Director of Data Center Construction

Worldwide Mission Critical is a global owner's representation and project management company dedicated to the mission-critical industry. We specialize in helping companies deliver data centers on time and under budget. Founded on the principle that a team of experienced data center professionals can deliver exceptional projects, we provide comprehensive oversight across all aspects of a project, ensuring success from inception through completion.

Summary

The Director of Construction leads the teams that manage and coordinate all phases of data center construction project execution. Although focused on the tactical phase of built environment delivery, the Director of Construction also actively assists in driving progress during and throughout initial development and due diligence, continuing through design, procurement, and preconstruction. This key leadership position ensures the successful delivery of projects by maintaining oversight of project execution, managing project teams, and nurturing client relationships. The Director of Construction drives results through effective leadership, risk management, contract negotiations, and financial oversight, ensuring that all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with quality and safety standards.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Travel: 50% travel required.
• Relationship Management: Develop and maintain long-lasting relationships with clients, the design community, authorities having jurisdiction, equipment vendors, specialty trades, general contractors, commissioning agencies, and all other key stakeholders to drive business development opportunities that enhance project success.
• Team Development: Lead and build high-performance project teams through supervision, training, coaching, and mentorship.
• Risk & Compliance: Set rigorous expectations for progress evaluation, risk identification and mitigation strategies to ensure that delays, cost overruns, quality deficiencies, and safety hazards are proactively controlled. Additionally, a high priority shall be focused on ensuring strict adherence to ethics and compliance requirements on all projects.
• Contract Lifecycle Administration: Partner with Ownership, legal counsel, and all key project stakeholders to draft, review, negotiate, execute, and manage construction contracts.
• Budget & Financial Management: Oversee the teams' project budgets, application for payment review, expense tracking, cash flow forecasting, and nimble change management processes to ensure that the Owners' capital investments are protected and efficiently allocated. Monitor and manage financial performance to meet project goals and client expectations.
• Scheduling & Resource Allocation: Oversee the teams' development of the master project schedules. Track progress and manage project timelines to ensure on-time delivery. Highlight areas of risks and provide guidance for effective solutions.
• Safety Leadership: Enforce safety protocols and ensure the project team adheres to safety standards throughout all phases of construction.
• Multi-Project Management: Lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring effective coordination between internal and external teams supporting the data center projects.
• Process Oversight: Ensure comprehensive project management through the various phases, including:
  • Project Setup Phase: Oversee new project setup, manage client contracts, and establish project framework.
  • Feasibility/Site Selection Phase: Manage client communication, produce required reports, and support site selection and feasibility assessments.
  • Due Diligence/Master Planning Phase: Coordinate consultant procurement, manage initial budget and schedule development, and engage with utilities and authorities.
  • A/E Procurement Phase: Lead the RFP process, manage proposal evaluations, and negotiate contracts with consultants and vendors.
  • Design Management Phase: Ensure effective design coordination, manage schedules and design reviews, and facilitate communication with the client and stakeholders.
  • GC Procurement Phase: Oversee the procurement of general contractors, including RFP development, proposal evaluations, and contract negotiations.
  • Construction Management Phase: Manage contractor performance, lead design team coordination, ensure QA/QC standards are maintained, and monitor schedule and budget adherence.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of project setup, including new project initialization and client contract management.
• Experience in client communications, report production, site selection, and feasibility studies.
• Deep knowledge of AIA form documents including contractor and consultant agreements, as well as applications for payment.
• Knowledge of mission critical equipment procurement, schedule coordination, manufacturing, shipment, site acceptance, QA/QC evaluations, installation, commissioning/energizing, warrantying, training, and operational acceptance.
• Mastery of data center budget and schedule development.
• Proficient in customizing, issuing, and managing RFPs for architects, engineers, general contractors, trade contractors, commissioning agents, third party inspectors, and other key stakeholders proposal submissions to drive effective cost leveling, contract negotiations, and ultimately, exercise close outs.
• Ability to oversee design coordination, manage design schedules, facilitate client and consultant communication, drive value engineering opportunities, and kick off preconstruction exercises to ensure aggressive, realistic costs and schedules.
• Proven ability to manage construction contractors, monitor schedules and budgets, enforce quality assurance, safety culture, and oversee commissioning processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Architecture, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in data center construction or mission-critical infrastructure projects with at least 5 years in a distinct leadership role.
• Minimum of OSHA-10. Selected candidate must complete OSHA-30 within the first 60 days of employment.
• PMP is not required but will be considered an impressive achievement.
• Understanding of Lean Construction Principles. Certification is not required but will be considered an impressive achievement.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale, complex projects from inception to completion.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of industry standards, safety protocols, and best practices in data center construction.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Procore, MS Project, Primavera).
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage project budgets effectively.