Strategic Program Manager

Kele•Bartlett, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Program Manager owns the execution of Kele's most complex and highest-value customer programs, starting with data center programs. This role requires more than traditional project management; it involves mapping out the program, building the plan, and driving the organization to deliver. The environment is dynamic, and the individual must be able to define program requirements with commercial owners, translate commitments into actionable plans, and manage delivery across various departments including sales, engineering, procurement, manufacturers, panel builds, and customer approvals. This is a hands-on role that requires figuring out program needs and leading the day-to-day execution. The ideal candidate has a proven ability to drive outcomes, is organized, credible, holds others accountable across teams they don't manage, and can confidently communicate program status to customers.

Requirements

Approximately 8+ years in construction project management, with experience running large commercial, institutional, or mission-critical projects end to end.
Comparable experience in building automation, HVAC or M&E, or systems integration will also be considered.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business administration, supply chain management, project management, or a related field.
Demonstrated track record of driving complex projects to completion on deadline.
Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to build a plan from ambiguity and then drive it.
Proven ability to hold people accountable and drive cross-functional teams and outside parties without direct authority.
Highly detail-oriented, with disciplined documentation, scope control, and follow-through.
Proficiency with Jira or equivalent software tool for project and program management.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Customer-facing presence sufficient to represent programs credibly to major end-user accounts.
Comfort working across technical, commercial, and operational functions.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with data center construction or delivery environments.
Working knowledge of HVAC and building automation systems.

Responsibilities

Map out the strategy for Kele's data center programs end to end, including sequence of events, critical path, and risks across the delivery chain.
Partner with commercial owners to define Kele's commitments, ensuring they are grounded and achievable from an execution and deliverability perspective.
Test the feasibility of commitments during program scoping rather than reacting later.
Build and own the program plan, detailing sequenced work, assigned owners, realistic dates, and mapped dependencies.
Drive execution of the plan across cross-functional teams, organizing work, clearing blockers, and maintaining momentum on the critical path.
Hold owners accountable for their commitments and timelines through consistent follow-through and clear visibility, escalating issues to leadership when necessary.
Manage dependencies and changes proactively, identifying potential slippage early and proposing solutions.
Maintain program documentation, including plans, decision records, and status updates, to protect scope and timeline.
Keep commercial owners informed about anything impacting their end-user relationships.
Represent execution status credibly in read-outs with end users, detailing what is on track, at risk, and the plan to address issues.
Provide regular, clear updates to Kele leadership on program status, milestones, risks, and outcomes.