Director Data Center Development & Construction

Overwatch Mission Critical•Irving, TX

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Data Center Development & Construction coordinates the daily activities involved in entitlement, design, construction, and promotion of data center projects. Reporting to the SVP, Data Center Development & Construction, the Director works with consultants, design and engineering teams, general contractors, equipment suppliers, capital partners, and other stakeholders. The role is directly responsible for project development, including budgets, schedules, consultant and contractor procurement, contract administration, and overall project delivery and performance. The position is based at the project site in Irving, Texas, with a minimum travel requirement of 25% to headquarters. Travel may extend to additional project sites in the future. The role leads projects throughout their life cycle, coordinates entitlement and design work, manages public-agency requirements, budgets and schedules, and interfaces with general contractors from bidding through closeout. It also supports business plans and financial analysis, develops and executes sustainability plans, monitors project status, and helps maintain compliance with applicable laws and permits. The work takes place primarily in and around active data center construction areas, indoors and outdoors, including unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. The role requires navigating construction sites and using required personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, architecture/planning, business, or a related field, or significant relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.
10+ 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.
Advanced knowledge of data center development, design, and construction principles and practices.
Intermediate experience with financial models to understand project financial feasibility.
Ability to interpret federal, state, and local ordinances, regulations, and past approvals related to asset development.
Skill in drafting agreements and editing legal documents related to design and construction.
Ability to manage the complete infrastructure development life cycle across multiple projects and deadlines and produce detail-oriented work.
Skill in developing, coordinating, and maintaining project schedules.
Skill in developing and executing project-level sustainability plans, including understanding relevant data center sustainability metrics such as PUE and WUE.
Experience with project risk management and mitigation strategies.
Self-starter and team player able to identify problems and develop creative solutions in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with senior management, technical consultants, public-agency staff, employees, public officials, and community members.
Analytical ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze information to make decisions affecting operations or results.
Strong proficiency with computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite, Yardi, Primavera P6, and Aconex.
Valid driver’s license appropriate for the role and eligibility to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.
Ability to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods on uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
Ability to drive between job sites and access active construction-zone areas, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
Ability to tolerate outdoor weather, dust, construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
Ability to communicate with contractors, engineers, and site personnel and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
Sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage and observe site activity.
Must use required personal protective equipment, including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots.

Nice To Haves

Advanced business, real estate, or other related degree.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification.
Experience with hyperscale turnkey data center projects.
Specific knowledge of the data center entitlement and permitting process.
Experience in real estate development and/or finance.
Experience with cloud-based project management software such as Procore or Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Responsibilities

Lead data center project development and project management throughout the entire project life cycle.
Coordinate and manage consultant activities during project entitlement and design development.
Commission utility, wetlands, environmental, and geotechnical reports and assess results as they relate to project development.
Assist in preparing project business plans, including marketing strategy, budget, capital requirements, and exit strategies.
Assist in preparing pro-forma models for project financial analysis.
Assist in developing and executing project sustainability plans.
Implement and report on project status daily.
Manage entitlement requirements with responsible public agencies and maintain relationships with them on entitlement-related issues.
Prepare development budgets and manage costs within budget constraints.
Prepare and manage development and project schedules, including negotiating and resolving critical-path conflicts.
Help ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and permits, and perform other related duties as assigned.
Interface directly with construction general contractors during bidding, award, execution, and project closeout or punch-list stages.
Develop and implement RFP requirements; review bidder qualifications; analyze and evaluate bids; negotiate contracts; manage agreements; and enforce contract provisions as necessary.
Plan and schedule work over one or several months, defining tasks, priorities, and work schedules to meet objectives.
Develop comprehensive construction project scopes and requests for proposals.
Perform financial analysis of construction projects.
Manage construction documents, including submittal reviews, RFIs, change orders, and invoicing.
Implement construction project quality-control measures.
Record and report key construction metrics to the team and management.
Serve as a leader within internal and external teams.