Project Director (Owners Representative) Data Center - Philadelphia, PA

Socket.dev; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Accident Insurance

Long Term Disability

401(k) retirement plan with 4% Kalcon

15 days of paid time off

8 paid National Holidays

Reimbursement for professional Licens​

Reimburse professional licenses and·s

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an experienced Project Director to provide executive Owner Representation for planning, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover of hyperscale data center campuses. You will lead programs across multiple projects and manage senior relationships with clients, design teams, and contractors to ensure scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, and operational readiness.

The role requires 15+ years in large construction programs, 10+ years in data centers or related

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in managing large-scale construction programs.
• At least 10 years in data centers, critical facilities, semiconductor, mission critical, industrial, or advanced technology projects.
• Experience leading programs exceeding $500M in construction value.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and large multi-disciplinary teams.
• Executive-level communication and leadership skills.
• Advanced knowledge of project controls, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and contract administration.
• Proficient with Primavera P6, MS Project, Procore, and project management platforms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior Owner's Representative for all assigned data center construction projects and campus development programs.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout activities.
• Direct and oversee Project Managers, Project Engineers, consultants, contractors, and third-party vendors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Act as the primary liaison between client leadership, project stakeholders, design teams, construction managers, and operational personnel.
• Establish and maintain program governance, reporting structures, and communication protocols.
• Ensure project objectives are achieved related to scope, budget, schedule, quality, safety, and operational readiness.
• Lead executive-level project meetings, steering committee reviews, and client presentations.
• Evaluate project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impacts to cost, schedule, and operations.
• Provide leadership in resolving complex project issues, disputes, and escalated matters.
• Oversee program-wide scheduling activities, including milestone management, critical path analysis, and recovery planning.
• Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions as necessary to maintain project objectives.
• Lead project budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost management across multiple projects and workstreams.
• Review and approve major contracts, change orders, budget modifications, and funding requests.
• Drive value engineering initiatives and identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality or requirements.
• Ensure construction activities are executed in accordance with contract documents, standards, and client expectations.
• Oversee quality assurance, quality control, and safety programs.
• Manage contractor and consultant performance through regular evaluations and accountability measures.
• Direct design management to align owner requirements with operations and construction.
• Coordinate integration of owner-furnished equipment, tech infrastructure, and fit-out requirements.
• Lead commissioning, start-up, and turnover activities to ensure facilities are fully operational.
• Oversee project closeout processes, including financial reconciliation and warranty management.
• Manage relationships with AHJs, utilities, and regulatory agencies to support permitting and occupancy.
• Develop and maintain strategic client relationships and identify future growth opportunities.
• Mentor and develop project management staff and foster accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Executive leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Communication

Project controls

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Procore

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management platforms

Job description

Seeking an experienced Project Director to provide executive Owner Representation for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover of large-scale hyperscale data center campuses. The Project Director serves as the primary leader responsible for program delivery, client satisfaction, financial performance, risk management, and overall project execution across multiple projects, buildings, and stakeholders.

This role provides strategic leadership to Project Managers, Construction Managers, design teams, consultants, contractors, and owner stakeholders to ensure project objectives related to scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, and operational readiness are achieved.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field
• 15+ years of experience managing large-scale construction programs
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Data Centers, Critical Facilities, Semiconductor, Mission Critical, Industrial, or Advanced Technology projects
• Experience leading programs exceeding $500M in construction value
• Proven success managing multiple concurrent projects and large multi-disciplinary teams
• Strong knowledge of design management, construction delivery, commissioning, and facility operations
• PMP, CCM, PE, DBIA, or equivalent professional certification preferred
• Executive-level communication and leadership skills
• Advanced knowledge of project controls, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and contract administration
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Procore, and project management platforms

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the senior Owner's Representative for all assigned data center construction projects and campus development programs.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout activities.
• Direct and oversee Project Managers, Project Engineers, consultants, contractors, and third-party vendors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Act as the primary liaison between client leadership, project stakeholders, design teams, construction managers, and operational personnel.
• Establish and maintain program governance, reporting structures, and communication protocols.
• Ensure project objectives are achieved related to scope, budget, schedule, quality, safety, and operational readiness.
• Lead executive-level project meetings, steering committee reviews, and client presentations.
• Evaluate project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impacts to cost, schedule, and operations.
• Provide leadership in resolving complex project issues, disputes, and escalated matters.
• Oversee program-wide scheduling activities, including milestone management, critical path analysis, and recovery planning.
• Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions as necessary to maintain project objectives.
• Lead project budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost management efforts across multiple projects and workstreams.
• Review and approve major contracts, change orders, budget modifications, and funding requests.
• Drive value engineering initiatives and identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality or operational requirements.
• Ensure construction activities are executed in accordance with contract documents, project standards, and client expectations.
• Oversee quality assurance, quality control, and safety programs to support successful project execution.
• Manage contractor and consultant performance through regular evaluations and accountability measures.
• Direct design management activities to ensure alignment between owner requirements, operational needs, and construction execution.
• Coordinate integration of owner-furnished equipment, technology infrastructure, and customer fit-out requirements.
• Lead commissioning, start-up, and turnover activities to ensure facilities are fully operational and ready for occupancy.
• Oversee project closeout processes, including financial reconciliation, punch list completion, turnover documentation, and warranty management.
• Manage relationships with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), utility providers, and regulatory agencies to support permitting and occupancy requirements.
• Develop and maintain strategic client relationships while identifying opportunities for future business growth.
• Mentor and develop project management staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Promote and uphold company values, safety standards, and operational excellence across all project activities.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• 401(k) retirement plan with 4% KALCON match when an employee contributes at least 5%
• 15 days of paid time off
• 8 paid National Holidays
• Reimbursement for professional licenses and certifications

Submission Requirements:

At a minimum, the candidate’s professional resume must include the following:

• List of all Educational Achievements
• List of all Professional Licenses or Certificates
• List of Awards Received
• Detailed Employment History with each company including:
• Name & Contact Information of the firm or agency
• Start Date and End Date (Month & Year)
• Positions Held

At KALCON we are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace where every individual is respected and valued. We are an equal opportunity employer and all applicant and employees will receive consideration for employment as we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes to the success of our company and the innovation behind the exceptional projects we deliver. We encourage and support applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team and thrive. Our hiring and employment practices are guided by principles of fairness, equality, and opportunity for all.

Salary Range

$225,000 — $275,000 USD