Senior Superintendent

Travelling Senior Superintendent – Data Center Construction

Position Summary:

The Senior Superintendent is responsible for the overall field leadership and successful execution of large-scale, mission-critical data center construction projects. This position oversees all on-site construction activities, ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

As the senior field leader, the Senior Superintendent directs multiple superintendents, assistant superintendents, field engineers, and trade partners while coordinating closely with the Project Executive, Project Manager, MEP Project Manager, design consultants, commissioning teams, and owner representatives. This role is accountable for delivering highly complex hyperscale data centers from site mobilization through commissioning and final turnover.

The position requires nationwide travel and temporary relocation to project sites across the United States.

Primary Responsibilities:

Overall Project Leadership:

• Lead all field operations for large-scale data center construction projects.
• Develop and execute comprehensive field management plans from mobilization through project completion.
• Direct and mentor project superintendents, MEP superintendents, assistant superintendents, and field engineers.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Represent the company professionally with owners, architects, engineers, inspectors, and trade partners.

Construction Management:

Oversee all phases of construction, including:

• Site development
• Earthwork and utilities
• Foundations
• Structural concrete and steel
• Building envelope
• Interior construction
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing
• Fire protection
• Building Automation Systems (BAS)
• Security and low-voltage systems
• Equipment installation
• Commissioning
• Final turnover

Ensure all construction activities are properly sequenced to maximize productivity and minimize rework.

Schedule Leadership:

• Own the master construction schedule from field execution through project completion.
• Lead pull-planning and Lean Construction scheduling sessions.
• Coordinate critical path activities across all trades.
• Monitor project milestones and proactively implement recovery plans.
• Ensure long-lead equipment procurement aligns with installation schedules.
• Drive timely completion of owner turnover milestones.

Safety Leadership:

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards.
• Conduct regular safety audits, field observations, and leadership walks.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Promote proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation.

Field Coordination:

• Coordinate work among all subcontractors and self-perform crews.
• Resolve conflicts between civil, structural, architectural, and MEP activities.
• Lead daily subcontractor coordination meetings.
• Manage site logistics, access, deliveries, crane operations, and material flow.
• Coordinate inspections with authorities having jurisdiction.

Quality Management:

• Ensure all work complies with project specifications, contract documents, manufacturer requirements, and applicable building codes.
• Lead quality assurance and quality control efforts throughout construction.
• Review inspection reports and corrective action plans.
• Verify readiness for commissioning and owner acceptance.
• Drive completion of punch list items and closeout documentation.

MEP & Commissioning Oversight:

• Partner with the MEP Superintendent and MEP Project Manager to ensure successful installation of all mission-critical systems.
• Monitor commissioning readiness and integrated systems testing.
• Coordinate startup activities with equipment vendors and commissioning agents.
• Ensure successful turnover of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, controls, and specialty systems.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary field representative for the owner.
• Maintain strong relationships with architects, engineers, consultants, and trade partners.
• Communicate project status, risks, and recovery plans to executive leadership.
• Lead owner walks, inspections, and executive progress meetings.
• Resolve field issues promptly while maintaining positive client relationships.

Risk Management:

• Identify schedule, quality, safety, procurement, and labor risks before they impact project performance.
• Develop mitigation strategies for critical construction activities.
• Coordinate contingency planning for weather, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions.
• Maintain proactive communication regarding project risks and corrective actions.

Team Leadership:

• Mentor and develop project superintendents, assistant superintendents, and field engineers.
• Conduct regular performance coaching and leadership development.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the project team.
• Build a high-performing field organization focused on delivering exceptional results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (preferred), or equivalent construction experience.
• 15+ years of commercial construction experience.
• 7+ years leading large commercial or mission-critical projects as a Superintendent or Senior Superintendent.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects valued at $250 million or greater.
• Data center, semiconductor, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, or industrial construction experience strongly preferred.

Technical Knowledge:

Comprehensive understanding of:

• Structural concrete and structural steel
• Building envelope systems
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical distribution
• Medium-voltage infrastructure
• UPS systems
• Standby generators
• Chilled water systems
• HVAC systems
• Fire protection
• Building Automation Systems (BAS)
• Low-voltage and security systems
• Commissioning and Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
• Building codes and OSHA regulations

Software Proficiency:

• Procore
• Autodesk Construction Cloud / BIM 360
• Bluebeam Revu
• Primavera P6
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office Suite

Leadership Competencies:

Successful Senior Superintendents demonstrate:

• Strategic decision-making
• Exceptional leadership presence
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Accountability and ownership
• Effective conflict resolution
• Team development and mentoring
• Operational excellence
• Lean Construction principles
• Client-focused leadership
• Calm decision-making under pressure

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel nationwide for project assignments.
• Willingness to temporarily relocate for projects lasting 12–36 months.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and night shifts during critical project milestones.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance is measured by:

• Safety performance
• Schedule adherence
• Quality metrics
• Labor productivity
• Subcontractor performance
• Commissioning readiness
• Client satisfaction
• Budget support
• Successful project turnover
• Team development and retention

What Success Looks Like:

A successful Senior Superintendent consistently delivers complex hyperscale data center projects that are safe, efficient, and completed on schedule while maintaining the highest standards of quality. They are a visible and respected leader on the jobsite, capable of coordinating hundreds of craft workers, multiple superintendents, and dozens of subcontractors. Through proactive planning, decisive leadership, and strong communication, they create an environment where teams perform at their best and owners receive exceptional project outcomes.

The Senior Superintendent serves as the driving force behind field execution, ensuring every aspect of construction—from earthwork and structural steel to MEP commissioning and owner turnover—is completed with precision, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.