Mission-Critical Data Center Project Lead

Walbridge; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Walbridge is seeking a seasoned Construction Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of data center construction, retrofit, and infrastructure upgrades. You will own scope, schedule, budget, safety, and quality while coordinating with live facilities and cross-functional teams.

You will manage client relationships, supervise subcontractors and vendors, drive MOP development, change control, commissioning handoffs, and closeout with a focus on uptime and margin.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of construction project management experience, including delivery of projects in data centers, critical facilities, or other mission critical environments.
• Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar projects in live, operating facilities with strict uptime and safety requirements.
• Working knowledge of critical power and cooling infrastructure and the construction methods used to install and upgrade it.
• Strong command of scheduling, cost control, contract administration, and
• Experience developing and executing MOPs and working within client change management processes.
• Strong understanding of construction safety standards, including OSHA requirements and NFPA 70E.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead clients, subcontractors, and field teams.
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Procore) and Microsoft Office/Excel.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines under pressure.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and client locations as needed.
• PMP, CCM, OSHA 30, or similar certifications preferred.
• Experience with hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center clients preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the project lifecycle from award through closeout, including scope definition, work breakdown, schedule development, and budget management.
• Plan and sequence work in live data center environments, including method of procedure (MOP) development and review, change management, and maintenance window coordination.
• Lead retrofit and upgrade projects involving critical power and cooling systems, such as switchgear, UPS and battery systems, generators, chillers, and controls.
• Manage submittals, RFIs, long-lead equipment, change orders, and project documentation to keep work moving and protect margin.
• Coordinate closely with L5 commissioning teams so testing, integrated systems testing, and turnover are planned from the start.
• Manage project closeout, including punch lists, as-built documentation, operations and maintenance manuals, and turnover to client operations teams.
• Enforce a zero-incident safety culture, including electrical safety, lockout/tagout, work permitting, hot work, and site access requirements.
• Identify, document, and mitigate risks to uptime, schedule, cost, and safety, and elevate issues early with clear recommendations.
• Hold the project team and subcontractors accountable to quality standards, client requirements, and code and regulatory compliance.
• Lead pre-task planning, risk reviews, and post-project lessons learned to improve future projects.
• Serve as the day-to-day client lead, providing clear and proactive communication on progress, risks, and changes.
• Select, direct, and manage subcontractors, trade partners, and vendors in partnership with vendor management & procurement.
• Lead project meetings, progress reporting, and client updates, and prepare financial forecasts, cost reports, and invoicing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop project engineers, superintendents, and coordinators.
• Support business development with scoping, estimating, schedule input, and risk review for new pursuits.

Skills

Construction project management

Data center experience

Scheduling & cost control

MOPs & change management

Client/vendor management

Leadership

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Procore

Job description

Walbridge is seeking a seasoned Construction Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of data center construction, retrofit, and infrastructure upgrades. You will own scope, schedule, budget, safety, and quality while coordinating with live facilities and cross-functional teams.

You will manage client relationships, supervise subcontractors and vendors, drive MOP development, change control, commissioning handoffs, and closeout with a focus on uptime and margin.