Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. DLB Associates is a company that supports the development of large-scale, mission-critical data center projects. They are seeking a driven Data Center Program Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of a large-scale AI data center campus, overseeing the full construction lifecycle and ensuring schedule, budget, quality, and safety targets are met.
Responsibilities
- Participate in constructability reviews, value engineering sessions, and design coordination meetings to ensure construction-ready documents and optimized project delivery
- Develop comprehensive construction execution plans including phasing strategies, logistics plans, site utilization layouts, and temporary facility requirements for the AI campus
- Lead the subcontractor procurement process including bid solicitation, scope leveling, bid analysis, contract negotiation, and subcontract award for all major trade packages
- Establish project-specific procedures for document control, RFI management, submittal processing, change order administration, and progress reporting
- Coordinate mobilization activities including site access, temporary utilities, construction trailers, laydown areas, and initial site security and safety infrastructure
- Develop, manage, and maintain the detailed CPM construction schedule using Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project, integrating all disciplines, milestones, and long-lead procurement items
- Conduct weekly schedule update meetings with subcontractors and trade foremen to track progress, identify variances, and implement recovery strategies to maintain critical path milestones
- Coordinate the sequencing of concurrent data hall construction, mechanical/electrical infrastructure, central utility plant work, and exterior site development across the campus
- Monitor and manage long-lead equipment procurement including generators, switchgear, UPS systems, cooling units, and IT infrastructure support systems to prevent schedule impacts
- Prepare look-ahead schedules (3-week, 6-week, and 90-day) and milestone tracking reports for internal leadership and ownership review
- Manage the project budget from notice-to-proceed through final closeout, tracking committed costs, actual expenditures, forecasted costs-to-complete, and projected final cost against the approved GMP or lump sum contract value
- Review and process subcontractor pay applications, ensuring accurate percent-complete assessments, stored material verification, and proper retainage withholding in accordance with contract terms
- Administer the change management process including evaluating change requests, negotiating change order pricing, preparing change order proposals, and securing timely client approval
- Prepare monthly cost reports including budget variance analysis, cash flow projections, contingency tracking, and earned value metrics for executive and ownership reporting
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and value engineering alternatives throughout construction while maintaining design intent, quality standards, and operational performance requirements
- Implement and enforce the project-specific quality management plan, ensuring all work meets the stringent quality standards required for mission-critical AI data center infrastructure
- Manage the RFI and submittal process to ensure timely resolution of design questions and approval of materials, equipment, and shop drawings prior to installation
- Coordinate third-party inspections, special inspections, materials testing, and jurisdictional inspections across all disciplines including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection
- Oversee the commissioning support process, coordinating with the commissioning agent to ensure MEP systems are installed correctly and ready for functional performance testing
- Conduct regular quality walks, punch list development, and deficiency tracking to ensure all work is completed to specification prior to system turnover and beneficial occupancy
- Champion a zero-incident safety culture on the project site, enforcing OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and client-specific safety requirements across all contractors and personnel
- Conduct and participate in regular safety meetings, toolbox talks, job hazard analyses, and site safety audits to proactively identify and mitigate risks
- Coordinate with the project safety manager to investigate incidents, near-misses, and safety observations, implementing corrective actions and lessons learned
- Ensure compliance with all building codes, fire codes, environmental regulations, stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), and local jurisdictional requirements
- Manage the permitting process during construction including building permit inspections, temporary certificates of occupancy, and final certificate of occupancy for each phase or building
- Manage and coordinate 30+ subcontractors and specialty trade contractors across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and low-voltage disciplines
- Lead weekly Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) meetings, subcontractor coordination meetings, and MEP coordination sessions, documenting decisions, action items, and issue resolution
- Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for the client’s project representatives, design team, commissioning agents, and operations personnel
- Coordinate with the design team to resolve field conflicts, design discrepancies, and unforeseen site conditions through timely RFIs, field directives, and design clarifications
- Manage material deliveries, equipment staging, and crane operations to maintain efficient site logistics and minimize trade stacking and productivity impacts
- Oversee construction of critical data center infrastructure including raised floor systems, hot/cold aisle containment, cable tray and pathway systems, overhead bus duct, and grounding/bonding systems
- Coordinate the construction and installation of critical power distribution systems including medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, generators, automatic transfer switches, UPS systems, and PDUs
- Manage construction of mechanical cooling infrastructure including chilled water plants, cooling towers, computer room air handlers (CRAHs), piping systems, and building management system (BMS) integration
- Ensure proper installation of fire detection and suppression systems including very early smoke detection apparatus (VESDA), pre-action sprinkler systems, and clean agent suppression in IT spaces
- Coordinate the phased turnover of completed data halls and supporting infrastructure to the client’s commissioning and operations teams, ensuring all prerequisites and documentation are complete
- Maintain comprehensive project documentation including daily logs, meeting minutes, progress photos, inspection records, test reports, and correspondence in the project management information system (PMIS)
- Manage the closeout process including as-built drawing collection, O&M manual compilation, warranty documentation, final lien waivers, retainage release, and substantial/final completion certifications
- Prepare and deliver monthly executive progress reports including narrative summaries, schedule status, cost performance, safety metrics, quality metrics, and key risk/issue updates
- Coordinate the lessons-learned process, documenting successes, challenges, and recommendations for future AI data center campus projects
- Ensure seamless transition from construction to operations by facilitating owner training, warranty coordination, and post-occupancy support during the initial operations period
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Architecture, or a related field
- 5–7 years of progressive project management experience in commercial construction, with a strong preference for candidates with data center, mission-critical facility, or heavy MEP construction experience
- Demonstrated experience managing projects valued at $500M+ from pre-construction through closeout, with direct accountability for schedule, budget, quality, and safety outcomes
- Experience with design-build, CM-at-Risk, or GMP contract delivery methods on fast-track construction projects
- Familiarity with Tier III/IV data center design standards, ASHRAE guidelines for data center cooling, and the unique construction requirements of hyperscale and AI computing facilities preferred
- Strong leadership abilities with experience directly managing field engineers, project engineers, and administrative staff while coordinating large subcontractor workforces
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present project status, risk assessments, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership, clients, and design professionals
- Proven negotiation skills for subcontract scoping, change order resolution, and conflict management among multiple trades and stakeholders
- Collaborative mindset with demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and commissioning agents
- Problem-solving orientation with the ability to assess field conditions, evaluate alternatives, make sound decisions under pressure, and communicate resolutions to all affected parties
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification required
- Master's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or Project Management
- Professional certifications such as PMI‑SP, PMP, CCM, PSP, or equivalent
- Primavera P6 certification or formal advanced P6 training
- Experience with schedule risk and diagnostic tools (e.g., Acumen Fuse, Deltek Acumen, or similar)
- Familiarity with construction management and collaboration platforms such as Procore, Bluebeam, BIM 360, or equivalent tools
- Experience with earned value management (EVM) and cost‑schedule integration
- Background supporting claims analysis, delay analysis, or forensic schedule reviews
- Direct experience delivering hyperscale data center projects for major technology companies (e.g., Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta)
- Exposure to AI/ML data centers, high‑density power environments, GPU cluster installations, or high‑performance computing facilities
- Experience working on large, fast‑moving construction programs with multiple general contractors or joint‑venture teams
Benefits
- Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
- Flex spending accounts (FSA)
- Dental and vision plans
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
- 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
- PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
- Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
- Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
- Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and professional licensing assistance
- Paid parental leave after one year of employment
Company Overview