Senior Project Manager – Mission Critical / Data Centers

About the role

The Christman Company is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead complex mission critical and data center construction projects. This position plays a key role in project execution, client relationship management, and business development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of high-performance teams through supervision, training, coaching, and mentoring while serving as a peer coach and mentor.
• Ensure regular feedback is shared with staff, including timely completion of performance evaluations.
• Provide leadership in motivating project teams and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Communicate with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, and subcontractors regarding project risks, schedules, budgets, procurement strategies, and change management.
• Determine and define project scope, objectives, and deliverables.
• Establish project staffing requirements and develop work plans and schedules for each phase of the project lifecycle.
• Prepare bid packages, manage procurement activities, and lead post-bid reviews and contract negotiations.
• Establish and clarify project-specific goals related to schedule, safety, quality, logistics, commissioning, accounting, labor relations, and reporting.
• Absess and maintain client relationships to understand operational, facility, and business needs from project pursuit through warranty completion.
• Manage owner communications related to project risks, schedules, budgets, logistics, and project performance.
• Cookordinate estimating, scheduling, value engineering, constructability reviews, and reporting efforts with project planning teams.
• Oversee timely and accurate processing of all project documentation, including contracts, bulletins, RFIs, submittals, field work orders, and change orders.
• Lead subcontractor and vendor management activities, including scope development, procurement, coordination, performance management, and issue resolution.
• Establish subcontract agreements and communicate expectations related to planning, coordination, safety, quality, commissioning, and schedule performance.
• Lead trade contractor relations and foster a collaborative project environment.
• Cookordinate information sharing across the project team to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Drive safety awareness and ensure compliance with all safety requirements and project-specific protocols.
• Oversee project commissioning activities and turnover processes to support successful facility startup and owner occupancy.
• Support preconstruction efforts including budgeting, conceptual estimating, constructability reviews, and schedule development for prospective projects.
• Contribute to business development efforts by leveraging professional networks and client relationships to identify opportunities, support pursuit strategies, participate in interviews, and help secure new work.
• Develop and maintain relationships with data center developers, hyperscale clients, colocation providers, design firms, and industry partners.
• Represent Christman at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote the company's mission critical capabilities.
• Establish an environment that supports learning, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide motivational and constructive feedback to team members regarding project performance and professional development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum ten (10) years of commercial construction experience with progressively increasing project leadership responsibilities.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience managing mission critical, data center, advanced technology, semiconductor, industrial, or similarly complex construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale projects from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover.
• Successful completion of coursework or training in Construction Management, Project Management, Safety, Leadership, or Communication.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of mission critical systems including electrical distribution, generators, UPS systems, cooling infrastructure, commissioning, and startup processes.
• Experience working with hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, or cloud data center clients preferred.
• OSHA 30-Hour Certification and First Aid/CPR certification preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships that contribute to repeat business opportunities.
• Strong business development, networking, and client-facing skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with owners, design professionals, trade partners, and internal teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications including Word, Excel, Project, and Outlook.
• Experience with Procore, Primavera P6, BIM coordination platforms, and related construction technologies preferred.
• Passion for team-based planning, problem-solving, and collaboration.
• Commitment to building strong partnerships and delivering exceptional client service.