Data Center Construction Project Manager - Owners Rep

Gilder Search Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Gilder Search Group in Chicago, IL seeks a Data Center Construction Project Manager – Owner's Rep to oversee mission‑critical facility projects. You will coordinate with contractors, manage budgets and schedules, and lead multi‑project delivery with a focus on value engineering and client satisfaction.

Candidates should have 10+ years in data center construction, strong communication, and experience with MS Project, Primavera, and AutoCAD. Travel to sites will be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in data center construction.
• Experience managing budgets and schedules.
• Client-facing and relationship management experience.
• Familiarity with data center design processes and systems.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with contractors and vendors to manage daily activities.
• Ensure project duties are met by contractors and vendors.
• Manage multiple projects, negotiate contracts, create schedules.
• Develop plans: sizing, cost estimates, budgets, timelines.
• Assist with reporting and RFPs to contractors.
• Deliver Built‑to‑Suit projects with value engineering.
• Represent the company in project meetings.

Skills

Client-facing

Communication

Independent work

Administrative skills

Travel

Education

BA/BS preferred

AFCOM/ASHRAE membership

Tools

MS Project

Excel

P6 Oracle Primavera

AutoCAD

Job description

Data Center Construction Project Manager – Owner's Rep – Chicago, IL

This opportunity is with a leading provider of mission‑critical data center solutions as an Owner’s Rep for Construction Services. The firm provides a complete life cycle of solutions custom‑fit to the requirements of their client’s mission‑critical facilities. This role offers career‑growth, exciting projects, leading‑edge technology and innovation, as well as competitive salaries and benefits. They build mission‑critical facilities nationwide for Enterprise, Colocation and Hyperscale companies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain liaison with contractors and vendors to manage day‑to‑day activities that impact the delivery of critical facility construction projects.
• Ensure all day‑to‑day project responsibilities are met by contractors and vendors.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, including negotiating contracts, creating, and managing project schedules.
• Develop project plans – sizing, cost estimates, budgets, scheduling, timelines, and change order management.
• Assist with reporting and RFPs to contractors.
• Deliver Built‑to‑Suit projects with a heavy emphasis on value engineering.
• Drive company standards uniformly across all project participants on all projects.
• Manage financial aspects of contracts (progress billing, rental equipment, income/expenditures) to protect the company’s interests while maintaining good client relationships.
• Represent the company in project meetings.
• Act as key liaison with managers of all company departments.
• Maintain all logs required to track project progress.

Qualifications

• BA/BS preferred.
• Experience managing Data Center Construction Projects as an Owner or General Contractor.
• Experience managing a budget.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in the Data Center Construction Industry.
• Membership in professional organizations such as AFCOM, ASHRAE, and similar.
• Client‑facing, client‑relationship, and client‑management skills.
• Familiarity with the design process of building systems for data center and mission‑critical projects.
• Solid construction project management experience.
• Effective communication skills – email, phone, and face‑to‑face.
• Ability to work independently.
• Travel as needed to project sites.
• Solid administrative skills.
• Computer savvy: MS Project, Excel, P6 Oracle Primavera, AutoCAD (plus).
• Previous experience in the military or with military veterans is a huge plus.

Benefits

Company offers competitive salaries and a benefits package including medical insurance and a 401(k) plan.

EOE/AA Employer M/F/D/V