Project Manager (Data Center, vendor procurement + commissioning )

Kelly Digital Infrastructure; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Digital Infrastructure is seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong background in data center or mission-critical construction projects. You will manage budgets, vendor procurement, commissioning, and project closeout, coordinating with Construction, Supply Chain, and Operations teams.

The role requires hands-on budget tracking, PO management, and readiness planning, with emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and project controls. PMP is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of project management experience in data center or mission-critical construction environments.
• Experience managing project budgets, forecasts, vendor relationships, and procurement activities.
• Preference for owner-side or data center operator experience rather than GC.
• Working knowledge of data center MEP systems, including switchgear, UPS, generators, cooling, BMS, and security.
• Direct experience with vendor procurement and purchasing in a corporate environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet or similar PM tools.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and coordinate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Budget Management: Track project budgets, forecasts, variances, and financial changes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Vendor Procurement & Sourcing: Obtain quotes, manage purchase orders, track equipment deliveries, and reconcile invoices for hardware and software solutions.
• Commissioning & Closeout: Coordinate commissioning activities, project completion, and final closeout.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with Construction, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to manage schedules, submittals, and long-lead equipment.
• Project Controls: Maintain integrated schedules, milestones, execution plans, RAID logs, project trackers, and status reports.
• Project Readiness & Turnover: Coordinate readiness planning, turnover activities, and punch-list resolution.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Vendor procurement

Data center knowledge

MS Excel

Smartsheet

multitask coordination

Tools

Smartsheet

Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong background in data center or mission-critical construction projects. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience managing project budgets, vendor procurement, purchasing, commissioning, and project closeout.

Key Responsibilities

• Budget Management: Track project budgets, forecasts, variances, and financial changes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Vendor Procurement & Sourcing: Obtain quotes, manage purchase orders, track equipment deliveries, and reconcile invoices for hardware and software solutions, including BMS, security, and operations platforms.
• Commissioning & Closeout: Coordinate commissioning activities, project completion, and final closeout.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with Construction, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to manage schedules, submittals, and long-lead equipment.
• Project Controls: Maintain integrated schedules, milestones, execution plans, RAID logs, project trackers, and status reports.
• Project Readiness & Turnover: Coordinate readiness planning, turnover activities, and punch-list resolution.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of project management experience in data center or mission-critical construction environments.
• Experience managing project budgets, forecasts, vendor relationships, and procurement activities.
• Preference for candidates with owner-side or data center operator experience rather than exclusively General Contractor experience.
• Working knowledge of data center MEP systems, including switchgear, UPS systems, generators, cooling systems, Building Management Systems (BMS), and physical security.
• Direct experience with vendor procurement and purchasing and sourcing in a corporate environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Smartsheet or similar project management tools.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and coordinate across multiple teams.

Preferred: PMP certification (not required).