Data Center Program Planner

Data Center Program Planner

AECOM

Bucharest, Romania

Role Overview

The Data Center Program Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and driving the integrated program plan for a portfolio of Data Center projects. Operating at a senior level, this role requires strong scheduling expertise, the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders, and the maturity to coordinate multiple complex projects with limited oversight.

The Program Planner ensures that resources, schedules, risks, and dependencies are aligned across the program, enabling predictable, coordinated delivery. This role is central to the operational success of the Data Center portfolio and requires a blend of technical planning capability, leadership presence, and program‑level thinking.

Key Responsibilities

Program Planning & Technical Excellence

• Develop, maintain, and continuously refine the integrated program plan covering all Data Center projects.
• Establish planning standards, sequencing logic, and schedule governance aligned with AECOM’s PDS and PMO frameworks.
• Apply advanced scheduling techniques (critical path, float analysis, EVM) to assess progress and forecast outcomes.
• Identify risks, constraints, and interdependencies across multiple projects; propose mitigation strategies.
• Ensure all program planning deliverables meet QA requirements and support APIC‑aligned project management.
• Provide planning inputs for proposals, bids, and client presentations.

Resource & Portfolio Coordination

• Select and coordinate resources for each project in collaboration with PMs, DMs, and discipline leads.
• Manage resource loading and forecasting across the program to ensure capacity aligns with demand.
• Support the Program Director in balancing priorities, sequencing work, and resolving resource conflicts.
• Ensure interdisciplinary coordination across engineering, design, procurement, and construction teams.

Stakeholder Influence & Leadership

• Operate with senior‑level confidence: speak up, challenge assumptions, and drive accountability.
• Influence PMs, DMs, technical leads, and external partners to maintain schedule discipline.
• Lead planning meetings, progress reviews, and coordination sessions across multiple regions.
• Communicate schedule status, risks, and impacts clearly to senior leadership and client stakeholders.
• Support business change initiatives and contribute to continuous improvement of planning processes.

Project & Program Delivery

• Support the Program Director in managing the lifecycle of multiple large, complex Data Center projects.
• Ensure alignment between project‑level schedules and the overall program roadmap.
• Drive a culture of financial responsibility by ensuring schedule accuracy supports cost and cashflow forecasting.
• Ensure scope changes are captured, assessed, and incorporated into the program plan.

Client & Internal Relationship Management

• Maintain regular communication with client representatives to validate planning assumptions and sequencing.
• Support major bids and proposals with planning strategies, schedule narratives, and delivery logic.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the Data Center program and advise leadership accordingly.
• Represent the planning function in client meetings, leadership reviews, and program governance forums.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Electrical or Mechanical engineering degree with at least 15 year's experience.

Preferred Profile

• Strong background in project planning, scheduling, or PMO roles.
• Experience in Data Center projects or large, complex technical programs.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent scheduling tools.
• Strong influencing skills; able to challenge constructively and drive alignment.
• Excellent communication skills; fluent in English.
• Ability to manage multiple teams and stakeholders across regions.

Leadership Competencies

• Inspires, develops, and motivates others; demonstrates strong coaching capability.
• Communicates clearly and openly; fosters transparency and collaboration.
• Champions integrity, safety, and ethical behaviors.
• Thinks strategically and challenges the status quo.
• Builds strong client and internal relationships; supports business development.
• Holds self and others accountable for performance and delivery.
• Leads confidently through ambiguity and change.