Data Center Project Executive

Daksta | Connecting Mission Critical Talent; Virginia; On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Daksta, a leading General Contractor specializing in mission-critical and data center construction in the United States, is seeking a Project Executive to oversee large-scale hyperscale developments. The role requires executive-level leadership across project teams, accountability for delivery, financial performance, safety and client relationships.

You will drive preconstruction through turnover, mentor senior professionals, partner with owners and design teams, and ensure projects meet

Qualifications

• 15+ years in construction with large-scale data center or mission-critical projects.
• Experience as senior GC leader or Project Executive.
• Proven ability to manage $100M+ projects.
• Bachelor's degree in CM/Engineering; PMP/CCM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership across multi-project delivery and client relationships.
• Oversee project budgets, schedules, safety, quality and profitability.
• Lead Project Directors, Project Managers and field teams to successful turnover.
• Develop execution strategies, change management and risk controls.
• Mentor and develop senior professionals, driving leadership pipelines.
• Collaborate with owners, design teams and subcontractors to meet contract goals.

Skills

Executive leadership

Project delivery

Data center construction

Budget management

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

Project controls software

Job description

Project Executive – Mission Critical / Data Centers

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Project Executive to join a growing General Contractor with a strong presence in the mission-critical and data center construction market.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of large-scale, complex data center construction projects across the United States.

The successful candidate will provide executive-level leadership across project teams, taking responsibility for overall project performance, including construction execution, financial management, scheduling, safety, quality, client relationships and operational delivery.

Working closely with clients, subcontractors, design teams and internal construction leadership, you will drive projects from preconstruction through construction, commissioning and final turnover, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with contractual and commercial commitments.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established construction leader with a proven background delivering large-scale hyperscale, colocation or mission-critical projects who is looking to take ownership of major developments and lead high-performing project teams.

The Opportunity

As Project Executive, you will provide executive-level leadership across multiple mission-critical projects or a major data center development.

You will act as the senior point of accountability for project delivery, overseeing Project Directors, Project Managers, Superintendents and other key members of the construction team.

You will be responsible for establishing project execution strategies, driving financial performance, maintaining client relationships, managing risk and ensuring all construction activities meet the highest standards of safety, quality and operational excellence.

You will also play a key role in developing client relationships, supporting business development opportunities and helping grow the company's mission-critical construction portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight across large-scale data center construction projects.
• Take overall accountability for project delivery, financial performance, schedule, safety and quality.
• Lead and manage Project Directors, Project Managers, Superintendents and wider construction teams.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, owners, subcontractors, architects, engineers and key stakeholders.
• Establish project execution strategies, delivery structures, reporting processes and performance expectations.
• Oversee project budgets, cost controls, forecasting, cash flow, procurement and commercial performance.
• Monitor project schedules, identify potential delays and implement recovery strategies where necessary.
• Manage contractual obligations, change orders, claims, risk exposure and commercial negotiations.
• Provide leadership across preconstruction, estimating, procurement, construction and commissioning activities.
• Ensure subcontractor performance, resource allocation and construction sequencing align with project requirements.
• Drive accountability across project teams and ensure consistent delivery against contractual commitments.
• Oversee safety programmes, QA/QC processes and compliance with company and client standards.
• Support business development, client retention and the identification of future project opportunities.
• Mentor, develop and retain senior construction professionals, building a strong leadership pipeline.

Preconstruction & Project Setup

• Provide executive oversight during preconstruction, estimating and project planning activities.
• Work alongside preconstruction teams to establish budgets, schedules, logistics and construction methodologies.
• Review contract documents, project specifications, scope requirements and client expectations.
• Identify construction risks, scope gaps, design challenges and potential commercial exposure.
• Oversee subcontractor procurement, bid reviews, scope levelling and trade partner selection.
• Establish project execution plans, staffing strategies, procurement schedules and reporting structures.
• Ensure project teams are aligned on scope, budget, schedule and delivery expectations before construction begins.

