Artificial intelligence and cloud computing may dominate today’s tech headlines, but their true power lies deep underground — in the data centers that fuel the world’s digital infrastructure. As companies race to expand capacity to train AI models and support billions of daily transactions, a quiet group of professionals ensure that every system runs flawlessly: technical program managers (TPMs).
They are the unsung heroes behind the delivery of the world’s most advanced data centers — individuals who bring order to chaos, align global teams, and ensure that when innovation reaches the customer, it’s stable, scalable, and sustainable.
The New Backbone of the Digital World
The rise of AI has placed unprecedented pressure on data center development. Facilities once designed primarily for storage and networking must now handle real-time computation for massive AI workloads. The International Energy Agency estimates that global data center energy demand could double by 2030.
This surge presents not only a construction challenge but also a coordination one — and that’s where technical program managers excel.
Sitting at the intersection of engineering, operations, and business strategy, TPMs ensure that data centers are built and delivered efficiently. They oversee everything from project planning and risk assessment to system testing and go-live coordination — transforming complex designs into functioning global assets.
Turning Complexity into Execution
Kevwe Onome-Irikefe, a technical program manager with over seven years of experience spanning startups and multinational technology firms such as Google, represents this new generation of infrastructure leaders. With a background in data engineering and analytics, she has built her career on ensuring systems deliver reliability at scale.
“Building a data center isn’t just about hardware and power,” she explains. “It’s about building systems of trust. Every decision — from how we test our data pipelines to how we validate system uptime — affects the performance of entire products people depend on every day.”
Her ability to combine technical fluency with strategic execution allows her to bridge teams across disciplines and continents. “You might be reviewing construction progress in one time zone while resolving data testing issues in another,” she adds. “It takes structure, speed, and empathy to keep everything moving forward.”
Coordinating the World’s Most Complex Projects
Few environments test a leader’s skill like a global data center project. TPMs manage stakeholders across engineering, networking, energy, and software operations — each with different priorities and dependencies.
For Onome-Irikefe, who has worked with teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, this complexity is both a challenge and an opportunity. “Working internationally means understanding not just technical requirements but also the cultures of the teams you’re managing,” she says. “Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from communication, not computation.”
Her global mindset was forged early in her career. Starting in Nigeria’s fast-growing technology ecosystem as a data analyst intern, she learned the value of persistence and adaptability. After earning her master’s degree in Business Analytics from the University of Rochester, she transitioned into data engineering and later program management — helping to drive large-scale initiatives that keep critical systems running worldwide.
The Hidden Leadership Driving AI Infrastructure
Behind every AI model, search engine, and streaming platform lies a network of data centers humming with activity. The coordination required to bring these facilities online — ensuring everything from power delivery to software readiness — often depends on TPMs.
Yet their work is frequently invisible. “When a data center powers on successfully, no one sees the hundreds of people who made it possible,” Onome-Irikefe notes. “TPMs connect all those moving parts and people — from network engineers to software reliability teams — and make sure they deliver as one.”
As AI continues to advance, the stakes are rising. Modern data centers must not only scale rapidly but also meet ambitious sustainability and reliability targets. Many TPMs now lead initiatives in renewable energy integration, predictive maintenance, and data-driven operations management.
“AI is changing how we manage infrastructure,” Onome-Irikefe observes. “We’re seeing early stages of self-monitoring systems that can predict failures before they happen. But even with automation, TPMs remain critical — someone must design, validate, and manage these intelligent systems responsibly.”
Unsung No More
Industry analysts agree that the TPM’s role is evolving from project coordination to strategic infrastructure leadership. Gartner predicts that organizations investing in technical program management for infrastructure projects will deliver new capacity up to 40% faster than competitors who don’t.
Still, the role often lacks public recognition despite its growing impact. “TPMs are the connective tissue of global technology,” Onome-Irikefe says. “We might not always be visible, but without program structure, collaboration, and accountability, even the most brilliant innovations can stall.”
For aspiring professionals seeking to build a career in technical program management, her advice is both practical and empowering:
“Learn the language of both engineers and executives. Be curious about how things work — and how decisions are made. The best TPMs don’t just manage timelines; they manage understanding.”
She adds that mastering the fundamentals of data systems, communication, and stakeholder management can open doors to some of the most impactful work in technology today. “If you can combine technical depth with the ability to lead complex programs, you’ll always be in demand.”
As the world’s demand for data and computing accelerates, the people ensuring that AI’s foundation remains strong are finally getting their due. Behind every gleaming innovation stands a network of infrastructure — and behind that, a technical program manager making sure the world keeps running.
Quick Facts: What Does a Technical Program Manager Do?
The Bridge Between Tech and Business: TPMs translate complex engineering work into clear, strategic goals — and vice versa.
Pipeline and System Reliability: They design, manage, and oversee data pipelines, testing frameworks, and monitoring systems that keep technology running smoothly.
Cross-Functional Leadership: TPMs coordinate across engineering, product, design, and executive teams to ensure alignment and delivery.
Global Collaboration: Many TPMs work across time zones and cultures, requiring exceptional communication and adaptability.
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