Data Center Project Manager

PLANIT Group; New Albany (OH); On-site; USD 76,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

PLANIT Group is seeking an experienced professional to lead large field teams and manage client relationships at a fully onsite data center construction site in New Albany, Ohio. The position involves overseeing significant projects, ensuring compliance with safety standards while managing the labor and material coordination necessary for success. The successful candidate will possess 15 years of experience in technical leadership and data center operations.

This position requires strong customer relationship skills and a safety-first mindset, along with potential certifications such as OSHA 30 and RCDD. A flexible approach to various hiring options and travel throughout the U.S. is essential.

Qualifications

• 15 years of technical expertise and 15 years of leadership experience in data center and systems integration.
• Manage 30+ large-scale builds and multimillion-dollar deployments.
• Deep understanding of data center design and structured cabling systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee large field teams and manage client relationships.
• Coordinate labor, materials, and scheduling within a data center construction environment.
• Maintain safety standards and compliance during project lifecycles.

Skills

Customer relationship management

Safety leadership

Project management

Technical expertise in data centers

Coordination of labor and materials

Education

OSHA 30 certification

RCDD certification

RTPM certification

Tools

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

Cost Performance Index (CPI)

Job description

Overall, we’re looking for someone who can step into a mature site, maintain strong client relationships, lead large field teams, and communicate effectively across technical and construction stakeholders.

Positions Details

• We will accept candidates that are open to either contract, contract to hire, or direct hire (must be flexible to travel throughout the U.S.).
• Exempt Salaried position, possible hire options:
  • Contract to possible C2H (currently estimated through Dec 2026) - fixed weekly salary broken down hourly for vendor invoicing purposes only: between $73.00 – $100/HR
  • Direct Hire – based upon experience up to $140K/YR (must be open to the higher percentage of travel throughout the U.S. to be considered for this option)
• Standard site hours: Mon‑Fri 7:00 am – up to 5 pm (after hours and Saturdays if necessary)
• Location: Fully Onsite (no remote/hybrid offering) Client Site(s) in New Albany, OH

Requirements

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Strong customer relationship experience working directly with Client and the General Contractor
• Able to represent Black Box in site meetings and clearly communicate progress, risks, and execution plans

Scheduling & Coordination

• Comfortable leading and communicating 5‑week lookaheads
• Able to coordinate labor, materials, and install sequencing within an active data center construction environment

Safety Leadership

• Strong safety mindset with experience operating in safety‑first construction environments
• Experience managing safety expectations across large field teams

Technical Background

• Solid BICSI foundation with strong understanding of structured cabling / low‑voltage environments
• Familiarity with fiber conveyance, pathways, and connectivity work
• Data Center new builds (greenfield) and retrofit (brownfield) experience highly preferred.

Leadership Scope

• This individual will oversee a large team structure including Project Manager, Construction Manager, and Techs.
• Expected leadership scope of a minimum of 50 to 100+ resources

Certifications

• OSHA 30 (if they don't already have, must obtain within 1 st 6‑months of assignment start)
• RCDD certification nice to have
• RTPM certification nice to have

Working knowledge of

• Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
• Cost Performance Index (CPI)

Experience

• 15 years of technical expertise and 15 years of leadership experience in data center and systems integration.
• Managing 30+ large‑scale builds and multimillion‑dollar deployments from concept to completion.
• Deep understanding of data center design (floor layout, cable tray, and rack usage), connectivity, and structured cabling systems.
• Manages full project lifecycles — from RFP/RFQ/RFI responses and design planning to execution and closeout — while maintaining strict adherence to safety and compliance standards.
• Full retrofit of client’s fiber and copper network infrastructure.
• Hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.