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Ramboll

Senior Program Manager & Key Client Lead, Data Centers

Houston, Texas, US · Hybrid · Full-time

$150K – $225K

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About the role

Project ManagementCRMLeadership
Senior Program Manager & Key Client Lead, Data Centers Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Vancouver, BC | Calgary, AB | Arlington, VA | Toronto, ON | Boston, MA | Syracuse, NY | Chicago, IL | Houston, TX | Hybrid Are you a senior project and client leader who can deepen a strategic data center relationship while delivering complex power infrastructure programs? Do you want to shape an account strategy, originate and convert opportunities, and lead multidisciplinary teams from early site and power strategy through interconnection, design, and construction support? This role combines program delivery with executive client engagement and measurable growth responsibility for a priority data center account. If this sounds like you, join Ramboll’s Power Systems team in North America as our Senior Program Manager & Key Client Lead, Data Centers, and help expand a strategic client relationship while delivering the reliable power infrastructure required for sustainable growth. Your new team You will join Ramboll’s North America Power Systems team and work with specialists in substation engineering, protection and control, transmission, interconnection, power generation, civil/structural engineering, and energy strategy. You will also connect the named client to Ramboll’s broader global data center and infrastructure capabilities, combining local accountability with global technical depth. Your new role As Senior Program Manager & Key Client Lead, Data Centers, you will own the integrated relationship, technical direction, and delivery agenda for a priority data center client in North America. You will serve as the senior day-to-day client partner, translate the client’s multi-site development needs into a coordinated Ramboll account and program plan, and mobilize the right capabilities across power systems, substations, interconnection, generation, and other Ramboll service lines. Your work is expected to have direct and significant impact on Power Systems, the named account, and the relevant North America market. You will combine program and project management with technical and key-client leadership, with accountability for delivery performance, technical and commercial rigor, and account growth. You will help develop and execute an annual client plan, maintain a qualified opportunity pipeline, lead priority pursuits, and convert client needs into profitable, repeatable work that expands the strategic client relationship. You will lead complex delivery through other project managers, overseeing mid-sized multidisciplinary projects and a coordinated portfolio of assignments. Applying comprehensive power-sector knowledge, you will guide project managers and technical leads, strengthen delivery practices, and deliver consistent scope, schedule, quality, commercial, and client outcomes. Key account, sales, and market development - Support the account team and help develop and deliver annual account and sales plans. - Drive sustainable net sales growth from the named account by developing a strong, 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 across 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 North America data center strategy, planning, and service development. - Keep CRM account, contact, activity, opportunity, positioning, pipeline, and sales forecasts current. Use agreed metrics to guide decisions, follow-through, and growth.Program and project management - Lead project managers delivering mid-to-large multidisciplinary data center infrastructure projects. - With limited oversight, 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 controls, forecasting, and reporting. - Address delivery and commercial risks early, pursue project opportunities, and resolve uncertainty through decisions, escalation, and corrective action. - Lead closeout, client feedback, and lessons learned to improve delivery and repeat business. Develop consistent practices, reusable tools, better processes, and innovative digital deliverables that improve speed, quality, and scalability across the client account and wider data center portfolio.Technical expertise and internal collaboration - Align internal teams including Power Systems, Energy, Environment & Health, Water, Buildings, and other Ramboll teams 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 to build expertise, share knowledge, and support growth. - Independently deliver or direct complex technical work and develop assignment scopes and budgets. - Act as a recognized data center power expert, directing complex or specialized power systems, substation, transmission, generation, and interconnection work. Review others’ decisions, proposals, and deliverables for quality, technical viability, and achievable commitments. - Improve engineering standards, reusable methods, and guidance using lessons learned. Develop practical, innovative solutions addressing client objectives, risk, constructability, cost, schedule, permitting, and utility or ISO/RTO requirements. About you For this role, we are looking for a senior leader with the experience and credibility to manage a complex client relationship, deliver multidisciplinary programs, and achieve measurable business growth. Qualifications that will set you up for success include: - Project management experience: 10+ years across project, program, client, or business management, with success leading multidisciplinary projects or related portfolios and managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and client satisfaction. - Power engineering experience: expertise in a relevant power systems discipline and the breadth to guide multidisciplinary teams. Understand power availability, utilities, substations, transmission, generation and load interconnection, and how ISO/RTO processes affect schedules and risk. - Data center sector experience: direct work with a data center developer, hyperscaler, or colocation provider is strongly preferred; experience with other energy-intensive clients is also relevant. - Client leadership: build senior relationships, develop account plans, win repeat business through proposals and negotiations, and explain technical and commercial issues clearly. - Team leadership: work independently, bring together teams across disciplines and locations, and coach others. Show how you have improved practices or business results beyond a single project. - Business tools: experience with CRM and project financial systems; Maconomy or a comparable platform is strongly valued. - Education: a bachelor’s degree in electrical, energy, or power systems engineering, construction management, business, or a related field. An advanced degree in a technical field or business is a plus. - PMP certification and Professional Engineer licensure are valued but not required with equivalent program, client, and commercial leadership experience.What success looks like - The client recognizes you as a trusted senior partner who understands its business, anticipates needs, and connects the right Ramboll capabilities to priority challenges. - The named account has a current, actionable annual plan, broad relationship coverage, disciplined CRM data, and a healthy qualified pipeline aligned with the agreed annual sales target. - Priority pursuits are strategically positioned, well governed, and converted into profitable work at an improving win rate. - Projects across the account are delivered consistently, risks are surfaced early, financial performance is actively managed, and client feedback supports repeat business. - Ramboll teams collaborate around one client agenda, with clearer ownership, stronger cross-selling, and scalable delivery approaches across sites and service lines. - The role is recognized internally and by the client for combining credible technical leadership, disciplined program delivery, practical innovation, and measurable account growth. What we can offer you - 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 - Never be short of inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects - The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company - A visible leadership role in Ramboll’s growing North America data center and mission-critical power businessWork at the heart of sustainable change Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. We believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. That is where we start, and how we work. At Ramboll, our core strength is our people, and our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act. Being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. We embrace an inclusive mindset that looks for fresh, diverse, and innovative perspectives. Salary Transparency Statement At Ramboll, we are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices that support our people and our purpose of creating sustainable societies. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $225,000 yearly. This range reflects the compensation we reasonably expect to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and internal equity. Because we operate across multiple U.S. markets, pay may differ depending on the cost of labor in specific locations. In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for bonus, overtime or other forms of compensation and we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports well-being, professional development, and work-life balance. Our recruiters are happy to share more about the specific salary range and total rewards package applicable to your location during the hiring process. Where People Flourish Our mission is to create sustainable societies where people and nature flourish. This means that a culture of inclusion is embedded in everything we do.  Our people bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the company, enabling us to deliver innovative and forward-thinking solutions to our clients. We also know how important it is to achieve the right balance of where, when, and how much you work. At Ramboll, we offer flexibility as part of our positive and inclusive approach to work. We are committed to equal employment opportunity, regardless of age, disability or medical condition, gender identity, marriage and domestic partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ancestry, or national origin, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, military service and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Ramboll wants to ensure opportunities are accessible to candidates with disabilities. So, please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it more comfortable for you. You can contact us at [email protected] with such requests. How to apply Apply online. Attach your CV, cover letter and relevant documents showcasing why you are the right fit for the role, and when you are available to start. We look forward to receiving your application.