Director, Data Center Development & Construction

Location : Richmond, VA

JOB DESCRIPTION

A next generation data center development & real estate company is seeking a Director to support Data Center Development & Construction projects in the Greater Richmond, VA area. This person will work as part of a cross-functional team supporting a wide range of mission-critical data center development and construction projects. This position is primarily responsible for managing assigned projects from preconstruction through execution, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

This role is also responsible for coordinating consultants, contractors, internal stakeholders, and vendors to deliver projects in accordance with company standards.

The Director is critical to ensuring disciplined execution, proactive issue management, and timely project delivery.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end to end delivery of a turnkey data center construction project within existing facilities from preconstruction through commissioning and client handover
• Own day-to-day project execution activities, including coordination with general contractors, MEP trade partners, architects, engineers, and key vendors.
• Manage and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including development agreements, permits, drawings, specifications, contracts, change orders, and closeout materials.
• Develop, manage, and track project schedules; review schedule, identify and escalate potential risks, delays, or deviations to senior leadership in a timely and solutions-oriented manner.
• Lead project meeting management, including planning agendas, facilitating meetings, documenting minutes, and tracking action items to resolution.
• Manage project budgets in coordination with accounting, acquisitions team, asset management, and leadership, including reviewing job cost reports, evaluating cost-to-complete forecasts, and identifying variances.
• Review, evaluate, and negotiate change orders; ensure scope, cost, and schedule impacts are fully assessed and documented prior to approval.
• Own construction contract administration, including issuing contracts, reviewing pay applications and lien releases, and ensuring compliance with contractual, safety, and quality requirements.
• Implement and enforce project controls, change management processes, and communication plans to prevent scope creep and manage risk.
• Monitor contractor performance to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and contractual requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field, or equivalent additional professional experience in lieu of degree.
• 5+ years of construction or development project management experience on mission-critical or technically complex commercial construction projects, including data centers or high-density MEP environments.
• Hyperscale data center experience
• Strong proficiency in construction contracts, cost controls, scheduling, and change management.
• Strong ownership mindset with accountability for delivering projects to approved cost, schedule, and quality targets.
• Proficient in executing project level Sustainability plans, including understanding of relevant data center sustainability metrics (e.g., PUE, WUE).
• Proven ability to lead complex projects with multiple stakeholders, exercising sound judgment to evaluate risk, resolve issues, and drive decisions aligned with business objectives.
• Proactive problem solver who anticipates barriers, develops mitigation strategies, and adapts effectively in fast‑paced, dynamic project environments.
• Clear, professional communicator with the ability to convey complex information effectively to internal teams and external partners, both verbally and in writing.
• Proficient in project management and financial systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, Yardi, Primavera P6, and cloud‑based construction platforms such as Procore or Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Compensation : $200k to $240k per year annual salary.

Exact compensation may vary based on several factors, including skills, experience, and education.

Benefit packages for this role may include healthcare insurance offerings and paid leave as provided by applicable law.