Data Center Program Manager

Description

The candidate will be responsible for managing all phases of project execution, from site planning and entitlement through design, construction, and commissioning, while integrating advanced digital tools to drive smarter, faster, and more sustainable solutions. The candidate must be able to establish contacts within the industry, source leads, write proposals, and lead multidisciplinary projects in the Data Center industry.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships through consistent communication and delivery excellence.
• Mentor and manage multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Support recruiting and retention efforts for mission-critical staff.
• Advocates for ethical behavior in the practice of engineering and assesses courses of resolution to ethical dilemmas in complicated situations.
• Develops risk mitigation plans to address project risks.
• Evaluates effectiveness of leaders and teams.
• Frequently performs advisory or consulting work for the practice across broad project areas or within a specialized area with innovative/complex aspects.
• Work on high-impact projects with top-tier clients in the tech and telecom sectors.
• Makes decisions with broad influence on activities of their practices.
• Lead the development of services across the project lifecycle, including site planning, zoning, plus site, water and power engineering for the facilities.
• Provides leadership and develops and engages others to create a common vision for their projects and the practice.
• Assesses practices and requirements to achieve sustainable performance of complex engineering projects from a systems perspective.
• Leads an entire project of critical importance.
• Assesses the acceptability of engineering economic analyses and the risks associated with solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Lead sales and marketing efforts for Data Center / Mission-critical efforts
• Represents their practice at important functions and conferences.
• Instills and fosters professional attitudes within the practice.
• Collaborate with internal GAI specialists and digital transformation teams to pilot new tools and workflows.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and standards in the mission-critical sector.
• Develop and manage scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Represent the firm in client meetings, industry events, and thought leadership forums.
• Evaluates solutions to complex problems that involve multiple specialty areas of engineering.
• Lead the full lifecycle of data center projects, ensuring alignment with client goals, technical standards, and budgetary constraints.
• Develops practice strategy for staff development through mentored experience, continuing education, and self-development.
• Support proposal development, fee negotiations, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Promote career development and technical excellence across the team.
• Coordinate internal and external resources to meet project milestones.
• Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations that are conclusive and have a far-reaching impact on the practice and the industry.
• Develops projects needed for accomplishing the objectives of the practice.
• Evaluates project management plans for complex engineering projects.
• Negotiates critical and controversial issues with leadership of other practices.

Requirements

Communication, Teamwork and Leadership

Related Experience

Driver's License

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Data Center Project/Program Manager to lead the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary data center and mission-critical projects across Texas and Columbus, OH. This role combines technical leadership, client engagement, and team development with a forward-thinking approach to innovation—leveraging a comprehensive service offering from our Transportation & Infrastructure and Power & Energy Business Units to provide complete solutions for our clients.

• Thrive in an inclusive, employee-empowered culture that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Driver's License
• 20+ years of experience.
• Experience with hyperscale or colocation data center projects.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with Newforma, ProjectWise, or similar project management tools.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License, reciprocity in multiple states.
• Experience integrating CAD, BIM, and AI tools into design or project workflows.
• Ability to travel as needed to client sites and project locations.
• B.S. or M.S. Engineering, Master's Degree or Equivalent Experience Preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• At least 2 years of direct project management experience.
• Demonstrates a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding projects and activities of major consequence.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in data center or mission-critical project delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary - GAI is committed to paying market-based salaries
• Access a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) match, paid time off, and performance bonuses.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Generous Paid Time Off and 7 paid holidays
• New paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption program
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, company paid Long Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability (benefits start within 30 days of hire)
• Enjoy flexible work arrangements (remote/hybrid options available).
• 401k company match

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance