Senior Program Manager - Data Center Construction

Company Description Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us. Job Description AECOM is seeking a Program Manager - Data Center Construction. This role will operate at cross section between multiple divisional personnel, senior leadership, program management, and key stakeholders. Key focus areas include: Program Management and Staff Advancement Develop Best practice implementation for scalable teams Program governance with seamless change management Employee Development Strategic Planning and Organizational Structure Streamlined delivery through defined process management Program maturity through continuous improvement Business Development Opportunity assessment and proposal management Client development and stakeholder alignment Industry knowledge and technology solutions This role will provide senior leadership and strategic oversight for the successful delivery of mission critical programs to include data center projects. The role has been established to strengthen leadership readiness for critical data center pursuits and a create structured organizational approach to program management. This role operates at the intersection of business development, client management, and project delivery, ensuring that client pursuits are competitive, programs are executed efficiently, and financial and operational objectives are achieved. Partner closely with executive leadership, program managers, client account managers, and discipline leaders to support revenue growth, client satisfaction, and operational excellence across mission critical and data center construction programs. This position is ideal for a highly organized, business-minded leader with deep experience in managing complex data center/mission critical construction programs and supporting major proposal pursuits. The role sets the overall direction for the program, establishing the governance structures, delivery environment, and management systems required to achieve client, project, and AECOM overall outcomes. As the lead for program-wide integration and performance, supports functional leads across all aspects of delivery to ensure coordinated, safe, compliant, and efficient execution. The role promotes innovation, technology integration, and sustainability while fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and safety-led culture. The Mission Critical lead contributes to talent development, capability building, and organizational knowledge sharing within AECOM’s mission critical program management sector. Key Responsibilities Provide senior leadership and strategic direction across the mission critical program lifecycle, ensuring alignment with project objectives, client needs, regulatory requirements, and organizational priorities. Establish and maintain robust program governance frameworks to enable effective decision-making, assurance, and executive oversight. Direct and integrate senior delivery leaders accountable for technical, commercial, operational readiness, stakeholder, and systems delivery across the program. Lead, coach, and develop program leadership and delivery teams, supporting high performance, capability development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer. Proactively identifies potential program problems or opportunities, analyzes the issues using all appropriate resources, develops alternatives and arrives at the most optimum approach to mitigate problems or exploit opportunities. Leads cross-functional teams and coordinates activities across multiple departments to ensure program objectives are met. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and executive leadership. Implements and oversees risk management strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate potential program risks. Drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance program management processes and methodologies. Travel expected to align with client and/or program requirements. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree + 10 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education, including 2 years of leadership experience. Proven experience delivering programs within mission critical environments, managing complex data center construction. Demonstrated capability integrating multidisciplinary teams across technical, project delivery, and stakeholder management functions. Professional program or project management certification or equiavlent. Demonstrated ability to build and mentor teams. Experience with managing Mission Critical/Data Center construction projects and fast paced environments. Relevant experience leading contacts, managing people, budgets, schedules, overseeing subcontractor performance, and working with stakeholders and governing agencies. Demonstrated business development proficiency through program growth, proposal management, client development, and stakeholder alignment. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with hyperscale mission critical/data center construction projects. PMP or similar certifications preferred. 20 years of related experience. Strong understanding of quality and safety culture, regulatory compliance, assurance, and governance expectations. OSHA 30 certification with experience creating a strong safety culture. Additional Information Sponsorship is not available now or in the future for this role. Relocation assistance may be available for this role. At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment. About AECOM AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. What makes AECOM a great place to work You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. State/Province: Virginia Business Group: DCS Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc Business Line: PPM Work Location Model: On-Site Operating Group: Americas Primary Location: US - Arlington, VA - 3101 Wilson Blv Compensation: USD 190000 - USD 225000 - yearly