Project Executive

Job Title: Project Executive – Data Center Mechanical ConstructionJob Description

The Project Executive leads a major data center mechanical construction project from early planning through completion, providing strategic direction, execution planning, budgeting, staffing, trade coordination, and client engagement. This role owns the performance of the mechanical scope within data halls, ensuring that all work meets quality, schedule, and safety expectations while supporting mission-critical operations. The Project Executive collaborates closely with project leadership, field operations, subcontractors, and the General Contractor to deliver a complex mechanical package that includes direct cooling systems and flush-and-fill operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for a large-scale data center mechanical construction project from preconstruction through turnover.

• Develop and drive project strategy, including execution planning, budgeting, staffing plans, and resource allocation for the mechanical scope.

• Oversee all aspects of mechanical construction within the data halls, including direct cooling systems and flush-and-fill operations.

• Lead project performance management, ensuring mechanical work meets quality, schedule, budget, and safety targets.

• Implement and champion TAKT Planning methodologies to improve workflow efficiency, trade coordination, and schedule reliability.

• Lead planning sessions with internal teams and trade partners to sequence work, coordinate trades, and align on milestones.

• Manage HVAC, chilled water, direct cooling, piping, commissioning, and startup activities for critical mechanical infrastructure.

• Direct project teams and maintain accountability for project outcomes, including risk management and issue resolution.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, owners, the General Contractor, and key project stakeholders.

• Coordinate closely with field operations and subcontractors to ensure effective execution of mechanical construction activities.

• Monitor project risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect schedule, budget, and operational performance.

• Oversee project controls such as forecasting, schedule development, and recovery planning to keep the project on track.

• Support and enforce quality assurance and quality control programs for all mechanical work.

• Promote safety leadership and compliance oversight across all mechanical construction activities.

• Participate in change order management, procurement planning, and long-lead equipment coordination as needed.

• Engage in owner and GC relationship management, representing the mechanical scope in meetings and decision-making forums.

• Contribute to operational excellence by influencing project strategy, execution approaches, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Skills

• 3–4+ years of direct data center construction experience, including mission-critical projects from preconstruction through turnover.

• Proven experience with data center construction, including commercial construction and MEP-intensive projects.

• Strong understanding of data hall construction sequencing and commissioning for hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data centers.

• Extensive background overseeing large-scale mechanical construction projects in a commercial or mission-critical environment.

• Hands-on experience managing HVAC, chilled water, direct cooling, piping, commissioning, and startup activities.

• Deep knowledge of data center cooling systems and critical mechanical infrastructure supporting mission-critical facilities.

• Demonstrated expertise implementing TAKT Planning methodologies on complex construction projects.

• Ability to drive workflow efficiency, trade coordination, and schedule reliability using structured planning techniques.

• Experience leading planning sessions with internal teams and trade partners to align scope, schedule, and resources.

• background serving as a Project Executive, Senior Project Manager, or equivalent executive-level project management role.

• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, staffing plans, risk management, and client relationships.

• Track record of directing multidisciplinary project teams while maintaining accountability for project outcomes.

• Strong project management and construction management skills, including mechanical and preconstruction experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with mission-critical facility construction, particularly in data centers or similar environments.

• Mechanical systems commissioning experience, including functional testing and performance verification.

• Skills in schedule development, recovery planning, and maintaining critical path on complex projects.

• Experience with project controls and forecasting to support financial and schedule performance.

• background in owner and General Contractor relationship management, including stakeholder communication.

• Subcontractor management experience, including selection, coordination, and performance oversight.

• Familiarity with quality assurance and quality control programs for mechanical construction.

• Experience providing safety leadership and compliance oversight on construction sites.

• Knowledge of change order management processes and documentation requirements.

• Experience with procurement and planning for long-lead mechanical equipment and materials.

• Interest in career growth within the rapidly expanding data center market sector.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership and key project stakeholders.

• Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills suited to a visible leadership position.

Work Environment

This role operates in a combination of office, project site, and stakeholder meeting environments. During the early phases, the focus is on planning, preconstruction, and strategy development, with limited field presence while design, sequencing, and TAKT Planning are established. As construction activities ramp up, onsite involvement increases, including regular coordination with field operations, subcontractors, and the General Contractor. The project environment is fast-paced and mission-critical, centered around advanced mechanical systems and data center infrastructure. The Project Executive works closely with project teams, owners, trade partners, and the General Contractor, engaging in frequent collaboration and decision-making that directly impacts project success and long-term operational performance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Dallas, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Dallas,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.