Director of Construction Data Centers

Gilder Search Group; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking a Director of Construction for data centers in Ashburn, VA. This role involves managing all aspects of data center construction projects, overseeing project managers, and ensuring projects meet budget and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have 8-15 years of experience in data center construction, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in project management tools. The company offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8–15+ years relevant experience in the data center construction industry.
• Experience managing multi-million dollar projects.
• Familiar with the design process of building systems for data centers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project managers and manage critical facility construction projects.
• Manage financial aspects of contracts, including budgets and billing.
• Deliver built-to-suit projects and drive company project delivery standards.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship management

Construction experience

Communication skills

Tools

MS Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Director of Construction – Data Centers – Ashburn, VA

This opportunity is with a leading provider of mission‑critical data center solutions as a managed services provider, acting as an Owner’s Representative for construction services. The firm provides a complete life cycle of solutions custom‑fit to the requirements of clients’ mission‑critical facilities, retrofitting and building facilities nationwide for enterprises, colocation, and hyperscale companies. This role offers career growth with exciting projects, leading‑edge technology and innovation, competitive salaries and benefits.

We are looking for a Data Center Construction Project Director / PX to support critical facility construction projects. The Construction Director will be responsible for all aspects of managing and overseeing data center construction projects, upgrades and retrofits in a production environment, acting on the Owner’s behalf. This includes providing leadership to the Project Managers on the team, contractors and vendors. The candidate will have overall responsibility for delivery of assigned projects on budget and on time and assurance that scope and quality meet company design standards and project objectives. The successful candidate will be exceptionally organized and proficient with back‑office work (change orders, budgets, paperwork, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Maintain liaison with contractors and vendors to manage day‑to‑day activities that impact delivery of critical facility construction projects.
• Oversee a team of project managers that manage individual projects such as greenfields, brownfields, upgrades, and retrofits within the overall project portfolio and provide guidance and direction.
• Possess solid project‑management construction experience; experience managing teams of construction professionals, including PMs and superintendents.
• Experience managing data center construction projects with budgets between $5 MM and $500 MM+.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, assist the Senior Project Manager in negotiating contracts with vendors, and create and manage project schedules.
• Put together project plans – size up, costs, budget, scheduling, timeline, manage change orders, etc.
• Assist with reporting and RFPs to contractors.
• Deliver built‑to‑suit projects with a heavy emphasis on value‑engineering.
• Drive company standards uniformly as it regards to project delivery by all project participants on all projects.
• Manage financial aspects of contracts (progress billing, rental equipment, income/expenses) to protect the company’s interest while maintaining good client relationships.
• Represent the company in project meetings.
• Act as key liaison with managers of all company departments.
• Maintain all logs required to track the progress of the project.
• Possess an extensive network within the mission‑critical data center facilities market.
• Background in critical facilities design, architecture, engineering and construction services.

Qualifications

• Experience managing data center construction projects as an Owner or as a general contractor / GC / trade.
• Previous experience managing a diverse team of high‑level construction project managers on multi‑million dollar projects.
• Minimum of 8–15+ years relevant experience in the data center construction industry, data center / critical facilities MEP construction experience.
• Client‑facing / client relationship / client management skills.
• PMP certification a plus.
• Must be familiar with the design process of building systems for data center and mission‑critical projects.
• Solid construction project management experience.
• Effective communicator – emails, phone and face‑to‑face.
• Previous experience in the Military / Military Veterans from all branches a huge plus! Experience with Electrical / Mechanical: Navy nukes - EMN, ETN, MMNs, Seabees, Army - Power Generation, Air Force – Power Production, Generator Techs, Maritime, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, etc.
• Ability to work independently.
• Solid admin skills: such as email, internet, and Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Office, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Project).

Company offers competitive salaries and benefits package including medical insurance, a 401(k) plan.

EOE/AA Employer M/F/D/V