Project Controls Manager - Data Centers
Project Controls Manager
Job Title: Project Controls Manager
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Flexible / Project-Based
Position Summary
An established data center development organization is seeking a Project Controls Manager to lead cost, schedule, and risk management across large-scale mission critical construction projects.
This role operates within the owner/developer team and serves as the key authority on project controls, acting as the central interface between internal leadership and external general contractors. The position requires an independent mindset, with responsibility for validating, challenging, and managing all cost and schedule outputs to ensure decisions are based on accurate and defensible data.
This is a high-impact role spanning preconstruction through execution, suited to someone with strong commercial awareness and the ability to hold contractors accountable.
Core Responsibilities
Controls Leadership
- Own the overall cost, schedule, and risk position across active projects
- Serve as the primary project controls interface with general contractors and key stakeholders
- Challenge and validate contractor submissions, escalating issues with clear and data-driven recommendations
Preconstruction & Cost Strategy
- Support early-stage estimating and benchmark contractor pricing against market data
- Lead scope reviews, identifying gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies across trades
- Review detailed estimates and perform value engineering and cost validation exercises
- Support procurement strategy, bid leveling, and contractor selection
- Conduct pre-GMP reviews to ensure scope alignment and mitigate downstream risk
Cost Control & Risk Management
- Maintain full visibility across budgets, commitments, forecasts, and contingency
- Review and verify pay applications, change orders, and financial reporting
- Analyze cost trends and identify root causes of variance or scope change
- Proactively identify and communicate project risks and financial exposure
Schedule & Execution Oversight
- Review and validate baseline schedules and ongoing updates
- Identify risks to the critical path, including float erosion and sequencing issues
- Assess schedule impacts of changes and field-driven adjustments
- Support enforcement of contractual obligations during execution
Controls Integration & Governance
- Manage scope matrices and ensure alignment across design, procurement, and construction
- Coordinate closely with design teams to prevent scope gaps and uncontrolled growth
- Maintain reporting tools, logs, and dashboards for leadership visibility
- Track contractor performance across cost, schedule, and contract metrics
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in project controls, construction management, or a related discipline
- Experience working on data center or other mission critical projects (hyperscale preferred)
- Strong understanding of both cost management and scheduling practices
- Proven ability to review, challenge, and influence contractor positions
- Experience supporting GMP development and contract negotiations
- Proficiency with Primavera P6, Procore, Excel, and related systems
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a similar field (or equivalent experience)
Ideal Profile
- Background working for an owner, developer, or top-tier general contractor
- Strong commercial awareness across cost, schedule, and contract management
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Clear and confident communicator, capable of engaging senior stakeholders
Benefits
- Competitive salary (based on experience)
- Comprehensive healthcare and dental coverage
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Paid time off and holidays
- Health & wellness allowance
- Professional development support
FAQs
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