Senior Program Manager

Volkert Inc.; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) + match

PTO & holidays

Life/AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Wellness incentives

Student Debt Retirement Match

Job summary

Volkert Inc. is recruiting an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead full lifecycle data center projects in the Gulf region with emphasis on MEP coordination and modular delivery.

This role requires deep regulatory knowledge for Louisiana, strong budgeting, and leadership across design, permitting, and construction phases. The ideal candidate has a decade of commercial construction experience, including 5 years in mission-critical environments, and will oversee procurement, scheduling, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of commercial construction experience, with 5 years in Mission Critical/Data Center environments.
• Knowledge of Louisiana licensing and environmental regulations.

Responsibilities

• Direct the planning and execution of data center builds with compressed delivery timelines.
• Develop and manage project budgets, costs, and integrated schedules across all design and construction phases.
• Utilize BIM and project management tools to de-risk schedules and manage modular components.
• Oversee long-lead procurement cycles for critical equipment (transformers, switchgear, generators).
• Coordinate engineers, designers, construction partners, utilities, and grid operators as the owner’s liaison.

Skills

MEP coordination

Project management

BIM

Budgeting

Regulatory licensing

Stakeholder mgmt

Modular construction

Education

Bachelor's degree in CM/CE/EE

Tools

Procore

SMiC

Job description

Are we the road to your future?

We are currently searching for an experienced Senior Program Manager to support our Program Management department within our Gulf Region located in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, or Texas.

The Senior Project Manager will lead the full lifecycle of hyperscale and edge data center projects within the State of Louisiana. This role requires a technical expertise in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) coordination, modular construction techniques, and deep knowledge of Louisiana-specific commercial licensing and environmental regulations. You will be responsible for delivering facilities that ~50-100MW power envelopes while managing complex utility interconnections and local stakeholder resistance.

To be considered for this position, applicants must have, at minimum, bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Electrical Engineering or related field and 10+ years of experience in commercial construction, with 5 years dedicated to Mission Critical/Data Center environments.

What you'll be doing:

Project Execution & Schedule Management

• Direct the planning and execution of data center builds, with a focus on compressed delivery timelines.
• Develop, lead, and maintain project and master program budgets, cost controls, and integrated schedules across design, permitting, site development, and construction.
• Utilize project management tools and BIM (Building Information Modeling) to de-risk schedules and manage parallel production for modular components.
• Manage long-lead procurement cycles (12-18 months) for critical equipment like high-voltage transformers, switchgear, and standby generators.
• Act as the technical liaison between engineering teams, designers, construction partners, energy company stakeholders, utilities, and grid operators.

Regulatory & Louisiana Compliance

• Ensure all project activities comply with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) requirements for commercial projects exceeding $50,000.
• Navigate the evolving 2026 legislative landscape in Louisiana regarding AI infrastructure, water withdrawal permits, and natural gas utility interconnections.
• Oversee the acquisition of all local permits, including Parish-level zoning and state-level environmental impact assessments.

Technical Supervision

• Lead the coordination of high-density cooling integrations, including immersion cooling and cold plate systems.
• Supervise the installation of on-site Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and microgrid solutions to manage grid instability.
• Oversee commissioning (Levels 1-5) to ensure "five-nines" reliability upon handover.
• Oversee and coordinate architects, engineers, and construction managers throughout design and construction phases.
• Monitor and report progress toward project milestones across design, bid, and construction phases.

Financial & Contract Management

• Negotiate and manage subcontracts, specifically ensuring all electrical and mechanical subcontractors hold the appropriate Louisiana specialty licenses for work exceeding $10,000.
• Review and approve schedules of values, payment applications, change order requests, and supporting documentation on behalf of the owner and/or client.
• Prepare clear and accurate reporting on schedule, cost, risk, performance, and monthly project status, including participation in monthend reviews and billing cycles.
• Evaluate the impacts of scope changes on budgets, schedules, and fees; negotiate adjustments with the client as required.

What you need to have:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil/Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial construction, with 5 years dedicated to Mission Critical/Data Center environments.
• Must have a clear understanding of LSLBC Commercial Contractor requirements.
• Expertise in MEP-heavy projects (electrical substations, chilled water plants, UPS systems).
• Proficiency in modern construction tech stacks (Procore, SMiC, or similar platforms).
• Experience acting as an owner's representative or consultant-led program manager.
• Proficiency with project controls and reporting tools.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Volkert adheres to federal guidelines, which may include testing for substances such as marijuana. Please note that federal regulations may differ from state-specific guidelines.
• Regular travel expected to client sites and project locations.
• Site presence during active construction phases.
• Valid driver's license.
• A satisfactory motor vehicle report (MVR).

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience managing relationships with local Louisiana utility providers and community providers
• An existing Louisiana Qualifying Party status
• PMP, PE, or CCM certification

Why Volkert?

Volkert is employee owned and a Top 100 design firm, committed to providing clients with creative solutions for sustainability, including improvements to infrastructure, the environment, and natural resources. Founded in 1925, Volkert is celebrating a century of serving our employees, clients, partners, and communities. At Volkert, we pride ourselves on providing all of our employees with competitive compensation, positive work/life balance, and professional development opportunities, as well as fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace in all of our offices nationwide.

Key Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Medical, Dental, & Vision
• 401(k) retirement savings plan + employer matching
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays
• Employer-Paid Life/AD&D insurance
• Employer-Paid short-term disability and long-term disability
• Wellness incentives
• Student Debt Retirement Match
• Additional voluntary benefits

The words from our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas A. Hand, PE, capture best how you can make an impact while working for Volkert.

"For a century, Volkert has done meaningful work that improves our infrastructure and quality of life throughout our communities. We are proud of our one-hundred-year legacy and humbled by the opportunities ahead of us as we look forward to our next century of service. With our commitment to employee ownership and sustainable growth, you can build a career here that really makes a difference"

- Thomas A. Hand, PE, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

EOE-Race/Sex/Vets/Disabled

Volkert does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies or fee-based recruitment services.

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