Market Lead

Appleton Finn; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Appleton Finn in Georgia and the Carolinas seeks a senior Market Lead – Data Center / Mission Critical to drive regional growth, oversee major projects, and expand client relationships.

You will lead preconstruction through turnover, manage budgets and schedules, coordinate MEP systems, IST, and ensure safety and quality. Travel across GA, NC, SC required; Procore/Primavera/MS Project experience preferred.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive construction experience preferred.
• 5+ years of Data Center / Mission Critical construction experience.
• Proven experience leading large, multi-million-dollar projects.
• Strong understanding of complex MEP systems and commissioning.
• Experience with Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Strong financial and commercial project management capabilities.
• Proven client-facing leadership and relationship management experience.
• Business development and client development experience highly beneficial.
• Experience building and leading project teams.
• Experience with Procore, Primavera P6, MS Project, or similar platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout Georgia and the Carolinas.

Responsibilities

• Lead major Data Center / Mission Critical projects from preconstruction through commissioning and final turnover.
• Own project financial performance, forecasting, schedules, risk, quality, and safety.
• Develop and maintain relationships with major data center owners, developers, and key stakeholders.
• Lead the company's growth strategy across Georgia and the Carolinas.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the regional data center market.
• Support client development, pursuits, proposals, and preconstruction activities.
• Provide senior leadership across project teams, Superintendents, subcontractors, vendors, and consultants.
• Review contracts, scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and project execution strategies.
• Oversee complex MEP coordination, commissioning, and Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Lead subcontractor procurement, vendor management, workforce planning, and project staffing.
• Help recruit, develop, and retain the regional project team.
• Review constructability, logistics, phasing, prefabrication, and modular construction strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Client development

Project management

Stakeholder management

Business development

Team building

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Market Lead – Data Center / Mission Critical | Georgia & Carolinas

Our client is a highly respected, financially strong top ENR General Contractor with a significant national presence across the commercial, industrial, and technology sectors. With continued growth across the Data Center / Mission Critical market, they are looking to appoint a senior construction leader to lead and grow their presence across Georgia and the Carolinas.

This is a senior regional leadership opportunity for an experienced construction professional with a proven background in data center and mission-critical construction, combining operational leadership, major project delivery, client development, and regional market growth.

The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing and expanding the company's presence across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, while providing senior oversight of major projects throughout the region.

The Opportunity

• Lead major Data Center / Mission Critical projects from preconstruction through commissioning and final turnover
• Take senior ownership of project financial performance, forecasting, schedules, risk, quality, and safety
• Develop and maintain relationships with major data center owners, developers, and key project stakeholders
• Lead the company's growth strategy across Georgia and the Carolinas
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the regional data center market
• Support client development, pursuits, proposals, and preconstruction activities
• Provide senior leadership across project teams, Superintendents, subcontractors, vendors, and consultants
• Review contracts, scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and project execution strategies
• Oversee complex MEP coordination, commissioning, and Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
• Lead subcontractor procurement, vendor management, workforce planning, and project staffing
• Help recruit, develop, and retain the regional project team
• Review constructability, logistics, phasing, prefabrication, and modular construction strategies
• Work closely with senior leadership to establish the long-term regional strategy

Candidates should have significant experience delivering large-scale data center or mission-critical projects.

Experience across areas such as:

• Mechanical & Electrical Systems
• Commissioning & Integrated Systems Testing

Experience taking projects from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover is highly desirable.

This role is suited to someone looking to take the next step beyond individual project delivery and play a significant role in building and leading a regional market.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Establish and develop relationships with major data center clients
• Build the company's presence across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
• Develop and execute regional business development strategies
• Help build and lead a high-performing project team
• Influence project pursuit and delivery strategy
• Work directly with senior leadership on regional growth
• Take a long-term leadership role within the company's expanding mission-critical platform

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive construction experience preferred
• 5+ years of Data Center / Mission Critical construction experience
• Proven experience leading large, multi-million-dollar projects
• Strong understanding of complex MEP systems and commissioning
• Experience with Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
• Strong financial and commercial project management capabilities
• Proven client-facing leadership and relationship management experience
• Business development and client development experience highly beneficial
• Experience building and leading project teams
• Experience with Procore, Primavera P6, MS Project, or similar platforms
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline preferred
• Willingness to travel throughout Georgia and the Carolinas