Senior Program Manager

Volkert Inc.

Baton Rouge (LA)

On-site

USD 130,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer match

PTO & Holidays

Life/AD&D insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Wellness incentives

Job summary

Volkert Inc. in the Gulf Region seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead data center programs in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, or Texas.

You will drive full lifecycle delivery, focusing on MEP coordination, modular construction, and licensing compliance to deliver 50–100MW facilities. The role requires a bachelor’s in Construction Management or related field and 10+ years in commercial construction, with 5 years in Mission Critical/Data Center environments.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Electrical Engineering or related field.
10+ years of commercial construction experience; 5 years in Mission Critical/Data Center environments.
Strong knowledge of Louisiana licensing requirements and environmental regulations.
Experience coordinating MEP-heavy projects and using BIM for schedule de-risking.
Proficiency with project controls, reporting, and PM tools; ability to travel.

Responsibilities

Direct planning and execution of data center builds with compressed delivery timelines.
Develop and manage budgets, cost controls, and integrated schedules across multiple phases.
Coordinate with design, permitting, site development, and construction teams using BIM.
Oversee long-lead procurements and critical equipment interconnections.
Act as liaison among engineering teams, contractors, utilities, and grid operators.
Ensure compliance with Louisiana licensing and environmental regulations; manage permits.

Skills

MEP coordination

Project management

BIM

Procore SMiC

Owner's representative

Budgeting & reporting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Civil/Electrical Engineering

LSLBC Licensure knowledge

Tools

BIM software

PM software

Scheduling tools

Job description

Are we the road to your future?

We are currently searching for an experienced Senior Project 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, a 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:

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

Key Benefits: