Executive Project Director - Data Centers

LVI Associates; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates is seeking an Executive Project Director to lead a major data center program in the Arlington, VA area. You will drive integration of design, construction, and field teams to maximize owner value and minimize waste.

You will act as a strategic leader, building high-performance teams, guiding IPD/CMAR/Design-Build delivery, and shaping the program’s vision while maintaining strong client relations and safety performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or Construction Management.
• 25+ years of building construction experience.
• Experience leading IPD, CMAR, and Design-Build projects.
• Data center experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor overall performance of the project, account, and client relationship, cradle to grave.
• Meet established sales and gross profit goals for the project and account.
• Take action to prevent erosion, forecast slippage, risk, and financial underperformance.
• Develop, document, and execute business strategy for the project and account.
• Leverage shared services and implement company wide systems, programs, and processes.
• Act as an entrepreneurial face of the market, building deep relationships and understanding local business and political dynamics.
• Identify and secure new clients while driving client satisfaction.
• Understand competitive positioning and how to differentiate the business within the account.
• Lead and participate in pre and post award activities, including go/no go decisions, kickoff meetings, management reviews, fee proposal review, contract review, estimate/GMP review, and contract negotiations.
• Monitor safety results, implementing corrective actions in collaboration with the Safety Director.
• Drive employee engagement and retention across the project and account.
• Model efforts around inclusion, community engagement, and core values.
• Partner with business development to integrate sales strategy, client capture plans, and account plans, optimizing profit levers and gross profit margin tactics.
• Own the career development and coaching of employees through a team of managers.
• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment.
• Drive long term strategic vision, bridging executive leadership and operational teams.
• Provide strategic insight and recommendations to executive leadership

Skills

IPD leadership

CMAR & Design-Build

Data center experience

25+ years construction experience

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or Construction Management

LEED accreditation

Job description

Executive Project Director, Data Centers

Location: Arlington, VA area

Overview

Are you a highly technical, strong communicator with the desire to lead complex, high value programs in a collaborative team environment? A Top 10 ENR general contractor is seeking an Executive Project Director to head all activities on a major data center program, holding overall accountability for its successful, congruent delivery. The primary objective is ensuring integration of all construction partners, systems, business structures, and practices, harnessing the talents of all participants to optimize results, increase owner value, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency.

Who is our client?

A Top 10 ENR contractor and privately held, family owned business with a national office network, in operation for over 150 years. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, committed to delivering projects safely and on time across sectors including data centers, healthcare, science and technology, and corporate environments.

Who are you?

You are a coach and leader who leads with an inclusive and empathetic mindset. You provide feedback and guidance to help others excel in their current or future roles. You determine priorities, delegate work, and communicate progress effectively. You build high performing teams by attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining talented individuals through motivation and discipline to maximize impact on both the organization and the individual.

You leverage business insight, understanding industry trends, local market conditions, and the client's business model, to make critical decisions and create competitive advantage. You deploy a strategic mindset when considering long term opportunities and risks.

What is in it for you?

Access to multi dimensional training through an award winning internal leadership university, alongside an experienced team that offers the opportunity to learn new industry skills daily. You will protect and promote the interests of both the business and the client in all matters, while demonstrating the personal characteristics of a developing leader.

Responsibilities

• Monitor overall performance of the project, account, and client relationship, cradle to grave
• Meet established sales and gross profit goals for the project and account
• Take action to prevent erosion, forecast slippage, risk, and financial underperformance
• Develop, document, and execute business strategy for the project and account
• Leverage shared services and implement company wide systems, programs, and processes
• Act as an entrepreneurial \"face of the market\", building deep relationships and understanding local business and political dynamics
• Identify and secure new clients while driving client satisfaction
• Understand competitive positioning and how to differentiate the business within the account
• Lead and participate in pre and post award activities, including go/no go decisions, kickoff meetings, management reviews, fee proposal review, contract review, estimate/GMP review, and contract negotiations
• Monitor safety results, implementing corrective actions in collaboration with the Safety Director
• Drive employee engagement and retention across the project and account
• Model efforts around inclusion, community engagement, and core values
• Partner with business development to integrate sales strategy, client capture plans, and account plans, optimizing profit levers and gross profit margin tactics
• Own the career development and coaching of employees through a team of managers
• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment
• Drive long term strategic vision, bridging executive leadership and operational teams
• Provide strategic insight and recommendations to executive leadership

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or Construction Management
• LEED accreditation highly preferred
• Data center experience highly preferred, but not required
• 25+ years of building construction experience
• Previously sat at the top of an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) scheme
• Experience with Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) and Design Build
• Experience with commercial construction and R&D projects

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong command of Integrated Project Delivery philosophy and method
• High level of technical construction acumen
• Strong business acumen and decision making skills
• Able to adapt leadership and communication style across diverse teams
• Able to articulate the broad impact of decisions and direct key stakeholders effectively
• Able to model active listening and extract information from others
• Able to cultivate an environment of trust, hard work, and teamwork
• Able to communicate as effectively in spontaneous settings as in prepared ones
• Passionate about a collaborative culture and about safety