Job Title: Traveling Project Manager - Data Center Construction
Job Description
This Traveling Project Manager role leads large-scale, mission critical, and data center construction projects with a strong focus on MEP-intensive work. You will manage complex projects from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover, build and maintain strong relationships with clients and project partners, and serve as the final point of accountability for project performance, financial outcomes, and team deliverables. The role combines leadership, technical expertise, and business acumen, and requires frequent travel to data center project sites while contributing to a collaborative, high-performing project team culture.
Responsibilities
Model and reinforce core values of empathy, perseverance, integrity, and curiosity in all decisions and day-to-day execution.
Manage and grow strong, positive relationships with clients, data center operators, project partners, architects, engineers, commissioning agents, and owners.
Participate in business development efforts focused on mission critical, data center, and high-tech clients, including lead generation and new pursuits.
Take initiative on new business development opportunities and support interviewing, presenting, and pitching to prospective clients and mission critical stakeholders.
Represent the company at project kickoff, milestone, commissioning, turnover, and closeout gatherings to strengthen relationships and create a lasting professional impression.
Maintain proactive, clear, and professional communication with project partners, prioritizing verbal communication and following up with thorough written documentation.
Manage project issues by clearly presenting both problems and potential solutions to the Team Lead for collaborative resolution.
Deliver performance feedback and contribute to formal reviews for direct reports, supporting their professional growth and accountability.
Delegate effectively, oversee workload balance, and provide day-to-day support to junior staff to ensure efficient project execution.
Provide mentorship, oversight, and support to Project Engineers and Project Coordinators throughout the project lifecycle.
Participate in onboarding and training for new team members and present ongoing process improvement and best-practice training sessions.
Serve as the final point of accountability for project performance, ensuring all project requirements and deliverables are completed accurately, on time, and to established standards.
Observe and manage the prime contract process, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and project goals.
Participate in trade partner selection, interviews, awards, and buyouts, with a focus on critical systems contractors and key equipment vendors.
Participate in the creation of Scopes of Work, Exhibit A documents, and Schedule of Values for all Work Orders.
Lead procurement planning and management for long-lead mission critical equipment, including switchgear, generators, UPS systems, PDUs, cooling systems, and controls packages.
Monitor project financial performance, oversee budgets, and manage contingency, allowances, and general requirements to align with profit goals.
Ensure timely delivery of accounting questionnaires, pencil draw submissions, and change order or claims approvals.
Manage claims, financial reconciliation, commissioning closeout costs, and Day 2 work planning to support project closeout and ongoing work.
Oversee job cost details and financial forecasting, managing cost recovery, contingency, allowances, and general requirements.
Independently develop and manage accurate monthly project profit forecasts.
Identify and proactively mitigate project risks related to procurement, commissioning, schedule impacts, and operational readiness.
Manage multiple tasks and priorities with the support of the Team Lead while maintaining high standards of quality and organization.
Participate in initial project setup, including permitting, procurement planning, project controls setup, and schedule development in partnership with the Superintendent.
Participate in kickoff meetings to align team members on expectations, procurement strategy, commissioning milestones, schedule, profit targets, and responsibilities.
Maintain comprehensive awareness of project milestones, equipment delivery schedules, commissioning activities, and critical path items.
Estimate projects with approval from the Team Lead and Preconstruction, contributing to accurate and competitive proposals.
Actively mentor junior staff during each phase of the project lifecycle, consistently identifying opportunities to support their growth and development.
Effectively manage multiple large-scale mission critical projects concurrently, demonstrating strong organizational, leadership, and decision-making capabilities.
Seamlessly assume responsibility for projects at any stage by quickly assessing status, identifying priorities, and driving successful outcomes.
Coordinate closely with field leadership, commissioning agents, design consultants, and client teams to ensure successful startup, testing, turnover, and operational readiness.
Lead management of RFIs, submittals, change orders, procurement logs, commissioning documentation, and turnover deliverables.
Maintain a strong understanding of project financial structure, job cost details, and mission critical project delivery requirements.
