Development Program Manager (Data Center Construction)

QTS Data Centers; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching contributions

Bonus or commission eligibility

Generous PTO

Pet and health insurance

Wellness Program

Job summary

QTS Data Centers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is seeking a Development Program Manager to lead design and construction activities for data center projects across multiple campuses. The ideal candidate will have over eight years of experience in commercial construction practices and strong project management skills.

This role involves managing budgets, schedules, and stakeholder relationships while ensuring timely project completion. The position offers comprehensive benefits and necessitates traveling up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years in commercial construction practices.
• Experience with lump sum and design-build project delivery.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage design and construction for data center projects.
• Create monthly status updates for executive level reviews.
• Work with stakeholders to develop a master development program.

Skills

Commercial construction practices

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering

Job description

The Development Program Manager (Data Center Construction) leads and manages design, pre‑construction, and construction activities for data center projects across campus sites.

What You Will Do

• Manage multiple projects on one or more campuses, maintaining updated budgets, schedules, and status reports for each.
• Create and communicate monthly development program and project status updates suitable for executive level reviews, presenting information to support efficient decision‑making.
• Work with stakeholders, design, and construction teams to develop a master development program for site(s), including a complete campus design solution and capital budget.
• Manage entitlement and permitting needs for each assigned site project.
• Implement and manage multi‑phased site development plans to achieve time, budget, and quality standards predictably, continuously updating a campus master plan.
• Write scopes of work for design, construction, commissioning services, and participate in procurement and cost estimations.
• Evaluate and level pricing proposals for design, construction, and commissioning services.
• Work closely with strategic procurement teams on equipment procurement and delivery processes.
• Ensure appropriate submittals are coordinated with site stakeholders.
• Monitor and create project budget and cost‑to‑date reports against the overall project budget.
• Establish project schedules and manage teams for on‑time completion.
• Review and approve monthly contractor pay applications.
• Review change order requests from contractors and negotiate pricing.
• Establish site construction security procedures in conjunction with the site security team.
• Develop product deployment plans and communicate them with QTS staff involved.
• Collaborate with Sales Engineers and Product teams to aid in custom deal solutioning for prospective clients within the applicable schedule and budget for an assigned location.
• Establish and maintain relationships as liaison with key QTS stakeholders.
• Represent QTS interests as a leader in OAC meetings.
• Create and build relationships that enhance QTS’s ability to lead in creating premium data center real‑estate opportunities.
• Aid in due diligence efforts for potential new sites on an as‑needed basis.
• Work with the internal development team to enhance project management processes and protocols.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or equivalent professional experience.
• Eight or more years of professional experience in commercial construction practices and procedures, including management of Lump Sum, Construction Management at Risk, and Design Build project delivery methods from conceptual development through procurement to close‑out.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite, specifically PowerPoint for executive presentations and Excel for program updates and budgeting.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Other Key Skills

• MBA, Master’s in Engineering, Management, or related field desirable.
• Experience delivering mission‑critical data center facilities.
• Extensive experience managing MEP trades.

Benefits

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting.
• Bonus or commission eligibility for every employee.
• Generous PTO, paid volunteer days, and floating holidays.
• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP).
• 11 paid holidays annually (holiday compensation when worked).
• Pet and health insurance.
• Q‑Rest Sabbatical Program.
• Q‑Anniversary Service Award Program.
• Parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers.
• Military benefits package.
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program.
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents.
• QTS Crisis Fund.
• Wellness Program.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

QTS is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, or protected veteran status. We prohibit retaliation against any individual who files a complaint or participates in an investigation of discrimination.