Data Center Construction Director

Multiple Locations: Houston, TX or Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area (initial base), with transition to Project Site(s)

Company: Fortune 500 Energy Company

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Data Center Construction Director to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale data center construction projects. This role will initially be based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with a planned transition to project site(s) as projects advance. The successful candidate will oversee multi-million to multi-billion dollar capital projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery while meeting rigorous safety, quality, sustainability, and operational standards for a leading Fortune 500 energy company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end construction delivery of hyperscale and enterprise data center projects, from site selection and early design through commissioning and handover.
• Develop and manage overall project execution strategies, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and contingency plans.
• Oversee general contractors, design firms, specialty trade partners, and internal cross-functional teams (engineering, power, cooling, IT, operations, legal, and EHS).
• Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols, quality standards, building codes, and company ESG/sustainability requirements.
• Manage complex interfaces including high-voltage power delivery, electrical distribution, mechanical systems (chilled water, free cooling, etc.), structural, civil, and low-voltage/IT infrastructure.
• Drive value engineering, constructability reviews, and continuous improvement while protecting schedule and cost.
• Serve as the primary construction lead for owner-side decision-making; escalated issues and recommend solutions to senior leadership.
• Coordinate permitting, utility interconnects, and local/state regulatory requirements across jurisdictions.
• Build and lead high-performing project teams; mentor construction managers and site leadership.
• Maintain strong relationships with key external partners and internal stakeholders while representing the company professionally in the field and in executive forums.
• Support the transition of completed facilities to operations teams and capture lessons learned for future programs.
• Travel as required between the D.C. area, Louisiana project sites, and other locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive construction experience, with at least 8–10 years in data center, mission-critical, or large industrial/energy infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record delivering complex, large-scale data center or similar mission-critical facilities (preferably hyperscale).
• Strong technical understanding of data center critical systems: power (UPS, generators, switchgear, medium/high voltage), mechanical/cooling, structural, and IT infrastructure.
• Demonstrated success managing budgets, schedules, and multi-contractor environments on projects of significant scale.
• Experience leading owner-side or construction management teams on capital projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently and work in active construction environments.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent preferred but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Fortune 500 or large energy/utility company capital programs.
• Experience with modular, prefabricated, or rapid-deployment data center construction methods.
• Knowledge of sustainability standards (LEED, energy efficiency, water stewardship) relevant to data centers.
• PMP, CCM, or similar project management certification.