Apply sound construction, operational, and risk-management judgment during estimating, buyout, procurement, and financial oversight activities.
Serve as a trusted resource for critical systems coordination, procurement strategy, and project execution on mission critical construction projects.
Maintain working knowledge of critical electrical infrastructure, including switchgear, generators, UPS systems, PDUs, and power distribution systems.
Maintain working knowledge of critical mechanical infrastructure, including chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC units, cooling plants, controls systems, and building automation systems.
Understand commissioning processes, startup procedures, integrated systems testing, turnover requirements, and operational readiness planning.
Support quality assurance and quality control processes to ensure compliance with client standards, contract requirements, and commissioning objectives.
Foster client retention by building strong relationships and leading collaborative, high-performing project teams.
Demonstrate strong integrity by following through on commitments, taking ownership of decisions, and upholding responsibility for overall project success while serving as a reliable leader for junior staff.
Essential Skills
Minimum of six (6) years of experience successfully managing mission critical, data center, high-tech, or other complex MEP-intensive construction projects.
Proven experience managing projects with budgets of $1M or greater.
Demonstrated proficiency in project scheduling, procurement, scope development, contract review, financial oversight, risk management, and commissioning coordination.
Experience managing large-scale MEP systems, critical infrastructure installations, equipment procurement, startup, and turnover activities.
Strong understanding of mission critical project delivery, commissioning processes, operational readiness, and turnover requirements.
Ability to effectively oversee budgets, contingencies, allowances, general requirements, and project profit forecasts.
Proven ability to foster client retention, build strong relationships, and lead collaborative, high-performing teams.
Exceptional people management skills with a high level of engagement and a team-centered leadership approach.
Demonstrated integrity through consistent follow-through on commitments and ownership of decisions and outcomes.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple large-scale mission critical projects concurrently.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on proactive, clear, and professional interaction with project partners.
Capability to mentor, develop, and support junior staff, including Project Engineers and Project Coordinators.
Ability to identify and proactively mitigate project risks related to procurement, commissioning, schedule, and operations.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, complex project environment with high expectations for quality, safety, and performance.
Willingness and ability to travel to multiple data center project locations as required.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
Experience with mission critical, data center, and high-tech clients in a general contractor or construction management setting.
Familiarity with prime contract processes, trade partner selection, and development of Scopes of Work and Exhibit A documents.
Experience leading procurement planning and management for long-lead mission critical equipment such as switchgear, generators, UPS systems, PDUs, cooling systems, and controls packages.
Working knowledge of chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC units, cooling plants, controls systems, and building automation systems.
Working knowledge of critical electrical infrastructure, including power distribution and backup systems.
Experience supporting or leading quality assurance and quality control processes on complex construction projects.
Comfort representing the organization at client meetings, project milestones, and closeout events.
Experience participating in or leading training, onboarding, and process improvement initiatives for project teams.
Motivation to contribute to a culture defined by empathy, integrity, perseverance, curiosity, humility, respect, and accountability.
Work Environment
This role supports mission critical and data center construction projects and requires frequent travel to active job sites. The first assignment is a data center project in the Kansas City area, followed by a data center project in Alabama, with potential for additional projects in other locations. You will work closely with field leadership, commissioning agents, design consultants, and client teams in a collaborative, fast-paced environment focused on complex MEP-intensive construction. The organization operates as a best-in-class general contractor, delivering projects across workplace, amenity, retail, hospitality, healthcare, lab and life sciences, and education sectors. The culture emphasizes empathy, integrity, perseverance, curiosity, humility, respect, and accountability, with team members supporting one another through challenges and staying committed to doing work the right way. You can expect to engage in all phases of project delivery, from preconstruction and permitting through procurement, commissioning, and turnover, often working around critical electrical and mechanical infrastructure such as switchgear, generators, UPS systems, PDUs, chilled water systems, CRAH/CRAC units, and building automation systems. The environment values collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development, offering opportunities to mentor others, contribute to process improvements, and participate in business development efforts while helping build an inclusive and innovative future for the construction industry.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $57.69 - $86.54/hr.
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 Chicago,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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 acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
