Data Center Project Manager

Job Description

EdgeConneX is looking for a Data Center Project Manager to provide hands-on support and oversight for the planning, reporting, design, and deployment of Data Center construction projects in Chicago, IL and across North America. We are seeking a technically savvy self-starter who can support multi-disciplinary teams in delivering projects on time, on budget, and within specifications. This position reports to the Vice President, Americas working within our PMO. This is a hybrid based role that requires onsite presence and project management leadership in Chicago, IL to start, but could require travel up to 20% domestically to support other projects, attend training, and other company initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with construction management firms and general contractors to deliver assigned projects on time and within budget.
• Understand customer requirements and ensure they are met in accordance with the lease agreement/contract.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders, construction deliverables, communicating directly with customers to foster and maintain a high level of customer service.
• Provide regular project updates, dashboards, and executive-level reporting on project and schedule progress with site photos. Interface with project stakeholders at both working team and executive levels.
• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure company goals are met, including hosting weekly progress meetings.
• Utilize technical expertise to identify, mitigate, and resolve project-related issues.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks, interdependencies, and potential schedule or cost impacts.
• Monitor construction activities to verify adherence to design specifications, quality standards, and safety protocols

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to manage complex, multi-million-dollar projects/programs that require detailed planning, execution, and front-line support to both vendors and high-profile clients.
• Ability to engage clients onsite and virtually at highest level, leading discussions that have an emphasis on setting expectations that can be difficult at times
• Serve as a versatile leader managing many stakeholder relationship in efforts to put out fires and not start new ones
• Distinct ability to read the room, understanding when to take charge or refocus the team
• Strong technical skills in areas such as electrical and mechanical engineering, data center infrastructure, and networking. For example, direct ability to interpret MEP drawings.
• Familiarity with installation of critical infrastructure (MEP, IT, security, power, cooling) and data center products and services.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Project/Primavera, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to establish and maintain budget, working with various stakeholders to get ahead of risks to it.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude and strong emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, globally diverse environment.
• Strong and effective team player in working with various disciplines and peer groups.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commitment to and knowledge of construction safety.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical or Mechanical), Construction Management, Architecture, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant consulting and/or external client-facing experience with a distinct focus on large-scale project management within mission-critical industries, providing extensive reporting, as well as leading customer-facing processes and procedures.
• Mastery of written and live customer-facing presentations.
• A project management-related certification such as PMP, CCM, AC, CPC, CST, PE.
• OSHA 30 / VCA-VOL or equivalent certification is preferable but can be acquired through training once hired.
• Any direct MEP Engineering skills or expertise would truly make a candidate stand out
• Direct experience in the Data Center industry, Construction, and/or Real Estate environments

Travel

• Ability to travel up to 20% (assuming local to Chicago) with the flexibility to travel on short notice. Each project managed will require site visits.