Project Manager, Data Center Construction

Location: Remote | Texas or Chicago Preferred
Travel: Approximately 35% to 40%
Industry: Data Centers / Mission Critical Construction
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Opportunity

The GOR Group is partnering with a rapidly growing developer and operator of high-density, next-generation data center infrastructure to identify an experienced Project Manager, Construction.

Our client is expanding its national data center footprint to support the rapidly increasing infrastructure demands of AI, high-performance computing, and enterprise customers.

This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of complex, ground-up data center development projects and work across the full construction lifecycle, from early design and preconstruction coordination through construction, commissioning, turnover, and operational readiness.

This is not simply a schedule-management or vendor-management role. We are looking for a technically strong construction leader who understands how a data center comes together and has personally driven projects from concept through successful turnover.

Role Overview

The Project Manager, Construction will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of high-density data center development projects.

This individual will manage day-to-day construction activities, project schedules, budgets, contractors, technical coordination, risk, and commissioning readiness while serving as a key connection point between Development, Engineering, Preconstruction, Operations, contractors, and design partners.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge of MEP systems, mission-critical infrastructure, construction sequencing, and commissioning, combined with the ability to independently drive projects forward in a fast-paced and evolving organization.

What You'll Do

Project Planning & Execution

• Manage data center construction projects from preconstruction and design handoff through construction, commissioning, and turnover.
• Own day-to-day project delivery while maintaining alignment with overall project objectives.
• Develop, manage, and maintain detailed project schedules.
• Identify critical path activities, project constraints, and schedule risks before they impact delivery.
• Drive accountability across contractors, engineering teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate site logistics, permitting, inspections, construction readiness, and project sequencing.
• Proactively identify issues and develop solutions to maintain schedule, budget, safety, and quality expectations.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the entire project lifecycle rather than managing only an individual phase or workstream.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Control

• Manage project budgets, commitments, forecasts, and cost-to-complete reporting.
• Review and validate change orders, pay applications, vendor invoices, and project expenditures.
• Identify potential cost impacts and develop mitigation strategies.
• Partner with Development Finance and Preconstruction teams to maintain accurate project financial reporting.
• Support cost optimization and value engineering while protecting project performance and technical requirements.

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and third-party vendors.
• Lead recurring project and coordination meetings.
• Track deliverables, action items, risks, and commitments.
• Hold project partners accountable to schedule, quality, safety, and performance expectations.
• Build strong working relationships while maintaining the ability to challenge contractors when necessary.
• Ensure issues are escalated and resolved quickly to maintain project momentum.

Design & Preconstruction Coordination

• Work closely with Preconstruction, architects, engineers, and internal technical stakeholders during early project development.
• Understand concept design, design intent, and how technical decisions translate into construction execution.
• Participate in the transition from design and preconstruction into active construction.
• Review drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, and design changes.
• Facilitate resolution of design conflicts and constructability concerns.
• Support value engineering and design optimization efforts.
• Maintain alignment between design intent, cost, constructability, commissioning requirements, and operational needs.

MEP & Mission Critical Infrastructure

• Provide technical oversight across complex electrical and mechanical infrastructure.
• Coordinate critical systems including electrical distribution, emergency power, UPS, cooling, controls, BMS, and related infrastructure.
• Understand the dependencies between construction activities, equipment installation, startup, testing, and commissioning.
• Work closely with Engineering and Commissioning teams to ensure systems are installed and delivered in accordance with design and operational requirements.
• Support technically complex, high-density data center environments.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Conduct regular site walks to evaluate construction progress, workmanship, installation quality, and safety performance.
• Ensure work complies with project requirements, applicable codes, design documents, and established standards.
• Identify quality issues early and drive timely corrective action.
• Reinforce accountability for site safety and project quality across contractors and vendors.
• Support testing, commissioning, closeout, and final turnover activities.

Commissioning & Operational Handoff

• Remain actively engaged through startup, testing, commissioning, and turnover.
• Coordinate with Commissioning and Operations teams to ensure systems are ready for activation.
• Track commissioning requirements and construction-related deficiencies.
• Ensure turnover documentation, testing records, as-builts, O&M documentation, and closeout packages are complete.
• Help drive a seamless transition from construction into ongoing data center operations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner across Development, Engineering, Preconstruction, Operations, Procurement, Finance, and Commissioning.
• Communicate project status, risks, milestones, cost impacts, and mitigation strategies clearly to leadership.
• Build alignment between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Navigate changing project requirements and organizational priorities without losing focus on execution.
• Potentially mentor or develop junior team members as the organization continues to scale.

