Development Project Manager (Data Center Construction)

About the Role

At QTS Data Centers, we stand at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. Our world-class data centers empower customers’ most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us as a global leader in digital infrastructure. As AI and cloud technologies drive demand for increased speed, capacity, and innovation, QTS is committed to connecting the globe for good through advanced, sustainable data centers.

The Development Project Manager (Data Center Construction) leads and manages the design, preconstruction, and construction activities for assigned projects. This role involves daily interaction with Facilities, Contractors, Designers, Engineers, Commissioning Agents, Vendors, and Data Center Operations staff, requiring strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects on a campus(es), maintaining updated budgets, schedules, and status reports.
• Create and communicate monthly development program and project status updates suitable for executive-level reviews.
• Present information effectively to support efficient decision-making.
• Collaborate with QTS stakeholders, design, and construction teams to create a master development program, including campus design solutions and capital budgets.
• Manage entitlement and permitting needs for assigned site projects.
• Implement and manage multi-phased site development plans to meet time, budget, and quality standards predictably.
• Continuously update the campus master plan to provide predictable statistics in a dynamic environment.
• Write scopes of work for design, construction, and commissioning services; participate in procurement and project cost estimates.
• Evaluate and level pricing proposals for design, construction, and commissioning services.
• Work closely with the strategic procurement team on equipment procurement and delivery.
• Ensure appropriate submittals are coordinated with site stakeholders.
• Monitor and track project budget/cost-to-date against the overall project budget.
• Establish project schedules and manage teams to ensure on-time completion.
• Review and approve monthly pay applications from contractors.
• Review change order requests from contractors and negotiate pricing.
• Establish site construction security procedures in conjunction with the site security team.
• Develop plans for product deployment and review/communicate plans with involved QTS staff.
• Collaborate with Sales Engineers and Product teams to aid in custom deal solutioning within schedule and budget.
• Establish and maintain relationships as a liaison with key QTS stakeholders.
• Represent QTS interests as a leader in OAC meetings.
• Build relationships that enhance QTS’s leadership in creating valuable data center real estate.
• Aid in due diligence efforts for potential new sites as needed.
• Work with the internal development team to enhance project management processes and protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of professional experience in commercial construction practices and procedures, including management of Lump Sum, Construction Management @ Risk, and Design Build project delivery methods from conceptual development through procurement to close-out.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite, specifically PowerPoint for executive-level communications and Excel for budget management.
• Ability to travel as needed for business.

Preferred Skills

• MBA, Master’s in Engineering, Management, or related field.
• Experience with delivery of mission-critical data center facilities.
• Extensive experience managing MEP trades.

Benefits

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting.
• Bonus or commission eligibility for every employee.
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days, and Floating Holidays.
• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP).
• 11 paid holidays annually; holiday compensation when worked.
• Pet and Legal Insurance.
• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program.
• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program.
• Parental Leave for primary and secondary caregivers.
• Military Benefits Package.
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program.
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents.
• QTS Crisis Fund.
• Wellness Program.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Eagle Club Award Trip Eligibility.