Senior Project Manager – Mission Critical / Data Centers

The Christman Company•Detroit, MI

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Christman Company is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead complex mission critical and data center construction projects. This position will play a key role in project execution, client relationship management, and business development efforts in support of Christman's continued growth in the mission critical market. Location is flexible based on candidate qualifications and project needs. Travel may be required based on business/project needs. As a Senior Project Manager, you play a critical role in the successful planning, execution, and delivery of mission critical construction projects. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Lead the development of high-performance teams through supervision, training, coaching, and mentoring while serving as a peer coach and mentor. Ensure regular feedback is shared with staff, including timely completion of performance evaluations. Provide leadership in motivating project teams and maintaining a positive work environment. Communicate with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and subcontractors regarding project risks, schedules, budgets, procurement strategies, and change management. Determine and define project scope, objectives, and deliverables. Establish project staffing requirements and develop work plans and schedules for each phase of the project lifecycle. Prepare bid packages, manage procurement activities, and lead post-bid reviews and contract negotiations. Establish and clarify project-specific goals related to schedule, safety, quality, logistics, commissioning, accounting, labor relations, and reporting. Assess and maintain client relationships to understand operational, facility, and business needs from project pursuit through warranty completion. Manage owner communications related to project risks, schedules, budgets, logistics, and project performance. Coordinate estimating, scheduling, value engineering, constructability reviews, and reporting efforts with project planning teams. Oversee timely and accurate processing of all project documentation, including contracts, bulletins, RFIs, submittmits, field work orders, and change orders. Lead subcontractor and vendor management activities, including scope development, procurement, coordination, performance management, and issue resolution. Establish subcontract agreements and communicate expectations related to planning, coordination, safety, quality, commissioning, and schedule performance. Lead trade contractor relations and foster a collaborative project environment. Coordinate information sharing across the project team to ensure alignment and transparency. Drive safety awareness and ensure compliance with all safety requirements and project-specific protocols. Oversee project commissioning activities and turnover processes to support successful facility startup and owner occupancy. Support preconstruction efforts including budgeting, conceptual estimating, constructability reviews, and schedule development for prospective projects. Contribute to business development efforts by leveraging professional networks and client relationships to identify opportunities, support pursuit strategies, participate in interviews, and help secure new work. Develop and maintain relationships with data center developers, hyperscale clients, colocation providers, design firms, and industry partners. Represent Christman at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote the company's mission critical capabilities. Establish an environment that supports learning, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Provide motivational and constructive feedback to team members regarding project performance and professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum ten (10) years of commercial construction experience with progressively increasing project leadership responsibilities.
Minimum five (5) years of experience managing mission critical, data center, advanced technology, semiconductor, industrial, or similarly complex construction projects.
Demonstrated experience leading large-scale projects from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover.
Successful completion of coursework or training in Construction Management, Project Management, Safety, Leadership, or Communication.
Or Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Strong understanding of mission critical systems including electrical distribution, generators, UPS systems, cooling infrastructure, commissioning, and startup processes.
Ability to interact effectively with owners, design professionals, trade partners, and internal teams.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications including Word, Excel, Project, and Outlook.
Passion for team-based planning, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Commitment to building strong partnerships and delivering exceptional client service.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or cloud data center clients preferred.
OSHA 30-Hour Certification and First Aid/CPR certification preferred.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships that contribute to repeat business opportunities.
Strong business development, networking, and client-facing skills.
Experience with Procore, Primavera P6, BIM coordination platforms, and related construction technologies preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of high-performance teams through supervision, training, coaching, and mentoring while serving as a peer coach and mentor.
Ensure regular feedback is shared with staff, including timely completion of performance evaluations.
Provide leadership in motivating project teams and maintaining a positive work environment.
Communicate with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and subcontractors regarding project risks, schedules, budgets, procurement strategies, and change management.
Determine and define project scope, objectives, and deliverables.
Establish project staffing requirements and develop work plans and schedules for each phase of the project lifecycle.
Prepare bid packages, manage procurement activities, and lead post-bid reviews and contract negotiations.
Establish and clarify project-specific goals related to schedule, safety, quality, logistics, commissioning, accounting, labor relations, and reporting.
Assess and maintain client relationships to understand operational, facility, and business needs from project pursuit through warranty completion.
Manage owner communications related to project risks, schedules, budgets, logistics, and project performance.
Coordinate estimating, scheduling, value engineering, constructability reviews, and reporting efforts with project planning teams.
Oversee timely and accurate processing of all project documentation, including contracts, bulletins, RFIs, submittals, field work orders, and change orders.
Lead subcontractor and vendor management activities, including scope development, procurement, coordination, performance management, and issue resolution.
Establish subcontract agreements and communicate expectations related to planning, coordination, safety, quality, commissioning, and schedule performance.
Lead trade contractor relations and foster a collaborative project environment.
Coordinate information sharing across the project team to ensure alignment and transparency.
Drive safety awareness and ensure compliance with all safety requirements and project-specific protocols.
Oversee project commissioning activities and turnover processes to support successful facility startup and owner occupancy.
Support preconstruction efforts including budgeting, conceptual estimating, constructability reviews, and schedule development for prospective projects.
Contribute to business development efforts by leveraging professional networks and client relationships to identify opportunities, support pursuit strategies, participate in interviews, and help secure new work.
Develop and maintain relationships with data center developers, hyperscale clients, colocation providers, design firms, and industry partners.
Represent Christman at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote the company's mission critical capabilities.
Establish an environment that supports learning, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Provide motivational and constructive feedback to team members regarding project performance and professional development.