Job Title: Program Manager Datacenter Utility Power Infrastructure (Non-Technical 5)Job DescriptionThis role oversees complex datacenter utility power infrastructure projects, managing engineering scope, schedule, and budget for greenfield, brownfield, and retrofit initiatives. The Program Manager leads internal and external resources to deliver transmission, substation, and distribution projects that support datacenter capacity goals, from pre-programming through design development, construction, commissioning, and turnover to Operations. The position is based in Richmond in a hybrid on-site/remote work arrangement and offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with electric utilities and diverse internal stakeholder groups.Responsibilities
- Manage the full lifecycle of datacenter power infrastructure projects, including greenfield, brownfield, and retrofit engineering and design efforts, ensuring alignment with defined scope, schedule, and budget.
- Lead the facilitation and delivery of industry-leading datacenter power infrastructure solutions, including the development of new technologies and advanced concepts from pre-programming through design, construction, and turnover to Operations.
- Oversee multiple concurrent distribution, substation, and transmission projects, ensuring they support datacenter solutions and meet project milestones, performance standards, and budget targets.
- Serve as the single point of contact for the utility service provider for all utility scope, including transmission, distribution, and substation work as defined in project agreements.
- Coordinate and facilitate regular design and site progress meetings, at least once per week, with energy teams, datacenter design and construction stakeholders, and authorities having jurisdiction, using teleconference or in-person formats as needed.
- Develop and maintain a contact matrix that clearly documents roles, responsibilities, and contact information for all utility groups involved in the project.
- Ensure all utility and substation scope receives appropriate sign-off from designated engineering and energy project stakeholders, using digital approval tools such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign.
- Issue drawings for review and approval, and manage the document control process to ensure accurate recordkeeping in accordance with client direction.
- Document and track all tasks related to agreements, deeds, easements, and other requirements necessary for successful project completion on schedule.
- Produce weekly reports focusing on scope, schedule, budget, and critical path issues, and communicate risks, dependencies, and mitigation strategies to relevant stakeholders.
- Inform energy project managers of any missed or unclear scope, and verify that all work is within scope before authorizing work to proceed.
- Track purchase orders and provide regular reporting on remaining funding, typically at the 80% threshold, to support proactive cost control.
- Establish project budgets, cost estimates, and true-ups, including contingency and not-to-exceed parameters, and ensure change orders are fully executed before additional work begins.
- Route and document all new scope through a formal change management process to maintain financial and contractual control.
- Develop, publish, and maintain detailed project schedules using project management software, including establishing predecessors with zero float and identifying critical path activities.
- Determine and report weekly on critical path activities, schedule risks, and opportunities to improve schedule performance, advising energy project managers accordingly.
- Maintain and update actual progress on a monthly basis, ensuring that project schedules reflect current status and forecasted completion dates.
- Publish key milestones for both the client and utility partners, including design, estimating, procurement, construction, commissioning, and readiness for service.
- Verify long-lead equipment delivery dates, monitor on-track and on-site statuses, and communicate any changes that affect schedule or cost.
- Provide mitigation strategies and recovery schedules for delays, including assessment of associated cost impacts, and present options to stakeholders.
- Prepare and deliver weekly progress reports, including photographs, to energy project managers and other stakeholders to document site conditions and progress.
- Maintain project records and documentation through established document control processes, following client standards and requirements.
- Define and track key project milestones to evaluate both schedule and cost performance, including design finish, estimating completion, procurement completion, civil scope completion, material delivery, installation and commissioning, and construction finish.
- Conduct weekly site walks and document findings with photographs to support quality control and progress verification.
- Organize pre-construction site walks with all stakeholders to align expectations, review site conditions, and confirm readiness for construction activities.
- Verify that substation civil work is completed to utility specifications and escalate quality issues to energy project managers when necessary.
- Ensure all quality-related records are maintained through document control in accordance with client direction.
- Promote a strong safety culture where safety is treated as a core value, and reinforce that safety is everyones responsibility.
- Develop and submit energization safety plans for review and approval, ensuring safe commissioning and energization of utility and substation infrastructure.
- Coordinate pre-energization site walks with all stakeholders, including the on-site safety marshal, to confirm readiness and safety compliance.
- Prepare and submit methods of procedure in advance for coordination and collaboration with on-site teams, ensuring safe and orderly execution of high-risk activities.
- Verify that the general contractor has completed all required scope downstream of the yard before energization and commissioning activities begin.
- Lead and mentor teams of engineers and designers in advanced engineering and operational processes and procedures related to large datacenter environments.
- Collaborate effectively with electric utilities and internal stakeholders from various disciplines, including technical and non-technical groups, in a fast-paced environment.
- Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats, providing organized updates, documentation, and presentations to stakeholders.
- Demonstrate integrity, a methodical and detail-oriented approach, and a strong work ethic in managing complex projects and stakeholder expectations.
Essential Skills
- Extensive experience in project management, with demonstrated ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget for complex utility and datacenter power infrastructure projects.
- Experience in electrical engineering, with deep understanding of transmission, substation, and distribution systems.
- High level of proficiency in substation and transmission line design and construction, including greenfield, brownfield, and retrofit projects.
- Proven ability to lead and coordinate multiple utility provider teams of engineers and designers across concurrent projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly to diverse stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical groups, maintaining an even temperament under pressure.
- Demonstrated integrity, methodical and detail-oriented work style, and strong work ethic in managing critical infrastructure projects.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in consulting engineering or construction of substations.
- And/or a minimum of 5 years of experience as a lead engineer, design manager, or project manager for transmission or substation projects.
- And/or a minimum of 5 years of experience in datacenter engineering or construction.
- Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related field, or at least 10 years of experience in substation design and/or delivery.
- Ability to lead teams of engineers in advanced engineering and operational processes related to large datacenter environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Professional Electrical Engineer (PE) licensure is a plus.
- Experience with utility construction, substation construction, and substation projects.
- Experience with construction management and construction project management for utility and datacenter environments.
- Familiarity with GIS mapping tools to support planning and coordination of utility infrastructure.
- Proficiency with MS Operating Systems (Windows 10 or higher) and core productivity tools, including MS Office Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
- Experience using Bluebeam for drawing review and markup, and Primavera P6 for advanced project scheduling is highly desirable.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with electric utilities and internal stakeholders from various disciplines, fostering a cooperative and solution-oriented project environment.
Work EnvironmentThis position is based in Richmond and follows a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site presence at datacenter and utility project locations with remote work as appropriate. The typical schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The work environment involves frequent collaboration with electric utilities and internal teams across engineering, construction, and operations disciplines. The role requires the use of standard office technologies, including a computer running MS Windows 10 or higher, MS Office Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and GIS mapping tools, as well as Bluebeam and potentially Primavera P6 for candidates with relevant experience. On-site work occurs in active construction and utility environments, including substations and transmission/distribution facilities, where safety and compliance are paramount. Appropriate safety equipment is required, including a monitor, keyboard, headset, mouse, Class 2 safety helmet, Class 2 or higher safety vest, cut and impact resistant gloves, ANSI Z87.1 or higher safety glasses or visor, composite toe work boots made of leather or leather alternative that extend at least four inches above the ankle (no low-cut or sneaker-style footwear), and a Class 2 or higher reflective jacket suitable for cold and wet weather. The culture emphasizes collaboration, safety as a core value, integrity, and high-quality delivery of critical datacenter power infrastructure. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Sandston, VA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $75.00 - $85.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Sandston, VA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Sandston,VA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
