Data Center Owner’s Representative - Mission Critical

GBA; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Opportunities for training and professional growth

Job summary

GBA is looking for a Data Center Owner’s Representative to lead project oversight and advocate for the Owner during the design and construction phases. This role requires 7-10 years of experience managing large-scale construction projects, particularly within mission-critical environments.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Construction Management or a related field, with significant knowledge of MEP systems and strong leadership skills. This position involves regional and national travel across exciting project sites.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience managing large-scale construction projects.
• Direct experience overseeing projects $100M+ in value.
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for the Owner.
• Lead project meetings and align execution with Owner’s objectives.
• Oversee contractor’s execution of scope, budget, and schedule.

Skills

Project Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Technical Expertise in MEP

Conflict Resolution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Procore

MS Project

Primavera P6

Job description

Job: Data Center Owner’s Representative

Location: National Travel / Chicago / West Virginia

At GBA, we bring vision to life through collaboration, craftsmanship, and commitment. Our teams are driven by a shared passion for delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient projects that make an impact in the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Project Leadership & Oversight
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for the Owner throughout design, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
  • Lead Owner-side project meetings, steering committees, and milestone reviews; provide clear communication and direction across all project participants.
  • Align project execution with Owner’s business objectives, operational standards, and risk management policies.
• Design & Preconstruction
  • Participate in site selection, feasibility studies, and early due diligence.
  • Review design development documents to ensure alignment with Owner’s standards, resiliency goals, and scalability requirements.
  • Coordinate with A&E firms to validate constructability, operational maintainability, and compliance with code/industry standards.
  • Provide input on procurement strategy, contract structure, and bid evaluations.
• Construction Administration
  • Oversee the general contractor’s execution of scope, budget, schedule, and QAQC requirements.
  • Review and approve contractor submittals, RFIs, and change orders on behalf of the Owner.
  • Track schedule milestones, cost exposures, and contingency usage; escalating issues to Owner leadership with actionable recommendations.
  • Monitor safety performance and enforce strict adherence to site-specific safety and environmental protocols.
• Technical Oversight & Commissioning Support
  • Provide technical expertise in evaluating equipment submittals, installation practices, and integration of MEP systems.
  • Participate in factory witness testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities at Levels 1–5.
  • Ensure deficiencies are tracked, reported, and resolved through a structured QAQC and issue‑management system.
  • Support integrated systems testing to validate redundancy, failover, and sequence of operations.
• Financial & Contractual Controls
  • Monitor contractor invoices, pay applications, and progress reports to ensure financial transparency and accuracy.
  • Provide detailed reporting to Owner executives on budget performance, change management, and forecast‑to‑complete.
  • Enforce Owner’s contractual rights, warranty protections, and performance guarantees.
• Turnover & Operational Readiness
  • Ensure delivery of as‑built documentation, O&M manuals, commissioning reports, warranty binders, and training sessions for operations staff.
  • Support the smooth transition of the facility from construction to operations, ensuring readiness for day‑one occupancy and long‑term reliability.
  • Capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement of Owner’s data center delivery standards.

Qualifications

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related discipline. PE, PMP, CxA, LEED AP, or equivalent certifications strongly preferred.
• Experience
  • 7–10+ years of progressive experience managing large‑scale construction projects, with at least 5 years in mission‑critical/data center environments.
  • Direct experience overseeing projects $100M+ in value, with fast‑track delivery schedules.
  • Proven record of interfacing with Owners, A&E firms, general contractors, trade contractors, and commissioning providers.
• Technical Expertise
  • Strong working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, as well as civil/structural design and site development.
  • Familiarity with industry codes and standards (NEC, NFPA 70E, ASHRAE, ANSI/NETA ATS, SMACNA, IBC, ADA, OSHA).
  • Understanding of commissioning processes, testing protocols, and L1–L5 commissioning phases.
• Leadership & Communication
  • Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to resolve conflicts, manage competing priorities, and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Other Requirements
  • Ability to travel regionally/nationally to project sites as required.
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills; proficiency in project management and reporting tools (Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project, Primavera P6).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to navigate active construction sites safely.
• Ability to stand, walk, and climb stairs or ladders as needed.
• Capability to manage field‑based responsibilities across varying environments.

Travel

• Requires regional and/or national travel based on project assignments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life, accident, and disability coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness initiatives.
• Paid company holidays, floating holidays, and flexible time off.
• Opportunities for training, professional growth, and advancement.

Apply today and build your future with GBA.

At GBA, we are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer promoting diversity in our workforce by including all individuals regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or any other status protected by law.