Data Center Pre-Construction Strategy Leader

Equinix, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 220,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The Senior Director, Data Center Pre-Construction Deliver Leader at Equinix will guide the front-end strategy for AMER construction projects, aligning with hub leads and cross-functional teams to accelerate capacity deployment and streamline pre-award through shell and core processes. This role emphasizes governance, cost control, and strong supplier relationships to drive consistent execution.

You will lead a team through pre-construction, GC management, permitting acceleration, and scheduling

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mission-critical construction and capital project delivery.
• 5+ years leading and mentoring professional teams in complex project delivery environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing general contractor relationships, negotiating major construction contracts, and delivering projects to cost and schedule objectives.
• Experience managing capital project budgets, cost performance, and commercial risk across large infrastructure or mission-critical construction programs.
• Strong understanding of data center construction delivery, procurement strategies, contract administration, and commercial delivery models.
• Proven ability to lead multiple concurrent projects or portfolios while driving operational performance, schedule, cost, and quality outcomes.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence executive leadership and cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the VP Construction AMER, the Senior Director will bring urgency to front-end activities in project delivery – and will espouse the principle that “Every Day Matters” to ensure that float is built and maintained for the fit-out and commissioning phases,
• Working with other Leaders in the Equinix GDC team to ensure that the priorities are aligned, executed and monitored
• Establishing checklist for pre-award and project setup
• Ensuring there is a consistent and right-sized GC organization structure
• Tracking GC selection & procurement of key subs & materials and an effective RIBA 5 (GC design) process
• Working closely with the Design team to accelerate permitting process and actively seeking opportunities to commence enabling works on the site earlier than we are currently achieving (speed-to-market focus)
• Maintaining standard of excellence for scheduling & productivity with focus on CS & site works, and harmonizing our processes to enable a predictable execution of our Shell & Core build
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal and external team members including staff, subcontractors, vendors, architects, and other industry professionals
• To ensure efficient and effective departmental performance including training, professional development, and career advancement opportunities
• Interview, hire, and assure effective training and development of the team
• Provide company subject‑matter expertise in areas of responsibility
• Reports status, successes, challenges and plans of action to management team and company on a timely basis
• Develop, manage and be accountable for achievement of key departmental metrics
• Provide leadership and direction in the areas of company construction policies, vendor relationships, accountability, training and employee development, subcontractor and supplier relationships, project and group profitability, and all other areas covered within and by this group all in order to achieve overall Company objectives

Skills

Team leadership

Contract management

Budget management

Data center delivery

Stakeholder management

Vendor relationships

Construction delivery

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related technical discipline

Job description

The Senior Director, Data Center Pre-Construction Deliver Leader at Equinix will guide the front-end strategy for AMER construction projects, aligning with hub leads and cross-functional teams to accelerate capacity deployment and streamline pre-award through shell and core processes. This role emphasizes governance, cost control, and strong supplier relationships to drive consistent execution.

You will lead a team through pre-construction, GC management, permitting acceleration, and scheduling