Project Director - Data Center Construction

Our firm, a leading global EPC firm, is seeking a Project Director to join their team supporting robust Advanced Technology / Data Center projects in the U.S.

A Data Center Construction Project Director is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale data center projects from concept to completion, ensuring they meet budget, schedule, and quality standards. Key duties include managing budgets, contracts, and vendors; overseeing design coordination and constructability reviews; ensuring site safety and quality assurance; and maintaining communication between internal teams, external partners, and contractors. Qualifications typically include a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and extensive experience (often 15 years) in data center or mission-critical construction.

Key responsibilities

• Project oversight: Manage all phases of complex data center projects, including new builds and retrofits, to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Financial management: Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost-to-date variance reports. Review invoices and negotiate change orders with contractors.
• Vendor and contract management: Oversee the RFP process for architects, engineers, and general contractors, and manage contracts, performance, and negotiations.
• Design and construction coordination: Collaborate with the design team on constructability reviews and value engineering. Coordinate design, construction, and commissioning processes to ensure seamless handoffs.
• Stakeholder communication: Act as a primary point of contact and facilitate communication between all project stakeholders, including internal departments and external partners.
• Quality and safety: Implement and monitor site construction safety procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. Enforce quality assurance standards throughout the project lifecycle.
• Procurement and logistics: Work with procurement teams on equipment purchasing and delivery processes, ensuring equipment is delivered and installed as scheduled.

Typical qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• 15 years of experience in construction management, with at least 5 years in a distinct leadership role for data center or mission-critical projects.
• Proven experience managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Strong understanding of civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Experience with budget and capital management.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Lean Construction principles is often considered a plus.