{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"a441c5de531b7532cd24d2e8","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a441c5de531b7532cd24d2e8","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a441c5de531b7532cd24d2e8","title":"Program Manager (Data Center Construction)","description":"ABOUT xAI\nxAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.\nABOUT THE ROLE:\nWe are seeking an experienced Program Manager (Data Center Construction) to lead our growing portfolio of data center and infrastructure construction programs. In this leadership role, you will oversee multiple Construction Project Managers and ensure the successful delivery of complex, mission-critical facilities that support xAI's AI supercomputing goals. You will serve as a key bridge between field execution, engineering, and executive leadership, driving program-level strategy, risk management, and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.\nThis is a full-time, primarily onsite role based in the Memphis, TN area, with flexibility for travel to support additional project sites across the US.\nKEY RESPONSIBILITIES:\nProvide strategic leadership and direct management to a team of Construction Project Managers\nOversee end-to-end execution of multiple large-scale construction programs, including pre-construction planning, site development, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover for data centers and supporting infrastructure.\nAlign program deliverables with xAI's broader infrastructure roadmap, AI compute requirements, and aggressive timelines through close collaboration with engineering, design, commissioning, operations, and executive teams.\nManage program-level budgets, schedules, resources, and risks; develop and maintain master schedules, forecasts, and contingency plans to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.\nAct as a senior owner's representative, managing relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, permitting authorities, and internal stakeholders.\nDrive standardized processes, best practices, and performance metrics (KPIs, dashboards, reporting) across projects while identifying and implementing value engineering, cost-saving opportunities, and innovations in construction means and methods.\nEnsure rigorous safety, quality, and compliance standards, including adherence to relevant codes, environmental regulations, and xAI's high-reliability requirements for mission-critical facilities.\nProactively identify and resolve cross-project issues, escalate appropriately, and lead recovery efforts when needed.\nSupport continuous improvement by mentoring teams, conducting lessons-learned reviews, and contributing to the evolution of xAI's construction program management framework.\nAdapt flexibly to evolving priorities in a dynamic, high-growth organization.\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS:\nBachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).\n10+ years of progressive experience in construction project/program management, with a strong focus on data centers, hyperscale facilities, mission-critical infrastructure, or large industrial projects.\n5+ years of direct people management experience, successfully leading teams of Project Managers, Superintendents, or similar roles.\nProven track record delivering complex programs on aggressive schedules and within budget in fast-paced environments.\nStrong technical knowledge across multiple disciplines (civil/site, structural, MEP, controls, commissioning) with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.\nExcellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to executive audiences.\nProficiency with construction management tools (e.g., Procore, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, MS Project) and data-driven decision-making.\nAbility to travel as needed and work flexible hours to support site operations.\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:\nExperience with data center or hyperscale construction (ground-up builds, MEP-intensive facilities, liquid cooling, power infrastructure).\nProfessional certifications such as PMP, CCM, PE, or LEED.\nFamiliarity with Memphis/Shelby County or similar regional permitting, codes, and construction practices.\nBackground in high-growth tech or industrial environments with a focus on speed, innovation, and operational readiness.\nDemonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and implement program governance in matrixed organizations.\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:\nSubject to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing, background checks.\nComfortable in active construction site environments (noise, outdoor exposure, ability to lift 25+ lbs).\nFlexibility for evenings/weekends as project needs dictate.\nxAI is an equal opportunity employer.\nxAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.","company":"XAI","rawCompany":"xai","city":"Memphis","state":"TN","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-04T08:39:02.189Z","occupations":[{"code":"11-9021.00","title":"Construction Managers","slug":"construction-managers"},{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"47-1011.00","title":"First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers","slug":"first-line-supervisors-of-construction-trades-and-extraction-workers"}],"industries":[{"code":"236220","title":"Commercial and Institutional Building Construction","slug":"commercial-and-institutional-building-construction"},{"code":"237990","title":"Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction","slug":"other-heavy-and-civil-engineering-construction"},{"code":"236210","title":"Industrial Building Construction","slug":"industrial-building-construction"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Manager (Data Center Construction)","description":"ABOUT xAI\nxAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.\nABOUT THE ROLE:\nWe are seeking an experienced Program Manager (Data Center Construction) to lead our growing portfolio of data center and infrastructure construction programs. In this leadership role, you will oversee multiple Construction Project Managers and ensure the successful delivery of complex, mission-critical facilities that support xAI's AI supercomputing goals. You will serve as a key bridge between field execution, engineering, and executive leadership, driving program-level strategy, risk management, and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.\nThis is a full-time, primarily onsite role based in the Memphis, TN area, with flexibility for travel to support additional project sites across the US.\nKEY RESPONSIBILITIES:\nProvide strategic leadership and direct management to a team of Construction Project Managers\nOversee end-to-end execution of multiple large-scale construction programs, including pre-construction planning, site development, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover for data centers and supporting infrastructure.\nAlign program deliverables with xAI's broader infrastructure roadmap, AI compute requirements, and aggressive timelines through close collaboration with engineering, design, commissioning, operations, and executive teams.\nManage program-level budgets, schedules, resources, and risks; develop and maintain master schedules, forecasts, and contingency plans to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.\nAct as a senior owner's representative, managing relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, permitting authorities, and internal stakeholders.\nDrive standardized processes, best practices, and performance metrics (KPIs, dashboards, reporting) across projects while identifying and implementing value engineering, cost-saving opportunities, and innovations in construction means and methods.\nEnsure rigorous safety, quality, and compliance standards, including adherence to relevant codes, environmental regulations, and xAI's high-reliability requirements for mission-critical facilities.\nProactively identify and resolve cross-project issues, escalate appropriately, and lead recovery efforts when needed.\nSupport continuous improvement by mentoring teams, conducting lessons-learned reviews, and contributing to the evolution of xAI's construction program management framework.\nAdapt flexibly to evolving priorities in a dynamic, high-growth organization.\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS:\nBachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).\n10+ years of progressive experience in construction project/program management, with a strong focus on data centers, hyperscale facilities, mission-critical infrastructure, or large industrial projects.\n5+ years of direct people management experience, successfully leading teams of Project Managers, Superintendents, or similar roles.\nProven track record delivering complex programs on aggressive schedules and within budget in fast-paced environments.\nStrong technical knowledge across multiple disciplines (civil/site, structural, MEP, controls, commissioning) with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.\nExcellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to executive audiences.\nProficiency with construction management tools (e.g., Procore, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, MS Project) and data-driven decision-making.\nAbility to travel as needed and work flexible hours to support site operations.\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:\nExperience with data center or hyperscale construction (ground-up builds, MEP-intensive facilities, liquid cooling, power infrastructure).\nProfessional certifications such as PMP, CCM, PE, or LEED.\nFamiliarity with Memphis/Shelby County or similar regional permitting, codes, and construction practices.\nBackground in high-growth tech or industrial environments with a focus on speed, innovation, and operational readiness.\nDemonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and implement program governance in matrixed organizations.\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:\nSubject to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing, background checks.\nComfortable in active construction site environments (noise, outdoor exposure, ability to lift 25+ lbs).\nFlexibility for evenings/weekends as project needs dictate.\nxAI is an equal opportunity employer.\nxAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.","datePosted":"2026-07-04T08:39:02.189Z","dateModified":"2026-07-04T08:39:02.189Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"XAI","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Memphis","addressRegion":"TN","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"a441c5de531b7532cd24d2e8"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/a441c5de531b7532cd24d2e8"}}