Project Manager - Data Center Owner’s Representative

Ross Group•Cedar Rapids, IA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager represents a hyperscale data center client on site and manages the project from preconstruction through closeout, ensuring the work meets expectations for safety, quality, schedule, and budget. The role serves as the owner’s primary point of accountability with the general contractor, design team, and owner-direct vendors and consultants. The position is based on site at a hyperscale data center project in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area and is tied to the duration of the project. Relocation assistance or per diem may be available for qualified candidates who live outside commuting distance. The role is exempt and reports to the Senior Project Manager, with a secondary reporting relationship to the Chief Operating Officer.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience managing commercial, industrial, or mission-critical construction projects.
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Data center, hyperscale, or mission-critical project experience, either as an owner’s representative or with a general contractor.
Proven successful project history managing budgets, change orders, and payment applications on large, fast-track projects.
Ability to use Primavera P6 to build, review, and analyze cost- and resource-loaded schedules.
OSHA 30-hour construction certification or ability to obtain one before starting.
Leadership skills to hold contractors accountable while fostering a collaborative, positive project culture.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with employees, company management, and external owners, architects, engineers, contractors, vendors, and suppliers.
Comfort with flexible work hours, averaging 50 hours per week or as needed.
Willingness to relocate to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area for the duration of the project.
Legally authorized to work in the United States.
Ability to meet goals while ensuring accuracy and thoroughness; be flexible, organized, and detail oriented; and use efficient time management to meet project deadlines and schedules.
Ability to make timely decisions using sound judgment and keep appropriate people informed.
Ability to identify issues early, solve problems, and make appropriate recommendations.
Proficiency with computers, Microsoft Office, Primavera P6, and construction management platforms such as Procore or similar.
Ability and willingness to increase job knowledge, use resources effectively, and learn and apply new skills.
Ability to walk active construction sites, including data halls, mechanical yards, and electrical rooms, for extended periods; occasionally work outdoors in extreme cold, heat, and humidity; occasionally stand, climb, bend, and stoop; use visual and auditory skills; and wear required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Hold or be willing to pursue a PMP, CCM, or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Work with the general contractor to develop the master project schedule based on the critical path and key milestones, using cost- and resource-loaded Primavera P6.
Establish the master project budget, including hard and soft costs, bonds, insurance, contingencies, and allowances.
Support contractor prequalification, bid solicitation, bid analysis, and award recommendations.
Support contract negotiations with the client’s project manager and legal counsel, including GC markups, fees, insurance, labor rates, and escalation.
Coordinate design team activities and monitor the architect/engineer’s progress through permitting and authority approvals.
Coordinate constructability reviews and value engineering efforts.
Gather cost estimates from subcontractors and vendors for scope gaps and changes.
Produce monthly cash flow projections.
Help the client identify, scope, buy out, and schedule owner-direct vendors and consultants.
Participate in daily stretch and flex with craft workers and walk the site regularly to monitor progress and resolve field issues.
Manage the general contractor and owner-direct vendors on site.
Manage cost and change control, including change order review, negotiation, recommendations, and delay analysis.
Track the budget and monitor, analyze, and report on schedule performance.
Lead owner-architect-contractor meetings and other project meetings.
Manage document control for addenda, bulletins, drawing revisions, and clarifications.
Track submittals, RFIs, change orders, invoices, payments, and lien releases.
Process, track, and report on invoices and payment applications.
Verify that QA/QC requirements are being followed and report issues or gaps.
Start the closeout process two to three months before completion and establish closeout documentation requirements.
Collect and track warranties, as-builts, O&M manuals, and other closeout documents.
Support authority final inspections and the occupancy process.
Manage the punch list, substantial completion, and final completion process.
Negotiate and resolve outstanding change orders, quality issues, and disputes.
Process final invoices, payment applications, and retention, and prepare the final project accounting and budget.