Data Center Project Manager

DATA CENTER SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary

The 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):

Project Management & Execution

• 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 times
• Develop comprehensive project plans encompassing scope of work, schedules, budgets, manpower requirements, and procurement timelines across all trade scopes
• Monitor and manage all assigned projects to comply with safety, quality, productivity, and profitability requirements specific to mission-critical data center environments
• Track project expenditures and installation progress through regular review of status reports; modify schedules and plans as required
• Perform monthly Cost to Complete reports for all ongoing projects and review findings with the Data Center Operations Manager
• Identify and communicate changes in project scope, schedule, or labor requirements in a timely manner
• Coordinate change orders promptly across all trade scopes and drive toward overall margin improvement on every project
• Ensure AHJ requirements, owner specifications, and all departmental procedures are followed on every project
• Understand 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 requirements

Customer & Stakeholder Communication

• Serve 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 managers
• Provide responsive, concise, accurate, and professional support to all customers and internal personnel; ensure timely follow-up on all customer concerns and issues
• Oversee and communicate project progression to all project team members, customers, and management
• Coordinate with Superintendents to ensure customers receive timely responses and project updates
• Convey professionalism, fairness, and genuine concern for customers, field labor, and management in all interactions

Coordination & Collaboration

• Actively participate in turnover meetings, design meetings, post-job reviews, and department meetings
• Attend job site pre-construction meetings, coordination meetings, and owner/GC meetings as required
• Attend inspections as a licensed representative, as needed
• Coordinate with the Data Center Operations Manager on long-range project planning and scheduling
• Coordinate with Construction Project Coordinators on pipe-on-job schedules, inspections, fabrication deliveries, and equipment deliveries
• Gather fabrication quotes for Data Center Operations Manager release to suppliers
• Review loose material quotes on new projects to ensure budgets are accurate prior to award
• Coordinate with other departments - including Designers, Estimators, Construction Administrators, and trade-specific teams - to ensure proper handover of project information and cross-trade alignment
• Coordinate with individual trade superintendents, project coordinators, and line-of-business managers to ensure seamless execution across all scopes on assigned data center projects

Leadership & Growth

• Operate as a senior-level individual contributor, setting the standard for project management excellence within the data center vertical
• Share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned with the broader project management and operations team
• As the vertical grows, assume leadership responsibilities over junior project managers or project coordinators as directed by the Data Center Operations Manager
• Recommend improvements in project management procedures and overall company business practices
• Contribute to the development of data center-specific project management standards, tools, and workflows

Knowledge:

• High School diploma or GED required
• Higher education degree or equivalent work experience preferred
• Deep familiarity with NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 750, NFPA 2001, and FM Global data sheets relevant to data center fire protection
• Working knowledge of data center construction phases, critical environment protocols (hot aisle/cold aisle, raised floor, MEP coordination), and commissioning processes
• Ability to read and understand complex architectural, mechanical, and electrical construction documents in the context of mission-critical facilities

Work Experience:

• 7+ years of fire and life safety construction project management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Data 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 environment
• Experience 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 simultaneously
• Experience managing projects involving pre-action systems, clean agent suppression, or fire alarm in mission-critical environments strongly preferred
• Multi-trade project management experience preferred; single-trade candidates with strong data center backgrounds and demonstrated leadership capability are encouraged to apply
• Experience interfacing with hyperscale developers, colocation operators, or data center general contractors preferred
• Demonstrated financial management experience, including budget tracking, cost-to-complete reporting, and change order management

Work Expectations:

• Believe in, live, and support our Mission Statement and Core Values daily

Mission Statement:

Continually setting the standard of excellence in fire and life safety

Core Values:

• Safety First
• Integrity
• Customer Focused
• Humility
• Ownership
• Teamwork

• Communicate effectively and professionally with all internal and external customers, including data center owners, commissioning agents, general contractors, and field personnel
• Understand and follow all HR and safety initiatives and processes
• Support and ensure adherence to all company SOPs across every trade scope on assigned projects
• Ensure inventory and material control measures are in place, with attention to long-lead special hazards and pre-action components
• Ensure proper management and accountability of subcontractors, including coordination of scopes and review of subcontractor performance
• Maintain quality control across all aspects of assigned project operations
• Ensure customer satisfaction and respond to customer satisfaction survey feedback
• Travel to project sites throughout Texas and to remote areas in other states where data center work is being performed, as required by project activity
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Data Center Operations Manager or executive management

Skills 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 detection
• Ability to manage large-scale, complex programs with sustained focus and attention to detail in a mission-critical environment
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with both internal and external customers, including executive-level stakeholders
• Meticulous attention to detail with strong organizational skills
• Ability to locate, interpret, and apply applicable codes, standards, and owner specifications across multiple trade scopes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and construction project management and ERP platforms (e.g., Sage Intacct or equivalent)
• Ability to maintain accurate, auditable project records
• Strong adherence to deadlines with the ability to effectively prioritize within a complex, multi-scope program environment
• Ability to interact effectively with employees, customers, and stakeholders in challenging situations
• Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites in Texas and remote locations in other states

Certifications:

• NICET Level III Fire Protection Engineering Technology (Sprinkler) or higher strongly desired
• Additional NICET certifications in Fire Alarm or Special Hazards a plus
• Relevant state fire protection licensing preferred