Program Manager (Data Center Construction)
<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ABOUT xAI</span></strong></h3> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.</span></p></div><h3><strong>ABOUT THE ROLE:</strong></h3> <p>We are seeking an experienced <strong>Program Manager (Data Center Construction)</strong> 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.</p> <p>This 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.</p> <h3><strong>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Provide strategic leadership and direct management to a team of Construction Project Managers</li> <li>Oversee 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.</li> <li>Align 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.</li> <li>Manage program-level budgets, schedules, resources, and risks; develop and maintain master schedules, forecasts, and contingency plans to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.</li> <li>Act as a senior owner’s representative, managing relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, permitting authorities, and internal stakeholders.</li> <li>Drive 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.</li> <li>Ensure rigorous safety, quality, and compliance standards, including adherence to relevant codes, environmental regulations, and xAI’s high-reliability requirements for mission-critical facilities.</li> <li>Proactively identify and resolve cross-project issues, escalate appropriately, and lead recovery efforts when needed.</li> <li>Support continuous improvement by mentoring teams, conducting lessons-learned reviews, and contributing to the evolution of xAI’s construction program management framework.</li> <li>Adapt flexibly to evolving priorities in a dynamic, high-growth organization.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).</li> <li>10+ 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.</li> <li>5+ years of direct people management experience, successfully leading teams of Project Managers, Superintendents, or similar roles.</li> <li>Proven track record delivering complex programs on aggressive schedules and within budget in fast-paced environments.</li> <li>Strong technical knowledge across multiple disciplines (civil/site, structural, MEP, controls, commissioning) with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.</li> <li>Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to executive audiences.</li> <li>Proficiency with construction management tools (e.g., Procore, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, MS Project) and data-driven decision-making.</li> <li>Ability to travel as needed and work flexible hours to support site operations.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Experience with data center or hyperscale construction (ground-up builds, MEP-intensive facilities, liquid cooling, power infrastructure).</li> <li>Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, PE, or LEED.</li> <li>Familiarity with Memphis/Shelby County or similar regional permitting, codes, and construction practices.</li> <li>Background in high-growth tech or industrial environments with a focus on speed, innovation, and operational readiness.</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and implement program governance in matrixed organizations.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Subject to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing, background checks.</li> <li>Comfortable in active construction site environments (noise, outdoor exposure, ability to lift 25+ lbs).</li> <li>Flexibility for evenings/weekends as project needs dictate.</li> <li>xAI is an equal opportunity employer.</li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><em>xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our </em><em><a href="https://x.ai/legal/recruitment-privacy-notice" target="_blank">Recruitment Privacy Notice</a>.</em></p></div>