Project Manager

Black Box

DeKalb (IL)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Opportunities for advancement

Be part of a landmark data centerbuild

Job summary

Black Box is seeking a Data Center Project Manager to lead the construction of a major data center project. You will manage the full lifecycle from initiation to commissioning, applying PMO standards, safety practices, cost controls, and schedule management.

You will coordinate across teams, manage stakeholders, and ensure on-time, within-budget delivery, while maintaining high quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, or related field required.
Minimum 5 years of experience leading construction/project management in data centers or equivalent infrastructure.
Proven ability to manage complex projects across multiple contract models (GMP, design-build, fixed price).

Responsibilities

Owns day-to-day DC Field Ops management (capacity, network services, physical layer)
Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules
Oversee all phases of project execution, ensuring alignment with scope, timeline, and budget
Identify and manage change events, applying best practice change management processes
Continuous measure & drive service quality against defined SLAs/KPIs
Acts as the on-site escalation point for planning, scheduling, work prioritization, and ticket resolution with cross-functional partners
Define priorities, build roadmaps, and lead cross-functional delivery by holding owners accountable
Manage changes to scope, timelines, and resources with clear stakeholder alignment and communication
Enforce safety protocols and site standards across all project activities
Maintain adherence to building codes and industry standards
Participate in QA/QC for physical layer work and post-acceptance ownership
Own EHS compliance and drive safe execution through audits and correct routing of out-of-scope work
Apply project accounting practices to support forecasting, budget reviews, and financial reporting
Monitor vendor performance, approve invoices, and track project expenditures
Prepare presentations and lead briefings for internal teams and leadership
Build trusted stakeholder relationships and represent field needs for tooling and process improvements
Provide status reporting and roadmap updates on a regular cadence
Facilitate cross-functional forums to keep teams aligned under time pressure
Identify delivery risks and blockers early and lead mitigation efforts

Skills

Project management

Data center operations

Budgeting

Scheduling

Change management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Procore

Textura

AutoCAD

Excel

Job description

Project Manager - Data Center Operations

At Black Box, we\'re not just building infrastructure-we\'re shaping the digital backbone of the future. As a Data Center Project Manager, you will be at the forefront of one of the most transformative infrastructure programs in the country: constructing the largest data center in the United States. This is an opportunity to lead major, high visibility work that directly impacts the next generation of connectivity and cloud innovation.

In this role, you\'ll oversee the full lifecycle of data center construction projects, ensuring flawless execution through disciplined application of PMO standards, safety practices, cost controls, and schedule management. You\'ll set the tone for operational excellence, drive collaboration across teams, and help define what \"best in class\" means for modern data center deployment.

Black Box is a global leader in IT solutions and technology integration-trusted for delivering complex projects with precision, innovation, and integrity. Here, you\'ll join a purpose driven culture built on shared ownership, accountability, and a commitment to surpassing expectations.

Why Top Talent Thrives Here

High profile, global technology infrastructure projects
A fast-paced environment where your expertise is valued
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
Opportunities for advancement in one of the world\'s largest Technology Solutions Integrators
The chance to contribute to a historic, industry defining build

If you\'re ready to elevate your career and make a lasting mark on digital infrastructure, we want to meet you.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution

Owns day-to-day DC Field Ops management (capacity, network services, physical layer)
Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules
Oversee all phases of project execution, ensuring alignment with scope, timeline, and budget
Identify and manage change events, applying best practice change management processes
Continuous measure & drive service quality against defined SLAs/KPIs
Acts as the on-site (DC) escalation point / coordinator for planning, scheduling, work prioritization, and ticket resolution with XFN partners and site teams
Define priorities, build roadmaps, and lead cross-functional delivery by holding owners accountable, tracking progress, and driving adoption
Manage changes to scope, timelines, and resources with clear stakeholder alignment and communication

Safety, Quality & Compliance

Enforce safety protocols, procedures, and site standards across all project activities
Ensure quality control through consistent documentation, tracking, and reporting
Maintain adherence to construction technology platforms, building codes, and industry standards
Manage escalations and incidents by coordinating updates, driving action items to closure, and delivering concise leadership reports
Identify delivery risks and blockers early and lead mitigation efforts across teams
Process improvement / SOP governance: develops/standardizes SOPs and implements best practices at scale
Own QA/QC for physical layer work, including structured cabling, with plant ownership post-acceptance and project intake reviews
Own EHS Compliance and drive safe execution through procedural adherence, audits, and correct routing of out-of-scope work

Financial & Contract Management

Apply project management accounting practices to support forecasting, budget reviews, and financial reporting
Manage contracting and delivery methods including lump sum, cost-plus, GMP, design build, and time & material
Monitor vendor performance, approve invoices, and track project expenditures

Stakeholder Communication

Serve as the primary point of contact for internal teams, cross functional teams, clients, subcontractors, and senior leadership
Communicate project status, risks, milestones, and priorities clearly and confidently
Prepare presentations and lead briefings for both small and large groups
Active monitoring of communication portals
Own service delivery by managing resource utilization, coordinating onboarding and training, and enforcing accountability to standards
Build trusted stakeholder relationships and represent field needs to drive tooling and process improvements
Provides status reporting: roadmap updates, risks, mitigation plans, and critical changes communicated on a regular cadence
Facilitates cross-functional forums (planning sessions, reviews, war rooms) and keeps teams aligned under time pressure

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

Anticipate issues, mitigate risks, and drive timely resolution of conflicts
Apply data driven insights to influence decisions and optimize project performance
Promote a culture of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement on site
Customer facing POC being the main conduit to communication with other cross functional partners
Ability to adapt to changes in tooling and processes due to continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements

Proficient in using data and analytics to support informed decision making
Extensive knowledge of construction safety protocols and regulatory requirements
Strong understanding of estimating engineering principles and construction methodologies
Experience with change management processes and documentation
Solid understanding of construction accounting, cost forecasting, and budgeting
Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-driven with the ability to adapt to evolving project needs
Proficient in business and industry tools including MS Office, Bluebeam, Procore, Textura, and other construction platforms
In-depth knowledge of data center infrastructure and emerging technologies
Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach
Ability to work independently and make informed decisions
Willingness to travel as needed to support project requirements

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Minimum 5 years of experience in construction/project management in a leadership role, with a data center focus
Experience managing large data center or structured cabling construction projects
Experience across multiple contract and delivery models (GMP, design build, fixed price, etc.)
Exceptional leadership skills to guide and inspire diverse teams

Preferred Certifications