Project Executive – Data Centre & Critical Infrastructure

Cognisant; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognisant in North America is seeking a Project Executive to lead delivery of major data centre and critical infrastructure programmes across North America, from planning through handover.

The role requires strategic direction, commercial oversight and executive leadership across complex, high-value developments, working with owners, developers and operators. Flexible US-based location with Eastern or Central Time preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering large data centre or critical infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial and contractual management capability.
• Degree and professional qualifications desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of large-scale data centre projects from planning to handover.
• Build relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership and deliver objectives across complex programmes.
• Establish governance, reporting, and delivery strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Client Management

Contract Management

Risk Management

Multidisciplinary Teams

Education

Bachelor's in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

CostX

Job description

Project Executive - Data Centre & Critical Infrastructure

Location: Flexible (US-Based) - Eastern or Central Time Preferred but open for the right candidate

About the Opportunity

An established organisation operating within the mission-critical construction and infrastructure sector is seeking an experienced Project Executive to lead the delivery of major data centre and critical infrastructure programmes across North America.

This senior leadership role will oversee projects from initial planning and development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and final handover. Working closely with clients, consultants and delivery partners, you will provide strategic direction, commercial oversight and executive leadership across complex, high-value developments.

The successful individual will have the opportunity to work on some of the industry's most significant digital infrastructure programmes, partnering with leading owners, developers and occupiers while ensuring exceptional standards of quality, safety, commercial performance and programme delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of multiple large-scale data centre and critical infrastructure projects from planning through completion.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, utility providers and key project stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership throughout all phases of project delivery, ensuring commercial, operational and programme objectives are achieved.
• Establish project governance, reporting structures, delivery strategies and communication plans.
• Support early-stage planning activities including feasibility studies, due diligence and development planning.
• Manage the appointment and coordination of multidisciplinary consultant teams.
• Develop project budgets, schedules, execution strategies and risk management plans.
• Coordinate external stakeholders including utilities, permitting authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Oversee design management, ensuring technical solutions support programme objectives and operational requirements.
• Lead contractor procurement, commercial evaluations and contract administration.
• Provide executive oversight of construction activities including programme management, cost control, quality assurance and change management.
• Proactively identify and manage project risks while driving successful project outcomes.
• Support commissioning, operational readiness and project closeout.
• Mentor project teams and promote collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Champion the highest standards of safety, governance and project execution.

The Candidate

We are seeking an accomplished project or programme executive with significant experience delivering complex construction or infrastructure projects within the data centre, mission-critical, industrial or related sectors.

You will have a proven ability to lead projects throughout the complete development lifecycle, from early planning and design through construction, commissioning and operational handover.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience leading large, multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong commercial and contractual management capability.
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience delivering technically complex construction programmes.
• A thorough understanding of project controls, procurement, budgeting, scheduling and risk management.
• Knowledge of MEP systems and commissioning within complex facilities is advantageous.
• Previous experience within consultancy, programme management, owner's representation, development or client-side environments would be beneficial.
• A degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as PMP, CCM or equivalent are desirable.

The Opportunity

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a highly respected organisation delivering some of the largest and most technically challenging digital infrastructure programmes in North America.

You will play a key leadership role within a collaborative, high-performing environment while working alongside some of the industry's most experienced professionals.