Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – Data Center D&B (AI/DLC) 

Location - Georgia 
Duration til 2028

Role Mission Lead the full lifecycle of a Design & Build project for a next-generation AI/HPC data center featuring Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC). This role holds end-to-end responsibility for scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, performance, and stakeholder alignment. The Senior Project Manager acts as the central authority steering engineering, planning, construction, commissioning, and client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Project Leadership

• Define and oversee the full project roadmap, maintaining alignment with baseline scope, budget, and schedule.
• Establish project governance, reporting cycles, decision frameworks, and leadership communication.
• Represent the project in front of clients, executives, contractors, and authorities.

1. Planning & Controls

• Develop and maintain the master schedule and milestone plan across design, procurement, logistics, construction, and commissioning.
• Monitor actual progress, evaluate risks and deviations, and implement recovery plans as needed.
• Coordinate all workstreams to ensure cohesive execution and alignment with the critical path.

1. Cost & Contract Management

• Own CAPEX control, forecasting, cost tracking, and project cash flow.
• Lead procurement strategies, long lead item management, and negotiation with key suppliers (electrical, mechanical, DLC equipment, racks, etc.).
• Manage contracts with GC, subcontractors, and vendors, including variations and claims.

1. Technical Coordination & Design Leadership

• Actively participate in the design process, driving technical decision making, assessing alternatives, and managing technical risks.
• Serve as the primary technical counterpart to the client, presenting solutions, defending design choices, and resolving design related challenges.
• Coordinate all engineering disciplines (MEP, civil/architectural, IT/OT) to maintain technical coherency and functional alignment.
• Lead design reviews with the client and internal teams, ensuring fast resolution of comments and design blockers.
• Oversee value engineering, constructability reviews, and compliance with project performance requirements.
• Ensure proper integration of electrical systems (MV/LV, UPS, generators, redundancy) with mechanical/DLC systems (CDUs, loops, RDHx, thermal and hydraulic performance).

1. Construction Leadership

• Lead all onsite activities throughout construction, supervising daily and weekly coordination.
• Ensure adherence to quality plans, EHS guidelines, inspection/test plans, and documentation requirements.
• Oversee logistics, equipment delivery, installation, pressure testing, and DLC loop cleaning procedures.

1. Commissioning & Handover

• Oversee all commissioning phases: FAT, SAT, functional testing, and Integrated Systems Testing (IST).
• Manage punch lists, verification processes, and final operational turnover. -        Ensure delivery of complete as built documentation and O&M materials.

1. Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards including NEC, NFPA, IBC, OSHA, ASHRAE, and local AHJ requirements.
• Support inspections, permitting, and necessary certification steps.

1. Team Leadership

• Lead engineering, construction, commissioning, planning, QA/QC, HSE, and procurement teams.
• Drive accountability, communication, and cross functional coordination. -    Foster a culture of technical excellence and high performance.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience managing D&B/EPC mission critical or Data Center projects.
• Demonstrated experience in high density environments and/or DLC or advanced cooling technologies.
• Deep understanding of MEP systems and multidisciplinary integration in mission critical environments.
• Strong experience in construction management, commissioning oversight, and lifecycle project leadership.
• Proven capability in cost control, contract management, risk management, and stakeholder communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in AI/HPC focused data center projects.
• Familiarity with Tier standards (Uptime Institute), TIA942, or equivalent.
• Project management certifications (PMP, Prince2, etc.).
• Experience managing large, diverse, cross disciplinary teams.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.