Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager Data Center (Owners Representative) Job Description
This role leads the delivery of a new, ground-up data center development as an Owners Representative. The Project Manager advocates for the owners interests across all phases of the project, from site selection through commissioning and handover. The position oversees scope, schedule, budget, and quality while coordinating cross-functional stakeholders and ensuring the data center meets stringent mission-critical, safety, and performance requirements.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the Owners Representative and consistently protect the owners interests throughout all project phases.
- Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale, ground-up data center construction projects.
- Establish, manage, and control project scope, schedule, and capital expenditure (CapEx) budget.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, risk registers, and reporting structures to ensure transparency and control.
- Ensure alignment of the project with business objectives, operational requirements, and overall design intent.
- Act as the primary liaison between owners, developers, general contractors, architects/engineers (A/E), and key vendors.
- Facilitate design reviews, progress meetings, and critical decision-making sessions to keep the project on track.
- Manage third-party consultants, engineers, and commissioning agents to ensure coordinated delivery.
- Oversee contractor performance, ensuring contract compliance and effective change management.
- Ensure adherence to Uptime Institute Tier standards, redundancy requirements, and service level agreement (SLA) targets.
- Monitor construction progress, quality control, and compliance with safety standards on site.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to schedule, cost, and technical execution.
- Oversee installation and commissioning of electrical systems such as UPS, switchgear, and generators.
- Oversee installation and commissioning of cooling systems including CRAC/CRAH units, chillers, and containment solutions.
- Oversee installation and commissioning of structured cabling and network infrastructure.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards including Uptime Institute Tier levels, ANSI/TIA-942, and applicable local building and environmental codes.
- Coordinate integrated systems testing and commissioning to verify performance and reliability of critical systems.
- Track project budgets, forecasts, and cost variances to maintain financial control.
- Review contractor invoices, change orders, and procurement strategies for accuracy and alignment with project goals.
- Provide executive-level reporting on project status, risks, milestones, and key decisions.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
- 510 years of experience in construction project management.
- 35+ years of experience in data center or other mission-critical environments.
- Direct experience acting as an Owners Representative on construction projects.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems and critical infrastructure.
- Hands-on experience with data center projects, including electrical systems such as UPS, switchgear, and generators.
- Hands-on experience with data center cooling systems, including CRAC/CRAH units, chillers, and containment.
- Experience overseeing structured cabling and network infrastructure installation and commissioning.
- Proficiency in project management tools such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and Procore.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for documentation, reporting, and communication.
- Demonstrated ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget for large commercial construction projects.
- Experience managing change orders and contractor performance in a commercial construction environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working on ground-up data center developments as an Owners Representative.
- Familiarity with Uptime Institute Tier standards and redundancy strategies for mission-critical facilities.
- Knowledge of ANSI/TIA-942 standards for data center design and infrastructure.
- Understanding of local building and environmental codes applicable to data center construction.
- Experience coordinating third-party consultants, engineers, and commissioning agents.
- Ability to develop and maintain detailed risk registers and project reporting structures.
- Strong communication skills to effectively liaise with owners, developers, contractors, and vendors.
- Experience with commercial construction environments, including job site operations and office-based coordination.
Work Environment
The position is based on site and in the office in Hanover, Maryland. The Project Manager works primarily from the job site trailer and the nearby office, providing close oversight of daily construction activities and direct coordination with field and office teams. The role supports a 12-month contract-to-hire structure and offers six paid holidays (or holidays when the site is shut down) and two weeks of paid time off. The environment centers on a large-scale data center construction project, using tools such as Procore, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office for planning, documentation, and reporting. Work occurs in an active construction setting, requiring frequent presence on site to monitor progress, safety, and quality while also performing planning and reporting tasks in the office.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Frederick, MD.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $156000.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Frederick,MD.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
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