Director, Construction, NA

Vantage Data Centers•Denver, CO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Construction manages a campus that may include multiple buildings and teams and provides overall leadership for large-scale new development construction projects. The role is responsible for the entire project life cycle, from project initiation and design through construction and turnover to Vantage Operations and the customer. The position is based on-site in Denver, Colorado, or Phoenix, Arizona, and requires an expected 10–30% travel, which may increase as the business evolves. The Construction team delivers physical data centers from shovel-ready status through commissioning. It implements work developed by the Development & Engineering team and works with Sales, Operations, management, customers, vendors, and contractors. Vantage’s internal construction teams have the responsibility and authority to drive decision-making, balancing long-term operational sustainability, value engineering, and cost metrics in support of corporate goals. The Director leads and develops construction teams, oversees pre-construction, construction, commissioning, and closeout, manages budgets and project controls, and ensures data centers and required documentation are accurately and promptly handed over to Operations and customers. The position also manages vendor and contractor relationships and drives continuous improvement through lessons learned.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management or a similar field, or equivalent experience.
12–15 years of experience managing construction projects required.
Experience in CSA (civil, structural, architectural) and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) construction management.
Complex and technical construction experience.
Strong leadership capabilities and a track record of coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing team members.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Working understanding of project scheduling concepts and tools such as MS Project or P6.
Strong working knowledge of critical power and cooling infrastructure systems.
Familiarity with applicable building codes, fire ordinances, and regulatory requirements.
Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation standards.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-solving mindset focused on continuous improvement.
High level of integrity and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

15–20 years of construction project management experience preferred.
Data center experience is strongly preferred.
Proficiency in data center design and familiarity with North American construction markets preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate and promote Vantage’s values of Trust, Accountability, Respect, and Agility.
Lead, develop, and mentor construction teams, aligning them with organizational goals, performance expectations, and key initiatives.
Track staff utilization and manage resource allocation and project workflow across direct reports and contingent workers.
Support sales and leasing efforts by engaging customers, gathering requirements, and advancing capital improvement projects through internal approvals.
Lead pre-construction activities, including master planning, design development, permitting, and entitlements; ensure alignment with project requirements, codes, engineering standards, and lease obligations.
Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders, establish project budgets, and lead vendor and contractor selection, including RFPs, bidding, and contract negotiations.
Oversee on-site construction and commissioning to ensure alignment with scope, schedule, and quality standards.
Manage project budgets, forecasting, and financial performance; lead contractor execution, validate progress, provide regular project reporting, and identify and implement process improvements and efficiencies.
Oversee project closeout and transition of the data center and documentation to Operations and customers, ensuring deliverables and handoff requirements are completed accurately and on time.
Manage vendor and contractor relationships from qualification through performance oversight and ongoing partnership management.
Establish and enforce project controls for productivity, cost, schedule, and workforce performance; ensure accurate reporting, validate progress against plans, and drive corrective actions as needed.
Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into the feedback loop to drive continuous improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.