Data Center -Project Manager IV
AFL · Abilene, TX · 2 wk ago
Project ManagementFull-time
About the Role
Leads the end-to-end lifecycle of data center infrastructure projects using structured PM frameworks. From inception through closeout, this role ensures on-time, on-scope, under-budget delivery by developing project charters, work breakdown structures (WBS), and integrated baselines for scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risks. Acts as the primary liaison between customers, internal engineering, and field crews, overseeing the installation of critical facility technologies—including structured cabling and fiber infrastructure—while maintaining rigorous standards for safety, documentation, and continuous improvement via post-project lessons learned.
Responsibilities
- Project Initiation & Planning
- Develop and gain stakeholder approval for project charters, defining scope, objectives, deliverables, success criteria, and high-level risks/milestones.
- Create detailed project management plans, including Gantt charts, critical path method (CPM) schedules, resource planning, and cost-loaded baselines using tools like MS Project or Primavera.
- Conduct kickoff meetings, perform initial risk assessments with probability-impact matrices, and establish communication protocols aligned with RACI matrices.
- Project Execution & Technical Leadership
- Lead the execution of data center infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, budget, technical standards, and customer requirements.
- Manage the installation, termination, and testing of structured cabling and fiber systems, ensuring traceability via as-built documentation.
- Coordinate with network, facilities, security, construction, and operations teams to sequence work and maintain site readiness.
- Ensure compliance with design standards, change control procedures, and site access protocols; verify completion of deliverables including as-built drawings, test reports, labeling records, inventory updates, and turnover packages.
- Assist with onsite troubleshooting for connectivity or infrastructure issues, implementing corrective/preventive actions and updating change control logs.
- Identify delivery risks, technical coordination gaps, and execution issues early, then drive timely resolution before they affect schedule, budget, or operational stability. This includes analyzing root causes, evaluating options, and coordinating decisions across technical teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
- Validate, track, and report productivity for vendors and subcontractors performing cabling, splicing, labeling, testing, validation, and documentation.
- Track material availability, equipment readiness, inventory status, delivery dates, shortages, substitutions, and potential schedule impacts.
- Deliver daily/weekly performance metrics, daily status updates, and comprehensive close-out packages.
- Assist with site surveys, quality inspections, and progress audits to ensure compliance with project standards, using control charts for quality metrics.
- Monitoring, Control & Closeout
- Track project health via dashboards, forecast via EVM trends, and manage changes through formal integrated change control processes.
- Maintain a project risk register, conduct regular risk reviews, and escalate issues per governance thresholds.
- Facilitate project closure with lessons learned sessions, stakeholder sign-offs, resource releases, and financial settlements.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Safety
- Serve as the primary point of contact, managing expectations through daily, weekly, and monthly reporting, steering committee updates, and issue/escalation logs.
- Champion EHS with the operations team by integrating safety into the PM plan, tracking daily briefings, near-miss reports, and leading safety audits for zero-incident targets.
Requirements
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a technical leadership or project management role within data centers or critical facilities, with proven use of PM tools/methods.
- Education: Associate degree in a technical field preferred; equivalent field experience highly valued; PMP or CAPM certification strongly preferred.
- Technical Mastery: Deep knowledge of low-voltage infrastructure, fiber networks (ISP/OSP), grounding/bonding, and pathway systems.
- Industry Standards: Familiarity with TIA/EIA, BICSI, and NEC codes.
- Certifications: PMP, CAPM certification, manufacturer-specific certifications highly preferred.
- Compliance: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. and capable of meeting physical demands of a construction environment.
Skills
- Leadership: Ability to mentor crews, apply servant leadership, and manage via situational models (e.g., Tuckman stages).
- Analytical Rigor: Proficiency in interpreting blueprints, specs, and financial data.
- Adaptability: Skilled at shifting priorities in high-uptime environments.
- PM Tools: Expertise in MS Project or similar for scheduling, risk software, and BI dashboards.