Director of MEP Operations - Mission Critical

Ajax Building Company

Tampa (FL)

On-site

USD 150,000 - 190,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with employer match

Life Insurance

Short-term Disability insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Ajax Building Company, part of STO Building Group, seeks a Director of MEP Operations to lead critical MEP delivery across mission critical data center projects in Tampa. You will partner with executives and field leadership to drive financial performance, technical execution, and commissioning readiness from preconstruction through turnover.

You will build and develop MEP project management and field teams, set execution standards, and serve as a senior resource for clients, design teams, and

Qualifications

15+ years of progressive MEP construction experience with leadership roles.
Proven data center MEP delivery from preconstruction to turnover.
Strong expertise in electrical or mechanical construction and critical power.
Experience managing budgets, procurement, forecasting, and change management.
Experience developing PMs and field leaders across teams.
Solid understanding of commissioning and data center readiness.
Excellent client communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor MEP Project Managers, Superintendents, and specialists.
Direct MEP preconstruction strategy including scope, estimates, VE, and trades.
Oversee budgets, buyout, forecasting, change orders, and cost controls.
Drive equipment procurement and vendor coordination (OFCI, testing, delivery).
Align MEP coordination with project schedules and energization milestones.
Provide senior technical oversight of critical power, cooling, controls, and life safety.
Establish BIM/VDC procedures for submittals, RFIs, QC, and reporting.
Oversee commissioning with owners, agents, vendors, and teams.
Promote safe execution and early risk identification with leadership.

Skills

MEP leadership

Data center delivery

Preconstruction strategy

Budgeting & forecasting

Vendor coordination

BIM/VDC coordination

Staff development

Client relationship

Commissioning oversight

Safety leadership

Education

Construction Management/Engineering degree

Tools

BIM/VDC

RFIs & Submittals

Job description

SUMMARY

Ajax Building Company, part of STO Building Group, is seeking a Director of MEP Operations to lead mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection delivery across its mission critical data center projects. This senior leader partners with Project Executives and field leadership to drive MEP financial performance, technical execution, and commissioning readiness from preconstruction through turnover.

The role builds and develops MEP project management and field teams, establishes consistent execution standards, and serves as a senior resource for clients, design teams, and trade partners on critical systems and delivery challenges.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Lead and mentor MEP Project Managers, MEP Superintendents, and related specialists; align staffing, resources, and performance expectations across projects.
Direct MEP preconstruction strategy, including scope development, estimating reviews, constructability, value engineering, and trade partner selection.
Oversee MEP budgets, buyout, forecasting, change orders, and cost controls; partner with Project Executives to protect margins and resolve commercial risks.
Drive critical equipment procurement and vendor coordination, including owner-furnished contractor-installed (OFCI) equipment, factory testing, delivery, and installation readiness.
Align MEP coordination, manpower, installation sequencing, utility energization, and commissioning milestones with overall project schedules.
Provide senior technical oversight of critical power, cooling, controls, and life safety systems; resolve design, constructability, and system integration issues.
Establish consistent MEP procedures for BIM/VDC coordination, submittals, RFIs, quality control, and progress reporting; hold teams and trade partners accountable.
Oversee commissioning strategy with owners, commissioning agents, vendors, and project teams, including startup, functional testing, integrated systems testing, and phased turnover.
Promote safe execution of MEP work, including energization and testing; identify delivery risks early and lead corrective action with project and safety leadership.
Build client and trade partner relationships, support pursuits and technical proposals, and apply lessons learned to strengthen Ajax's mission critical operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

15+ years of progressive MEP construction experience, including senior leadership of project teams, field operations, or a specialty contracting business.
Proven leadership of large-scale data center MEP delivery from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover; hyperscale experience preferred.
Deep expertise in electrical or mechanical construction, with the ability to oversee integrated MEP and fire protection scopes. Strong critical power experience preferred.
Demonstrated success managing complex MEP budgets, procurement, forecasting, contract negotiations, and change management.
Experience developing PMs and field leaders and coordinating multiple teams or concurrent projects.
Strong understanding of commissioning, systems testing, quality management, and data center operational readiness.
Excellent client communication, team leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Construction Management, Engineering, or related degree preferred; equivalent trade training and substantial construction leadership experience welcomed.

Physical Requirements

Ability to visit and navigate active construction sites and perform essential job duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.

ABOUT AJAX

Founded in 1958, Ajax Building Company is a leading commercial contractor delivering complex, high-impact projects across the Southeast. Our work spans healthcare, K-12, higher education, justice, municipal, mission critical, and other institutional markets-giving our teams the opportunity to build projects that truly impact the communities they serve.

At Ajax, you'll find a collaborative, team-oriented culture where your contributions are valued, backed by the strength and stability of STO Building Group's $15B global platform. As we continue to grow, our employees take on meaningful responsibility, gain exposure to diverse and challenging work, and have clear paths for career advancement.

BENEFITS