Project Executive - Data Center

Yates Construction Co.; Mississippi; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Yates Construction is seeking a results-driven Project Executive with deep expertise in data center construction to lead large-scale, mission-critical projects from concept to closeout. As a General Contractor, you will oversee all phases of construction, ensuring alignment with financial, technical, and quality goals.

This role requires hands-on leadership of MEP systems, commissioning, and safety protocols on active job sites, with strong client communication and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years construction management experience, with 5+ years in data center or mission-critical environments.
• Proven track record managing multi‑million-dollar projects with complex MEP and commissioning requirements.
• PMP/CCM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of data center construction projects from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover.
• Serve as the primary client interface ensuring clear communication, satisfaction, and alignment of expectations.
• Review and approve contracts, scopes of work, budgets, and schedules; proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Drive cost control and forecasting to maintain financial health and margins.
• Oversee quality assurance programs to ensure compliance with client specs and industry standards.
• Manage project risk and change control for scope, schedule, and cost impacts.
• Enforce safety protocols across all job sites in line with OSHA and company standards.
• Optimize workforce planning including subcontractor coordination and self-perform labor deployment.
• Lead vendor management including prequalification, procurement, and performance tracking.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Project management software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Procore

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Job Title: Project Executive - Data Center/Mission Critical

Job Summary:

We are seeking a results-driven Project Executive with deep expertise in data center construction to lead large-scale, mission-critical projects from concept to closeout. As a General Contractor, you will oversee all phases of construction, ensuring alignment with financial, technical, and quality goals. This role demands strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a strong command of MEP systems and commissioning protocols unique to data center environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the full lifecycle of data center construction projects — from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover
• Serve as the primary client interface, ensuring clear communication, satisfaction, and alignment of expectations
• Review and approve contracts, scopes of work, budgets, and schedules; proactively identify and mitigate risks
• Drive cost control and forecasting practices to maintain financial health and meet margin targets
• Oversee quality assurance programs to ensure compliance with client specs and industry standards
• Manage project risk and change control processes to address scope, schedule, and cost impacts
• Enforce safety protocols across all job sites in compliance with OSHA and company standards
• Optimize workforce planning, including subcontractor coordination and self-perform labor deployment
• Lead vendor management including prequalification, procurement, performance tracking, and compliance
• Apply deep knowledge of data center infrastructure — including power, cooling, redundancy, and commissioning standards — to guide project decisions
• Implement best-in-class project management tools and methodologies (Lean, BIM, Procore, etc.) to ensure consistency and efficiency

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 10+ years of construction management experience, with 5+ years in data center or mission-critical environments
• Proven success managing multi-million-dollar projects with complex MEP and commissioning requirements
• Strong understanding of prefabrication, modular assembly, and integrated systems testing (IST)
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills
• Proficiency in project management software (Procore, Primavera P6, MS Project, or similar)
• PMP, CCM, or similar certification is a plus

Core Competencies:

• Cost Accounting
• Industry Knowledge – Data Center Design & Construction
• Contract Review and Recommendations
• Project Risk and Change Management
• Quality Management and Assurance
• Workforce Planning
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Processes, Methodologies and Tools
• Project Management

This role operates in both office and active construction site environments. Candidate must be able to perform site walks, attend field meetings, and ensure on‑site safety and compliance.

Yates Construction provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal and state law requirements.

Yates complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities.

About Yates Construction

Ranked among the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the country by Engineering News-Record, Yates Construction is family‑owned and provides a wide range of construction and building services. Incorporated in 1964 by William G. Yates Jr., we have steadily grown to become one of the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the nation. We are financially sound with a significant bonding capacity as well as vast personnel and equipment resources.

Our portfolio includes commercial and industrial projects from various sectors including arts and culture, civil, commercial, education, entertainment and gaming, federal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, municipal, retail, and technology. We work hard to understand our client’s business needs and continually look for opportunities to provide additional value to our clients and their projects.

Our client relationships are the foundation of our success, and our primary goal is to help each of our clients achieve their vision. We do this by carefully managing the details and complexities of each project and communicating constantly with all team members.

Yates Construction provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal and state law requirements.

Yates complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.