Lead Superintendent (Mission Critical/Data Center Construction)

Just Construction Recruitment; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Just Construction Recruitment seeks a Lead Superintendent to oversee on-site construction for mission-critical/data center environments. You will lead large field teams, coordinate multiple trades, and ensure safety, schedule, and quality from mobilization through closeout.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years of leadership in data center projects, including live environments and outages. Expect travel and managing complex MEP installations in occupied facilities.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of construction leadership experience, including data center projects.
• Experience leading retrofit/renovation/densification in live facilities.
• Experience working in live/occupied environments with outages.
• Strong knowledge of sequencing, logistics, and multi-trade coordination.
• Ability to manage large subcontractor workforces and multiple activities.
• Advanced knowledge of critical power, mechanical, and building systems for data centers.
• Ability to read/interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings.
• Proficient in construction mgmt software (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project).
• OSHA 30 certification and safety program understanding.
• Valid driver's license; willingness to travel.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall field leadership for mission-critical/data center projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Develop site logistics plans, sequencing strategies, and short-interval schedules.
• Lead daily operations and oversee all field personnel, subs, and trade partners.
• Manage retrofit, renovation, densification, and infrastructure upgrades in live data centers.
• Coordinate activities in live environments while maintaining continuity.
• Lead shutdown planning, outages, turnover with owners, facilities, consultants, and subs.
• Drive schedule performance by managing critical paths and resolving field issues.
• Coordinate structural, architectural, civil, electrical, and mechanical trades for efficient execution.
• Conduct daily planning, coordination meetings, safety briefings, and look-ahead reviews.
• Monitor manpower, productivity, equipment, and production to hit milestones.
• Ensure compliance with drawings, specs, safety requirements, and codes.
• Lead quality inspections to meet project standards and owner expectations.
• Review RFIs, submittals, field changes, and constructability issues with PM/Design.
• Oversee commissioning prep, equipment installs, startups, punch lists, turnover.
• Mentor Assistant Superintendents and Field Engineers; foster safety and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with clients, facilities teams, inspectors, and stakeholders.

Skills

Data center construction

Leadership experience

Outage planning

Construction sequencing

Team leadership

Trades coordination

M&E coordination

Procore

Bluebeam

Microsoft Project

Safety compliance

OSHA 30

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Microsoft Project

Job description

The Lead Superintendent is responsible for overseeing all on-site construction activities from mobilization through project closeout, with a strong focus on mission-critical/data center environments. This role serves as the senior field leader, ensuring projects are executed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in accordance with quality standards.

The ideal candidate will bring 15+ years of construction leadership experience, including extensive experience managing data center retrofit, renovation, and live environment projects. This individual must be capable of leading large field teams, coordinating multiple trades, managing critical-path activities, and maintaining operational continuity within occupied facilities.

What You'll Do:

• Provide overall field leadership for mission-critical/data center construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Develop and execute site logistics plans, construction sequencing strategies, and short-interval project schedules.
• Lead daily construction operations and oversee all field personnel, subcontractors, and trade partners.
• Manage retrofit, renovation, densification, and infrastructure upgrade projects within existing operational data centers.
• Coordinate construction activities in live mission-critical environments while maintaining operational continuity.
• Lead shutdown planning, tie-ins, outage coordination, and turnover activities with owners, facilities teams, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Drive schedule performance by identifying critical path activities, mitigating delays, and proactively resolving field issues.
• Coordinate structural, architectural, civil, electrical, and mechanical trades to ensure efficient project execution.
• Conduct daily planning meetings, subcontractor coordination meetings, safety briefings, and look-ahead schedule reviews.
• Monitor manpower, productivity, equipment utilization, and production performance to achieve project milestones.
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance with project drawings, specifications, safety requirements, and local building codes.
• Lead quality control inspections and ensure workmanship meets project standards and owner expectations.
• Review and coordinate RFIs, submittals, field changes, and constructability issues with project management and design teams.
• Oversee commissioning preparation, equipment installations, startup activities, punch lists, and project turnover requirements.
• Partner closely with Project Managers to align field operations with overall project objectives.
• Mentor Assistant Superintendents, Field Engineers, and emerging construction leaders.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across all project teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, facility operators, subcontractors, inspectors, and project stakeholders.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and to the highest quality standards.

What You Bring:

• 15+ years of experience as a Superintendent or Lead Superintendent managing large-scale industrial, mission-critical, or data center construction projects.
• Proven experience leading retrofit, renovation, densification, or infrastructure upgrade projects within operational data centers.
• Extensive experience working in live/occupied mission-critical environments, including outage planning, shutdown coordination, and maintaining operational continuity.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, logistics planning, and coordination across multiple trades, with significant experience overseeing complex MEP installations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large subcontractor workforces and coordinate multiple concurrent construction activities.
• Advanced knowledge of critical power, mechanical, and building systems common to data center construction.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, civil, and MEP construction drawings and specifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, conflict resolution, team-building, and decision-making skills.
• Experience utilizing Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, or similar construction management and scheduling software.
• Thorough understanding of OSHA regulations, jobsite safety programs, and quality management processes.
• OSHA 30 Certification required.
• Valid driver's license.
• Willingness to travel as required based on project needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center construction projects.
• Experience overseeing projects involving critical power systems, UPS systems, generators, switchgear, cooling infrastructure, and commissioning activities.
• Previous experience managing projects exceeding $50M+ in value.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (preferred but not required).
• Data center commissioning, startup, and operational turnover experience.
• Experience mentoring and developing Superintendent teams across multiple projects.