Senior Project Manager (Data Center)

Senior Project Manager – Data Center Construction (2 Positions)

Location: Greater Chicago, Illinois, USA

Industry: Data Centers / Mission Critical Construction

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Working Arrangement: Site-Based

Vacancies: 2

The Opportunity

TEC Group International is partnering with a leading global Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) organization to recruit two experienced Senior Project Managers for major Data Center construction projects in the Chicago area.

These are excellent opportunities to join an internationally recognized business delivering complex, technically demanding mission-critical facilities for some of the world's leading technology and infrastructure organizations.

We are seeking experienced construction professionals who have a proven track record of managing large-scale Data Center projects from preconstruction through execution, commissioning and final handover.

The successful candidates will take ownership of project delivery, coordinating multidisciplinary construction teams, subcontractors, engineering disciplines and client stakeholders to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the execution of large-scale Data Center construction projects, taking responsibility for safety, quality, schedule, budget and overall project performance.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, from preconstruction and mobilization through construction, commissioning, closeout and client handover.
• Develop and implement project execution plans, construction strategies, delivery milestones and resource requirements.
• Provide leadership to Project Managers, Construction Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents and supporting project teams.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients, subcontractors, consultants and internal stakeholders.

Construction Management

• Oversee multidisciplinary construction activities across Civil, Structural and Architectural (CSA), Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) disciplines.
• Coordinate major building systems, including electrical infrastructure, HVAC, cooling systems, building management systems and associated mission-critical equipment.
• Manage construction sequencing, subcontractor interfaces, site logistics and technical coordination.
• Ensure effective integration between engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning activities.
• Identify construction risks, resolve technical issues and implement corrective actions to maintain project progress.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Take responsibility for project budgets, cost forecasting, financial performance and commercial reporting.
• Manage subcontractor procurement, contract administration, variations, change orders and commercial negotiations.
• Monitor project expenditure, commitments and cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Identify opportunities to improve project efficiency, mitigate commercial risk and protect profitability.
• Oversee long-lead equipment procurement and coordinate Owner Furnished Contractor Installed (OFCI) equipment delivery and installation.

Scheduling & Project Controls

• Establish and manage detailed construction schedules, key milestones and critical-path activities.
• Work closely with planning and project controls teams to monitor progress and identify potential delays.
• Develop recovery strategies and mitigation plans where project performance falls behind programme.
• Provide accurate reporting on project status, financial performance, schedule risks and resource requirements.

Quality, Safety & Commissioning

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Maintain high standards of construction quality and technical compliance.
• Coordinate construction completion, testing, commissioning and integrated systems testing activities.
• Support successful client handover, documentation closeout and operational readiness.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience managing complex construction projects for a General Contractor (GC), EPC contractor or major construction management contractor with direct delivery responsibility .
• Proven experience delivering large-scale Data Center, hyperscale, colocation or other mission-critical construction projects.
• Demonstrated success in a Senior Project Manager or comparable senior construction delivery position.
• Strong knowledge of multidisciplinary construction, including CSA and MEP systems.
• Experience managing substantial project budgets, subcontractor packages, schedules and commercial performance.
• Ability to lead large, multidisciplinary construction teams and coordinate multiple subcontractors.
• Strong client-facing communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience delivering projects through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Willingness to work full-time on-site in the Chicago area.

Highly Desirable

• Experience working for a leading national or international Data Center GC/EPC contractor.
• Previous delivery of hyperscale Data Center campuses or large-scale mission-critical facilities.
• Experience with complex electrical distribution, critical power, cooling infrastructure and integrated commissioning.
• Experience managing OFCI equipment, long-lead procurement and vendor interfaces.
• Experience delivering projects within live or operational Data Center environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• PMP, CCM or equivalent professional certification.

What Makes This Opportunity Attractive?

• Join a globally established engineering and construction organization with a strong presence in the rapidly expanding US Data Center market.
• Work on high-value, technically complex mission-critical construction projects.
• Take a senior leadership role with significant responsibility for project execution and delivery.
• Collaborate with experienced engineering, construction and project controls professionals.
• Benefit from long-term career development opportunities within a growing international business.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience.

TEC Group International is managing the recruitment process for these two appointments.

We are particularly interested in speaking with Senior Project Managers currently working for leading General Contractors or EPC organizations delivering Data Center and mission-critical construction projects.

If you have a strong background in contractor-side project delivery and are interested in exploring a senior construction leadership opportunity in Chicago, we would welcome a confidential conversation.