What We're Looking For

• 7 to 10+ years of construction project management experience, preferably within large commercial, industrial, mission-critical, or technically complex construction.
• Minimum of approximately 4+ years directly supporting mission-critical or data center construction.
• Experience successfully delivering multiple ground-up data center projects.
• Ideally, candidates will have completed at least three ground-up, greenfield data center projects, rather than primarily retrofit or expansion work.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from preconstruction/design coordination through construction, commissioning, and turnover.
• Strong understanding of MEP-heavy construction and mission-critical infrastructure.
• Experience managing general contractors, subcontractors, engineering partners, commissioning teams, and technical vendors.
• Proven ownership of schedules, budgets, change management, RFIs, submittals, construction coordination, commissioning, and closeout.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and technical documentation.
• Strong construction sequencing and project controls knowledge.
• Experience working directly for a data center developer, owner, owner's representative, or a GC in a highly involved project leadership capacity is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, Architecture, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent relevant industry experience will also be considered.

The Profile That Will Stand Out

We are particularly interested in someone who has personally owned the full A-to-Z construction lifecycle.

The strongest candidates will be able to speak specifically about:

• Data center projects they have taken from early planning through turnover
• The size and MW capacity of those projects
• Their involvement in preconstruction and design
• MEP systems they directly managed
• Budget and schedule ownership
• Contractor and subcontractor management
• Equipment procurement and delivery challenges
• Change-order management
• Construction sequencing and risk mitigation
• Commissioning involvement
• Operational turnover
• Lessons learned and improvements they implemented on subsequent builds

Candidates whose experience has been limited to a narrow portion of a hyperscale construction program may not have the breadth required for this opportunity.

Liquid Cooling Experience

Direct liquid cooling experience is preferred but not required.

Because this remains an emerging technology, the organization is open to teaching the liquid cooling component to someone who brings the right data center construction foundation.

The priority is finding someone with strong technical fundamentals and proven end-to-end ownership of complex data center construction projects.

Location & Travel

This position is remote with regular travel to active project sites.

Preferred candidate locations include:

• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
• Austin, Texas
• Greater Chicago, Illinois

Candidates outside these markets may also be considered, particularly if they are open to relocation.

Travel is expected to average approximately 35% to 40%, depending on project phase and complexity.

This is not intended to be a full-time onsite position. Some phases of construction may require more significant time in the field, while other portions of the project can be effectively managed remotely.

Successful candidates should be comfortable independently managing travel based on the needs of their projects.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Ground-up data center projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Project risks are identified early rather than after they become problems.
• Contractors, designers, engineers, and internal stakeholders remain aligned.
• MEP infrastructure is installed, tested, and commissioned to the expected standard.
• Change orders are minimized through strong planning and technical coordination.
• Leadership receives clear, proactive communication regarding schedule, budget, risk, and project milestones.
• Construction and commissioning teams work together effectively throughout project delivery.
• Operations receives a complete, organized, and fully commissioned facility.
• Lessons learned are incorporated into future projects as the organization's development platform continues to scale.

Why This Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a growing organization during a significant period of national expansion within the data center market.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of complex ground-up data center development projects
• Work across the complete project lifecycle rather than one isolated phase
• Support next-generation infrastructure designed for AI and high-density computing environments
• Work directly with senior leaders across Development, Engineering, Operations, and Construction
• Influence processes and standards as the organization continues to grow
• Take on increasing leadership responsibility as the development portfolio expands
• Work in an environment where experience, initiative, problem-solving, and execution are valued

About the GOR Group:

At GOR Group, we believe in Grit Over Resume.

We understand that great talent does not always come from a perfectly matched resume. While experience and technical skills matter, we know that some of the most successful professionals are those who demonstrate the character, determination, and drive to learn, adapt, and deliver results.

We value individuals who demonstrate:

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability
• Strong Communication
• Continuous Learning
• A Willingness to Take on Challenges
• A Strong Work Ethic
• The Ability to Grow and Develop in New Environments

If your experience does not align with every requirement, but you believe you can make an impact, we encourage you to apply.

At GOR Group, we look beyond job titles and keyword matches. We focus on identifying individuals who bring the right attitude, work ethic, leadership, and technical capability to help our clients succeed. We partner with organizations across the mission critical, data center, manufacturing, commissioning, construction, and infrastructure industries to connect them with professionals who are ready to contribute, grow, and build meaningful careers.

If you're ready to help build the next generation of digital infrastructure while advancing your career in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, we'd love to hear from you.

Know Someone Who Might Be a Fit?

GOR Group believes in Grit Over Resume. Great talent often comes through strong networks and referrals from industry professionals.

If you know someone in the mission critical, data center, manufacturing, commissioning, construction, or infrastructure industries who may be open to new opportunities, we offer a $500 referral bonus for successful placements. If your referral is hired and completes the required employment period, we'll reward you for helping connect great talent with great opportunities.

Reach out to our team to learn more about our referral program and current openings.