Associate Construction Manager

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

JOB TITLE:   Associate Construction Manager

DEPARTMENT: Platform Delivery    

REPORTS TO:  Construction Manager or Senior Construction Manager

Does the thought of joining one of the fastest-growing, privately held data center companies sound exciting to you? Do you enjoy collaborating with team members to drive and operate some of the industry’s leading and most innovative infrastructure solutions?

At Aligned Data Centers, not only do we celebrate success across our platform, we celebrate the very teams that drive and support that success! Our culture is founded in passion, engineered from innovation, and driven by the pursuit of operational excellence. We are a company dedicated to driving positive change in the industry through continuous data center innovation, diversity and inclusion, and corporate sustainability.  

We realize not only is providing a comprehensive benefits package important, but we also provide a generous 401k match with immediate vesting, free membership to Gympass which provides our employees a rich health and wellness benefit and competitive time off plan.  Giving back and having fun is important to our team whether it be serving our communities or employee and customer events. Our Aligned DNA is what makes us unique and successful!    

SUMMARY: Assist in the management of all aspects of construction projects, from planning to closeout, to ensure performance certainty, including safety, project turnover dates, cost control, quality of craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.  Provide leadership and direction in construction management policies and fostering key relationships to include general contractors, trade partners, AHJs, and other essential project vendors and suppliers.  Will work closely with Senior Construction Manager and/or Director, Construction Management in the development and implementation of construction management best practices, procedures and tools.

• Travel may be required to support additional projects and pursuits.  Projects are expected to be throughout North America and could extend into LATAM, South America, and EMEA.
• Responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of construction projects.
• Projects will be large, fast moving, complex, and require a high degree of coordination and proactive leadership.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support projects from inception through customer or business turnover, with heavy focus and leadership in the preconstruction, construction, commissioning and turnover phases of projects.  The Associate Construction Manager operates as the primary support role to the Construction Manager (CM) or Senior Construction Manager (SCM) for the lifecycle of the project.
• Supporting accountabilities as directed by the CM or SCM include:
  • Provide guidance and project leadership including ground up construction, remodels, renovations, and fit outs, ensuring performance certainty of projects.
  • Organize and lead cross function work groups, including design, engineering, procurement, land enablement, commercial, operations, IT/network, sales, solutions architecture, legal, brand strategy, finance, and accounting as needed to achieve construction management best practices.
  • Develop collaborative relationships with the construction community including general contractors, MEP trade partners, CSA trades, local Authorities Having Jurisdiction, design partners, and other key project vendors and suppliers.
  • Active management of project budgeting from project inception through the various design phases and the completion of building turnover.
  • Manage budgets during the design phase to utilize cost data as an input to design decisions.
  • Direct as many as 25+ external vendors per project comprising of general contractors, A&E design teams, commissioning agents, equipment suppliers, etc.
  • Assist in development and implementation of company and departmental processes and best management practices within areas of responsibility.
  • Create effective tools to empower and incentivize contracting and design partners  to innovate approaches and solutions for project delivery and specific challenges.
  • Ensure effective contract administration including generation, review, management, and monitoring of prime contracts, subcontracts, change orders, cost forecasts, and other pertinent documents and documentation. Assure that internal controls are in place at each step of the process.
  • Inspect work in place and work in progress to ensure same meets or exceeds quality, specification, and schedule requirements.
  • Advocate for self-growth and promotion by seeking out training, professional development, and career advancement opportunities.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise in areas of responsibility.
  • Reports status, successes, challenges and plans of action to management     team and company on a timely basis.
  • Operates in lockstep with the DM on each project to ensure proper communications/escalations and regular reporting to all internal and external parties and leadership/management.
  • Integrates with the sales and solutions engineering teams during the revenue generation process to meet with customers and ensure technical deliverables are met.
  • Interfaces with customers through fit out design, construction and integration; accountable to successful delivery of customer contracts.
  • Manages the project with the business in mind and works to ensure the project is meeting directives of CRC/SLT/Board.
  • Operates with a constant mindset of continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency and innovation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, construction management or a related field.
• 2+ years progressive experience in successfully managing commercial construction projects or programs, with data center experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of lean construction methodologies and tools.
• Active listening and collaboration skills to engage all stakeholders in decision making processes.
• Basic understanding of various project delivery methods including IPD, Design-Build, and Design-Bid-Build.
• Basic understanding of various contract methods including lump sum, CM at risk, open book GMP, etc.
• Working knowledge of building construction and project management processes and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the design of data centers.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate construction documents including drawings, specifications and contracts.
• Competency in CPM scheduling methods, construction cost estimating, proposal generation and development, document management and contract administration
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and other industry computer applications.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, written and verbal presentation, negotiation, analytical and team-building skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work within a team on projects in an extremely fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Team Player with Strong Communications skills; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing - Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand/walk/sit
• Frequently required to bend/climb
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

At Aligned, we are committed to transparency and fostering a positive employee experience from your very first interaction with us. In compliance with Illinois pay disclosure requirements, when you join Aligned, you’ll have access to the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, short and long disability, life insurance and other voluntary benefits, 401k with employer match, bonus opportunities, paid time off, wellness benefits and professional development opportunities, all designed to support your well-being and career growth. We want you to have a clear understanding of what we offer, so you can make informed decisions about your future with us.

Aligned is equally committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities for all employees. We ensure that all applicants and team members are considered for employment, advancement, and all other employment-related matters without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of your job due to a disability or medical condition, please contact our People & Culture team. Accommodation requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws. Aligned will make reasonable accommodations where necessary to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.