How to apply for Program Manager Facility Design, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm with data center teams across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The company describes its work as building sustainable legacies through infrastructure and environmental solutions. The data center practice is a leadership area for AECOM, which means this role sits inside a business the company is actively investing in.

About the role

This is a program manager role focused on hyper-scale data center design. You will lead major proposal efforts, manage strategic client programs, and oversee high-value design projects. The role is remote but requires occasional travel for client meetings and project milestones. It sits at the intersection of business development and project delivery, so you will be both client-facing and accountable for execution.

A typical day

A typical day could include a client call on a strategic data center program, a review of a major proposal in progress, and coordination with design teams in different regions. You would balance business development work with oversight of active design projects. Travel days would be scheduled in advance for client meetings or key project milestones.

Who AECOM is looking for

• Has direct experience managing hyper-scale data center programs, not just general construction or facilities projects
• Has led proposal efforts and business development for large design or consulting engagements
• Can manage strategic client relationships across time zones and global teams
• Is comfortable working remotely while traveling occasionally for client meetings and key milestones
• Has a track record of delivering high-value design projects on schedule and within scope

Tips for this application

• Name specific hyper-scale data center projects you have managed, including scale (MW, square footage, or campus size) and your exact role.
• Quantify proposal wins and contract values you contributed to, since the role explicitly includes leading major proposal efforts.
• State your experience with design-phase delivery, not just construction or operations, because this is a facility design program manager role.
• Confirm you can work from a U.S. location where AECOM has an office, since the posting says remote but based out of a U.S. office.
• Address the travel expectation directly in your application. Acknowledge you can travel occasionally for client meetings and milestones.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience with hyper-scale data center design programs and the scale of those projects.', 'A concrete example of a major proposal you led and the outcome, since business development is part of this role.', 'How you manage strategic client programs across global teams and time zones.', 'Your ability to work remotely while staying accountable for delivery and traveling when needed.']

Research before applying

• AECOM's data center practice and any publicly listed hyper-scale data center projects or clients.
• AECOM's U.S. office locations to confirm which one you would be based from.
• AECOM's recent annual report or investor materials for how the data center business fits into company strategy.
• The backgrounds of AECOM's data center leadership in the Americas to understand who you would work with.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a hyper-scale data center program you managed from proposal through design delivery.
• How do you handle a strategic client whose requirements change mid-design?
• Describe a proposal effort you led. What was your role and what was the result?
• How do you coordinate design teams across multiple regions and time zones?
• This role is remote with occasional travel. How do you stay effective and visible to clients and internal teams?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a general program management resume without naming specific data center projects or hyper-scale experience.
• Ignoring the business development aspect of the role and only talking about project execution.
• Not addressing the remote-plus-travel setup, which could make the employer question whether you understand the working model.