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Construction Project Manager

Actalent, Sterling, VA, United States


Job Title: Data Center Construction Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Data Center Construction Project Manager to serve as a key technical resource within large-scale data center facilities. You will join a highly creative, execution-focused team responsible for designing, building, and operating complex data center infrastructure. In this role, you oversee projects across electrical, mechanical, controls, and architectural disciplines, ensuring they align with organizational strategy, commitments, and goals. You identify opportunities for improvement, act on operational data, and develop innovative solutions to address technical and operational challenges in critical environments.

Responsibilities

Lead the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control, and completion of data center projects, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and goals.

Oversee all project disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, controls, and architectural, maintaining a strong technical understanding of each area.

Manage projects that improve electrical, mechanical, fire detection, and building automation systems within operational data center facilities.

Serve as a technical resource for critical data center equipment, providing guidance and decision-making support throughout the project lifecycle.

Review, interpret, and validate engineering documentation, electrical diagrams, and standard operating procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Read and interpret construction specifications and drawings across all domains to support data center construction and project coordination.

Coordinate closely with contractors, operations teams, and engineering partners to drive safe, timely, and high-quality project execution.

Oversee electrical and mechanical scopes of work ranging from thousands to millions in value, ensuring budget adherence and risk management.

Ensure compliance with relevant building codes and regulations, including Life Safety, BOCA, NFPA, NEC, and OSHA requirements.

Monitor project progress, identify risks, make decisions under pressure, and elevate issues appropriately to maintain schedule and quality.

Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the project team and among external partners.

Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes clearly and effectively to stakeholders through written reports and verbal updates.

Drive ownership and results orientation across all assigned projects, ensuring visible impact on data center reliability and performance.

Essential Skills

7+ years of project management experience in data centers or comparable critical infrastructure environments.

Strong project management and construction management skills with a focus on execution in operational facilities.

Knowledge of critical data center equipment and supporting infrastructure systems.

Ability to read, interpret, and work with engineering documentation, electrical diagrams, and standard operating procedures.

Knowledge of building codes and regulations, including Life Safety, BOCA, NFPA, NEC, and OSHA.

Experience reading and interpreting construction specifications and drawings for all domains involved in data center construction.

Proven experience in project execution, contractor oversight, and multidisciplinary project coordination.

5+ years of progressive project management experience demonstrating increasing scope and responsibility.

Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Outlook, and Project (or equivalent).

Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and elevate risks appropriately.

Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and strong results orientation in prior roles.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree preferred in engineering, construction management, or a related field.

Experience overseeing electrical and/or mechanical scopes ranging in value from thousands to millions.

Experience in managing projects in operational, mission‑critical environments where precision, speed, and judgment are essential.

Ability to collaborate effectively with skilled trades, operations teams, and engineering partners.

Strong problem‑solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.

Interest in long‑term growth opportunities, including potential conversion from contingent to permanent roles where applicable.

Work Environment
This position is fully on‑site at an operational data center facility, working within a fast‑paced environment that places a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and accountability. You will operate in a highly collaborative culture that focuses on execution, partnering daily with contractors, operations staff, and engineering teams. The role follows an early‑shift work schedule aligned with construction and field activity, requiring frequent presence in active construction and live data center spaces. You will work with complex electrical, mechanical, fire detection, and building automation systems, using standard office tools such as Microsoft Office alongside engineering and construction documentation. The environment rewards ownership, problem‑solving, and visible impact, offering hands‑on exposure to large‑scale critical infrastructure and opportunities for ongoing learning and development.

Job Type & Location
Permanent position based out of Sterling, VA.

Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $80.00/hr.

Benefits (if eligible):

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

Short and long‑term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

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