Construction Management & Project Delivery

• Oversee the full construction lifecycle of large-scale mission-critical and data center developments.
• Provide senior leadership across site operations, field supervision and project management teams.
• Ensure construction activities are delivered in accordance with approved drawings, specifications and contractual requirements.
• Monitor progress against baseline schedules, critical milestones and overall project objectives.
• Work closely with General Superintendents and Senior Superintendents to maintain productivity, sequencing and site execution.
• Oversee subcontractor coordination, labour planning, material procurement and construction logistics.
• Resolve major construction challenges, design conflicts, coordination issues and project constraints.
• Drive collaboration between field operations, project management, engineering and commissioning teams.
• Maintain accountability for project performance, ensuring issues are addressed proactively.

MEP & Mission Critical Infrastructure

• Provide executive oversight of complex mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) construction scopes.
• Ensure effective coordination between mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls and other critical infrastructure packages.
• Oversee the integration of mission-critical systems, including generators, UPS systems, switchgear, cooling infrastructure and power distribution.
• Drive accountability across MEP subcontractors, vendors and specialist trade partners.
• Ensure MEP installation, testing, startup and commissioning activities align with project schedules.
• Oversee resolution of technical challenges, design coordination issues and installation conflicts.
• Maintain a strong understanding of data center infrastructure, redundancy requirements and critical systems.
• Maintain overall accountability for project financial performance and profitability.
• Oversee budgets, cost reports, forecasting, earned value and financial reporting.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality and project requirements.
• Manage change management processes, subcontractor claims, client variations and contractual negotiations.
• Review subcontractor commitments, procurement strategies and commercial exposure.
• Work alongside project controls and commercial teams to ensure accurate reporting and financial accountability.
• Implement strategies to protect project margins and maximise overall project performance.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the senior relationship manager for key clients and project stakeholders.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with hyperscale data center owners, developers and colocation providers.
• Lead executive-level project meetings, progress reviews and commercial discussions.
• Manage client expectations and ensure project delivery aligns with contractual commitments.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and secure repeat business.
• Represent the company professionally throughout the project lifecycle.

Safety, Quality & Commissioning

• Maintain executive accountability for project safety performance and site compliance.
• Ensure project teams implement and maintain effective safety programmes.
• Oversee quality management systems, inspection processes and QA/QC procedures.
• Ensure construction activities meet client specifications, design requirements and industry standards.
• Provide leadership across system testing, startup, integrated systems testing (IST) and commissioning.
• Oversee project closeout, documentation, punch lists and final turnover.
• Ensure successful handover of fully operational mission-critical facilities.

What We’re Looking For

• 15+ years of construction experience, ideally within large-scale mission-critical or data center construction.
• Proven experience working for a General Contractor (GC) in a senior construction leadership position.
• Previous experience as a Project Executive, Project Director, Vice President of Construction, Senior Project Manager or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale construction projects valued at $100M+, preferably $250M–$1B+.
• Strong background in hyperscale, colocation, mission-critical or similarly complex construction environments.
• Experience overseeing multiple projects, large project teams and significant construction operations.
• Strong understanding of the complete GC project lifecycle, including preconstruction, estimating, procurement, construction, commissioning and turnover.
• Extensive knowledge of MEP systems, critical infrastructure and data center construction.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, contracts, subcontractors and commercial performance.
• Experience leading Project Managers, Superintendents, General Superintendents and wider project delivery teams.
• Strong client-facing skills with experience managing relationships with major data center owners and developers.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate project risks, resolve complex construction challenges and maintain project profitability.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline preferred.
• PMP, CCM or other relevant professional certification is a plus.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to step into a high-impact executive leadership position within the rapidly expanding mission-critical and data center construction market.

You will have the opportunity to lead major hyperscale and colocation developments, oversee established construction teams and play a significant role in the company's continued growth within the sector.

Rather than focusing on a single construction package, you will have responsibility for overall project performance, including financial results, construction execution, client relationships, team development and successful project delivery.

For an established GC leader looking to take the next step in their career, this represents an opportunity to influence major developments, build high-performing teams and play a key role in delivering some of the largest and most technically complex construction projects in the country.