Senior Program Manager & Key Client Lead, Data Centers

Ramboll • Arlington, VA

17h • $150,000 - $225,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ramboll is seeking a Senior Program Manager & Key Client Lead to own the integrated relationship, technical direction, and delivery agenda for a priority data center client in North America. The role combines senior client engagement, multidisciplinary program and project leadership, technical expertise in power infrastructure, and measurable responsibility for account growth. The role is hybrid and may be based in Seattle, Denver, Vancouver, Calgary, Arlington, Toronto, Boston, Syracuse, Chicago, or Houston.

The successful candidate will serve as the senior day-to-day client partner, translate the client’s multi-site development needs into a coordinated account and program plan, and mobilize capabilities across power systems, substations, interconnection, generation, and other Ramboll service lines. They will help develop and execute annual client plans, maintain a qualified opportunity pipeline, lead priority pursuits, and convert needs into profitable, repeatable work. The role leads project managers delivering mid-to-large multidisciplinary projects and coordinated portfolios, with accountability for scope, schedule, quality, budget, commercial performance, risk, and client outcomes.

The position also provides technical direction on complex data center power work, including power systems, substations, transmission, generation, and interconnection. It involves aligning teams across Ramboll’s service lines, influencing and securing resources across a matrix, coaching and mentoring project managers and technical leaders, and improving engineering standards, delivery practices, reusable tools, and digital deliverables. The role is expected to contribute to the growth and development of Ramboll’s North America data center and mission-critical power business.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of experience across project, program, client, or business management.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary projects or related portfolios and managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Expertise in a relevant power systems discipline and breadth to guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Understanding of power availability, utilities, substations, transmission, generation, load interconnection, and the effects of ISO/RTO processes on schedules and risk.
• Ability to build senior client relationships, develop account plans, win repeat business through proposals and negotiations, and explain technical and commercial issues clearly.
• Ability to work independently, bring together teams across disciplines and locations, and coach others.
• Experience improving practices or business results beyond a single project.
• Experience with CRM and project financial systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, energy, or power systems engineering, construction management, business, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience working with a data center developer, hyperscaler, or colocation provider; experience with other energy-intensive clients is also relevant.
• Experience with Maconomy or a comparable project financial platform.
• Advanced degree in a technical field or business.
• PMP certification.
• Professional Engineer licensure; equivalent program, client, and commercial leadership experience is also accepted.

Responsibilities

• Support the account team and help develop and deliver annual account and sales plans.
• Grow net sales from the named account by developing a qualified opportunity pipeline and converting opportunities into profitable work; align growth objectives with North America Energy leadership through the annual PDP/KPI process.
• Build relationships with the client’s development, engineering, leadership, procurement, real estate, sustainability, and operations teams.
• Raise Ramboll’s profile through client content, technical publications, workshops, conferences, seminars, and executive forums; share market insights and account lessons to inform strategy and service development.
• Keep CRM account, contact, activity, opportunity, positioning, pipeline, and sales forecast information current, and use agreed metrics to guide decisions and follow-through.
• Lead project managers delivering mid-to-large multidisciplinary data center infrastructure projects.
• Direct project managers, technical leads, subconsultants, and vendors to meet scope, schedule, quality, budget, and commercial goals.
• Use Maconomy and other Ramboll financial systems for project controls, forecasting, and reporting.
• Identify delivery and commercial risks early, pursue project opportunities, and resolve uncertainty through decisions, escalation, and corrective action.
• Lead project closeout, client feedback, and lessons learned to improve delivery and repeat business.
• Develop consistent practices, reusable tools, improved processes, and innovative digital deliverables to improve speed, quality, and scalability across the client account and data center portfolio.
• Align Ramboll teams across Power Systems, Energy, Environment & Health, Water, Buildings, and other service lines around client priorities; influence across the matrix and secure resources without relying on direct authority.
• Coach project managers and technical leaders in client development, commercial judgment, risk, and executive communication; mentor disciplines and practice areas.
• Independently deliver or direct complex technical work and develop assignment scopes and budgets.
• Act as a data center power expert, directing complex or specialized power systems, substation, transmission, generation, and interconnection work.
• Review decisions, proposals, and deliverables for quality, technical viability, and achievable commitments.
• Improve engineering standards, reusable methods, and guidance based on lessons learned; develop solutions that address client objectives, risk, constructability, cost, schedule, permitting, and utility or ISO/RTO requirements.

Benefits

• Flexible work environment
• Investment in your development
• Leaders you can count on, guided by our Leadership Principles
• Be valued for the unique person you are
• Inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects
• The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company
• Comprehensive benefits package supporting well-being, professional development, and work-life balance
• Potential eligibility for bonus, overtime, or other forms of compensation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior