Technical Program Manager at OVERWATCH in Chicago, IL

About Overwatch Mission Critical

Overwatch is a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOB) certified through the national veterans business development council (NVBDC), offering construction professional services, talent acquisition, and general contractor for the mission-critical infrastructure industry.

Our mission is the construction and management of state-of-the-art data centers with the precision and reliability this industry demands. From high-end engineers to seasoned professionals, we deploy the people you need to get your data center off the ground. At Overwatch, it's more than a job. It's purpose.

Job Description

The Data Center Technical Program Manager (TPM) will lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale 25MW data hall deployments, overseeing the full lifecycle of tenant fit-out projects from pre-construction planning through commissioning and final operational turnover. This role requires a highly experienced program leader with a strong construction background and deep expertise in mission-critical infrastructure, capable of managing hyperscale or colocation data center projects with significant technical complexity. The TPM will be responsible for coordinating design, construction, bulk fiber implementation, conveyance systems, MEP integration, white space deployment, and operational readiness while ensuring schedule, budget, quality, and risk objectives are achieved. This individual will act as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders, contractors, technical teams, and executive leadership to drive successful infrastructure delivery. The ideal candidate combines field execution experience, technical fluency, and strategic program management to ensure timely and efficient deployment of mission-critical data center environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the team's on-site representative for safe data center construction, overseeing and reporting on project delivery.
• Lead full lifecycle delivery of data hall fit-out projects from pre-construction, design, procurement, and construction through commissioning and final turnover.
• Oversee all construction activities related to tenant improvements, ensuring alignment with design requirements, schedule milestones, and operational goals.
• Manage deployment of bulk fiber infrastructure, including routing, integration, quality assurance, and coordination with network and technical teams.
• Coordinate conveyance systems implementation, including material movement, logistics pathways, and infrastructure readiness to support large-scale deployments.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between owners, design consultants, general contractors, MEP trades, commissioning teams, and operations personnel.
• Develop and manage comprehensive master schedules, proactively identifying schedule risks and implementing recovery plans to maintain delivery timelines.
• Monitor budgets, procurement activities, and long-lead equipment to ensure cost controls and project financial objectives are achieved.
• Facilitate technical design reviews, change management, and risk mitigation processes to address project challenges and maintain quality standards.
• Oversee QA/QC processes, commissioning execution, integrated systems testing, and turnover activities to ensure mission-critical operational readiness.
• Provide executive-level reporting, stakeholder communication, and strategic oversight while driving issue resolution, program transparency, and successful project outcomes.

Area of Sub Specialty

• Mission-critical construction management
• Hyperscale or colocation data center builds
• Tenant improvement / fit-out execution
• Owner’s representative experience
• Schedule acceleration and recovery
• Commissioning and turnover
• Bulk Fiber
• Conveyance
• Power Distribution

Years of Data Center Experience

• Minimum: 6+ years in mission-critical construction, data center infrastructure, or technical program management
• Preferred: 10–15+ years in hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center environments
• Ideal Candidate: 12+ years with direct experience leading large-scale white space deployments, tenant improvements, or major infrastructure programs

Driver’s License Requirement:

For roles that require on-site presence or travel between work locations as an essential function of the position, candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license appropriate for the role and be eligible to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.

Communication Skills:

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment, including preparing written reports and documentation, conveying information clearly to team members, clients, and stakeholders, and responding appropriately to verbal and written communications related to job duties.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an active data center construction environment, encompassing both indoor and outdoor work settings. The role requires the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively in a dynamic environment that includes ongoing construction activity and evolving site conditions.

The work environment includes areas and temporary structures owned, leased, or controlled by third parties over which Overwatch may have limited or no control. Because the project remains under construction, certain areas of the site — including access routes, staging zones, and temporary structures — may not yet be fully ADA-compliant until construction is complete or those third-party areas are finalized.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods while navigating uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to drive between job sites and access all areas of an active construction zone, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, and construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, and site personnel, and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots, is required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage, and to observe site activity.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in and around active construction areas, which may include unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. These locations may contain uneven surfaces, limited accessibility, and other conditions typical of construction projects prior to final completion. Overwatch does not control and cannot modify accessibility conditions within areas, facilities, or temporary structures owned or managed by third parties.

Reasonable Accommodation:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, provided such accommodations do not create safety hazards, impede essential mobility within active work zones, or require modification of facilities not owned or controlled by Overwatch.

Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. Relocation assistance is available to support candidates transitioning to the location.

OVERWATCH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OVERWATCH considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.