Lead Project Manager – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction management firm is seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to oversee a massive data center construction project in Maiden, North Carolina. The role involves full responsibility for project delivery, managing stakeholders, budgets, and schedules, while ensuring compliance with quality standards. Candidates should possess an MBA or Bachelor's degree related to construction management, coupled with proven project management experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in data center construction is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in delivering high-quality programs.
• Ability to present to senior management to gain approvals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, coordination, execution, and delivery of the data center project.
• Work with GC and AE to create and establish the Master Project Schedule.
• Ensure quality control processes are compliant with required standards.

Skills

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

MBA or Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, Project Management (or PMP), Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to oversee the construction management of a massive, state‑of‑the‑art data center construction project for a global technology client onsite in Maiden, North Carolina.

This role will involve full responsibility for the planning, coordination, execution, and delivery of the data center project, from pre‑construction to final handover. You will lead a team of project managers, subcontractors, and vendors, ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

The Lead Project Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for all project stakeholders—clients, contractors, engineers, and consultants—while overseeing project risks, controlling budgets and schedules, and ensuring the successful and timely delivery of the project.

Actual project site is located in Maiden, NC.

Responsibilities

• Work with GC and AE to create and establish the Master Project Schedule, based on the Critical Path and key milestones.
• Support establishment of the project budget, including soft costs and hard costs.
• Support contract negotiation, typically in concert with the Client’s PM and legal counsel.
• Coordinate Design Team activities.
• Ensure AE is completing requirements to meet municipal and AHJ demands.
• Coordinate constructability review of project documents.
• Coordinate cost estimates working with subs and other vendors for scope gaps/changes.
• Coordinate value engineering effort.
• Manage GC and other directly contracted vendors by working with the onsite Construction Management team.
• Ensure quality control process – ensuring compliance with required standards.
• Support client culture to ensure project and site is run according to clients EHS policies.
• Lead procurement activities and coordinate all owner‑furnished contractor installed equipment.
• Provide reporting and tracking of project financials, including change order management & cashflow.
• Monitor schedule, tracking and analysis.
• Ensure document control (tracking and coordinating addenda, bulletins, new drawing sets, clarifications, etc.) process is in place.
• Ensure QA/QC is being followed and report any issues/gaps.
• Ensure tracking of all key project documents, including submittals, RFIs, change orders, invoices and payments, lien releases.
• Coordinate and manage all owner‑direct vendors working with supply chain and consultants.
• Initiate close out process prior to project completion, typically two to three months in advance with the client's doc control team, setting timelines and responsibilities.
• Establish close out documentation requirements. Ensure receipt of all close‑out documents until completion, including warranties, as‑builts, O&M manuals, etc.
• Ensure punch list, substantial completion and final completion process through onsite Construction management team.
• Negotiate, resolve and close out any outstanding change orders, quality issues or disputes.
• Process and track any final invoices, payment applications, retention payments, etc.
• Prepare and submit final project accounting and budget.
• Assist client in scheduling, coordination and management of all owner‑direct vendors, consultants.

Qualifications

• Formal Project Management methods.
• Cross‑functional team participation in a high‑tech, dynamic environment.
• Excellent problem‑solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Proven track record in delivering high‑quality programs.
• Ability to present to senior management to gain approvals.
• Passionate about solving complex challenges within aggressive timelines.
• Detail‑oriented with strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to multi‑task in a fast‑paced and quickly changing environment.
• Experience in data center construction is strongly preferred.

Preferred Education

• MBA or Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Business Administration, Project Management (or PMP), Engineering or a related field.

Additional Information

On‑site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.