Operational Program Manager Jobs in Columbus, OH

The Program Manager will be part of the High-Density Liquid Cooling (HDLC) Team, which manages the testing, validation, and lab operations for thermal management products including direct-to-chip systems, immersion cooling, rear door heat exchangers, secondary fluid networks, and controls.

The Program Manager is responsible and accountable for the planning, execution, and delivery of lab-based projects and programs - including test environment buildouts, validation campaigns, equipment procurement and commissioning, lab infrastructure upgrades, and customer-facing test programs. This role coordinates the efforts of cross-functional teams (engineering, lab operations, procurement, facilities, quality, product management, and regional lab teams) to deliver projects on scope, schedule, and budget.

The Program Manager has no direct reports but will manage contributors indirectly across multiple functions and regions. Projects span multiple liquid cooling laboratories across different geographies.

The Program Manager must maintain continuous alignment of project scope with strategic business objectives, proactively identify risks or constraints that threaten project outcomes, and develop recovery plans when needed.

The context in which the Program Manager operates is characterized by complex relationships in an international and multicultural environment. The Program Manager must navigate ambiguity, foster relationships, and maintain communication with stakeholders at multiple levels - including external partners, customers, and equipment vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for HDLC lab projects, including test environment design and buildout, equipment installation, validation campaigns, and lab infrastructure improvements.

• Develop and execute project plans with clear timelines, milestones, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Coordinate cross-regional lab activities, ensuring alignment of schedules, resource sharing, and consistent execution standards across global lab sites.

• Drive cross-functional collaboration between engineering, lab operations, facilities, procurement, quality, and product management to deliver project objectives.

• Manage lab equipment procurement programs - from specification and vendor selection through delivery, installation, and commissioning.

• Plan and oversee customer test programs, coordinating lab resources, schedules, and deliverables to meet customer commitments.

• Track and report on project progress, budget utilization, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to stakeholders and senior management.

• Identify and proactively mitigate risks and issues that may impact project timelines, scope, or quality.

• Work with functional managers to identify and secure required resources to adequately staff projects.

• Support lab capacity planning by maintaining visibility into project pipelines, resource demand, and facility constraints.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, driving efficiency and standardization in lab project execution processes.

• Facilitate effective communication between regional lab teams, engineering, and leadership to ensure transparency on project status and priorities.

Requirement

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.

• Minimum 3 years' experience as a Program/Project Manager, leading programs or projects in a structured organization.

• Experience managing lab, test, or facilities-related projects preferred.

• Understanding of test and validation environments, lab infrastructure, or equipment commissioning processes.

• Proficiency in project management tools and software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet).

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams toward a common goal.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.

• Availability to travel up to 20% of the time.

• Experience in thermal management, data center cooling, or HVAC sectors preferred.

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv's Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.

OUR CORE PRINCIPLES: Safety. Integrity. Respect. Teamwork. Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• High-Performance Culture
• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

VERTIV BEHAVIORS

• Own it
• Act with urgency
• Foster a customer-first mindset
• Think big and execute
• Lead by example
• Drive continuous improvement
• Learn and seek out development
• Promote transparent & open communication

About Vertiv

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers' vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today's data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extend from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs around 34,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. Visit Vertiv.com to learn more.

Work Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email tohelp.join@vertiv.com.

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