Data Center Project Manager

Data Center Senior Project ManagerThe Data Center Senior Project Manager is a results-driven, technically skilled leader responsible for the successful planning, execution, and closeout of fire and life safety construction projects within the data center vertical. This is a high-accountability, individual contributor role focused on managing one to two large-scale, complex data center programs at a time — each demanding dedicated expertise, mission-critical precision, and sustained engagement from pre-construction through system commissioning and closeout.This individual manages projects across multiple trade scopes — including fire sprinkler, pre-action, fire alarm, special hazards suppression, and underground fire protection — delivering integrated fire and life safety systems to data center owners, hyperscale developers, and colocation operators on schedule and within budget. The scope and complexity of this role reflect the unique demands of the data center vertical, where project scale, owner expectations, schedule pressure, and technical requirements far exceed those of traditional commercial construction.As the data center vertical grows, this role has the potential to evolve to include direct leadership responsibilities, including oversight of junior project managers or project coordinators supporting the program.Reporting to the Data Center Operations Manager, this role requires travel to project sites throughout Texas and to remote areas in other states where data center work is being performed.Job Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):Serve as the dedicated senior project manager for one to two large-scale data center fire and life safety construction programs, maintaining deep familiarity with every aspect of each project at all timesDevelop comprehensive project plans encompassing scope of work, schedules, budgets, manpower requirements, and procurement timelines across all trade scopesMonitor and manage all assigned projects to comply with safety, quality, productivity, and profitability requirements specific to mission-critical data center environmentsTrack project expenditures and installation progress through regular review of status reports; modify schedules and plans as requiredPerform monthly Cost to Complete reports for all ongoing projects and review findings with the Data Center Operations ManagerIdentify and communicate changes in project scope, schedule, or labor requirements in a timely mannerCoordinate change orders promptly across all trade scopes and drive toward overall margin improvement on every projectEnsure AHJ requirements, owner specifications, and all departmental procedures are followed on every projectUnderstand and apply all relevant published codes, standards, and project-specific specifications, including NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 750, NFPA 2001, and FM Global data sheet requirementsCustomer & Stakeholder CommunicationServe as the primary point of contact for customers throughout project execution; positively represent the company in all interactions with data center owners, hyperscale developers, colocation operators, general contractors, and construction managersProvide responsive, concise, accurate, and professional support to all customers and internal personnel; ensure timely follow-up on all customer concerns and issuesOversee and communicate project progression to all project team members, customers, and managementCoordinate with Superintendents to ensure customers receive timely responses and project updatesConvey professionalism, fairness, and genuine concern for customers, field labor, and management in all interactionsCoordination & CollaborationActively participate in turnover meetings, design meetings, post-job reviews, and department meetingsAttend job site pre-construction meetings, coordination meetings, and owner/GC meetings as requiredAttend inspections as a licensed representative, as neededCoordinate with the Data Center Operations Manager on long-range project planning and schedulingCoordinate with Construction Project Coordinators on pipe-on-job schedules, inspections, fabrication deliveries, and equipment deliveriesGather fabrication quotes for Data Center Operations Manager release to suppliersReview loose material quotes on new projects to ensure budgets are accurate prior to awardCoordinate with other departments — including Designers, Estimators, Construction Administrators, and trade-specific teams — to ensure proper handover of project information and cross-trade alignmentCoordinate with individual trade superintendents, project coordinators, and line-of-business managers to ensure seamless execution across all scopes on assigned data center projectsLeadership & GrowthOperate as a senior-level individual contributor, setting the standard for project management excellence within the data center verticalShare knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned with the broader project management and operations teamAs the vertical grows, assume leadership responsibilities over junior project managers or project coordinators as directed by the Data Center Operations ManagerRecommend improvements in project management procedures and overall company business practicesContribute to the development of data center-specific project management standards, tools, and workflowsKnowledge:High School diploma or GED requiredHigher education degree or equivalent work experience preferredDeep familiarity with NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 750, NFPA 2001, and FM Global data sheets relevant to data center fire protectionWorking knowledge of data center construction phases, critical environment protocols (hot aisle/cold aisle, raised floor, MEP coordination), and commissioning processesAbility to read and understand complex architectural, mechanical, and electrical construction documents in the context of mission-critical facilitiesWork Experience:7+ years of fire and life safety construction project management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experienceData center or mission-critical construction project management experience required; candidates must bring demonstrated familiarity with the schedule demands, owner expectations, and technical requirements of the data center environmentExperience managing large-scale, complex projects — not just high-volume smaller jobs — is essential; candidates should be comfortable with the depth of focus required when managing one to two major programs simultaneouslyExperience managing projects involving pre-action systems, clean agent suppression, or fire alarm in mission-critical environments strongly preferredMulti-trade project management experience preferred; single-trade candidates with strong data center backgrounds and demonstrated leadership capability are encouraged to applyExperience interfacing with hyperscale developers, colocation operators, or data center general contractors preferredDemonstrated financial management experience, including budget tracking, cost-to-complete reporting, and change order managementWork Expectations:Believe in, live, and support our Mission Statement and Core Values dailyMission Statement:Continually setting the standard of excellence in fire and life safetyCore Values:Safety FirstIntegrityCustomer FocusedHumilityOwnershipTeamworkCommunicate effectively and professionally with all internal and external customers, including data center owners, commissioning agents, general contractors, and field personnelUnderstand and follow all HR and safety initiatives and processesSupport and ensure adherence to all company SOPs across every trade scope on assigned projectsEnsure inventory and material control measures are in place, with attention to long-lead special hazards and pre-action componentsEnsure proper management and accountability of subcontractors, including coordination of scopes and review of subcontractor performanceMaintain quality control across all aspects of assigned project operationsEnsure customer satisfaction and respond to customer satisfaction survey feedbackTravel to project sites throughout Texas and to remote areas in other states where data center work is being performed, as required by project activityPerform other duties as assigned by the Data Center Operations Manager or executive managementSkills and Competencies:Strong working knowledge of fire and life safety systems in data center environments, including pre-action, clean agent suppression, fire alarm, and VESDA/early warning detectionAbility to manage large-scale, complex programs with sustained focus and attention to detail in a mission-