Owner's Representative - Data Centers

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Project Manager / Owner's Representative to lead the planning and delivery of large‑scale data center developments across Virginia. In this role, you will act as the owner's single point of accountability from site due diligence through commissioning and handover, driving scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk outcomes while orchestrating designers, general contractors, trade partners, and internal stakeholders (real estate, design engineering, operations, finance, and legal).

This is a high‑impact position for an operator/developer expanding its regional footprint. The ideal candidate blends mission‑critical technical depth with executive‑level stakeholder management and program controls rigor.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Delivery Leadership

• Serve as the owner's day‑to‑day lead for greenfield and brownfield data center projects (campus developments, new builds, expansions, and retrofits).
• Drive full lifecycle delivery: site selection support, entitlements, design management, procurement, construction, integrated systems testing (IST), commissioning, and turnover to operations.
• Establish and own the Project Execution Plan: governance, RACI, milestones, reporting cadence, change control, risk registers, and escalation protocols.

Scope, Schedule & Budget Control

• Build and maintain the integrated master schedule (from concept through commissioning), aligning GC, critical equipment vendors (UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers/CDUs), and owner‑furnished equipment (OFE).
• Develop and manage CAPEX budgets, cash flow forecasts, and cost reports; lead VE exercises without compromising reliability or SLA commitments.
• Administer contracts (AIA/ConsensusDocs or FIDIC equivalents), change orders, and claims; negotiate with GCs and key suppliers to protect commercial outcomes.

Design & Technical Stewardship

• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination (architectural, structural, civil, MEP, controls, fire protection, security, and network) to ensure code compliance and alignment with owner design standards and basis of design (BoD).
• Validate capacity and redundancy targets (e.g., N/N+1/2N), power distribution topologies, mechanical cooling strategies (DX/CRAC/CRAHe, chilled water, economization, liquid cooling readiness), and integrated controls/BMS/EPMS.
• Champion constructability, commissioning readiness, and operability with strong collaboration between Design, Construction, and Operations.

Commissioning & Readiness

• Oversee commissioning agents and testing protocols from Factory Witness Tests through Level 1-5 commissioning and Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Ensure turnover packages, O&M documentation, and as‑builts meet standards; coordinate training and day‑one readiness for Operations.

Risk, Quality & Compliance

• Proactively manage risks (supply chain, utilities, permits, AHJ approvals, environmental, safety, and cyber/OT considerations) with mitigation plans.
• Enforce quality control plans and safety culture across all vendors and contractors; align with corporate ESG and sustainability goals.

Stakeholder & External Interface

• Serve as the senior interface with utilities (power/fiber), AHJs, economic development agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Provide executive‑level reporting (dashboards, monthly status, variance narratives) and present at governance gates and investment committees.