Deputy Program Director

About the role

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. We're not just building structures — we're helping our clients innovate and grow by designing, engineering, and executing the construction of their advanced manufacturing facilities that are changing our world. We have an opportunity for a Deputy Program Director to support our Data Center project in Spartanburg, South Carolina. As a Deputy Program Director, you'll join our collaborative team delivering a multi-billion-dollar data center project from concept through commissioning. Working closely with the Program Director, you will help lead all phases of project delivery, ensuring alignment across engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, and client stakeholders. We are seeking a proven leader who excels in complex project environments and is passionate about collaboration, execution excellence, and delivering results. In this role, you will support the overall management of project scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, and risk while helping drive successful project outcomes for one of the industry's most significant capital programs. As the Program Director's key partner, you will provide day-to-day leadership to project teams, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders, helping ensure seamless execution across all project functions. You will play a critical role in resolving challenges, maintaining project alignment, and supporting strategic and operational decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Success in this role requires the ability to build strong working relationships, communicate effectively with executive and project-level stakeholders, and lead teams through a fast-paced, highly demanding project environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Program Director in the execution and delivery of a multi-billion-dollar EPCM data center project.
• Assist in managing project scope, budget, schedule, quality, safety, and risk objectives.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, and startup activities to ensure project alignment and successful execution.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to project teams, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Monitor project performance and help drive achievement of cost, schedule, quality, and safety goals.
• Support project controls activities, including forecasting, earned value management, budget management, change management, and reporting.
• Facilitate communication and decision-making among project stakeholders and client representatives.
• Identify project risks and support development of mitigation and recovery strategies.
• Champion a strong safety culture across all project activities.
• Mentor Project Managers, Project Engineers, and other project team members.
• Support client relationship management and help ensure a high level of client satisfaction throughout project execution.
• Act on behalf of the Program Director as required and provide leadership continuity across project activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of experience managing EPCM, design-build, or large capital construction projects.
• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting or leading data center, mission-critical, advanced manufacturing, or other complex industrial facility projects.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects exceeding $500 million in construction value.
• Experience integrating engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Strong understanding of project controls, cost management, scheduling, forecasting, change management, and risk management.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the delivery of projects exceeding $1 billion in total installed cost.
• Previous experience as a Senior Project Manager, Project Director, Deputy Program Director, or similar leadership role.
• Experience working directly with hyperscale data center clients.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), or equivalent certification.
• Prior field construction experience.
• Experience managing projects through commissioning, startup, and turnover.

Benefits

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about — your health, well-being, security, and future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. Certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $166,000.00 to $228,300.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.