Data Center Construction Senior MEP Manager

Summary

The Senior MEP Manager serves as the Owner’s Representative and technical authority for large-scale, mission-critical data center campus construction projects, providing senior-level oversight and strategic direction to ensure delivery in accordance with the highest industry standards. This role leads all aspects of MEP program execution, including OFCI equipment procurement strategy, site logistics, BIM coordination, and MOP development and enforcement. The Senior MEP Manager drives QA/QC governance across all MEP/F/FA/BMS systems and serves as the primary technical lead throughout all phases of the Commissioning process, from Cx planning through Tier certification.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior Owner’s Representative and primary technical authority, setting the standard for MEP execution across all phases of mission-critical data center construction.

• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate Owner risk by holding contractors accountable to construction documents and enforcing rigorous compliance standards throughout project execution.

• Lead cross-functional stakeholder engagement at the program level, driving rapid resolution of complex technical and logistical issues across Owner, GC, subcontractor, and design teams.

• Provide executive-level oversight of MEP construction activities, including master schedule management, critical path analysis, material procurement, and senior reporting to Owner leadership.

• Champion site safety culture, ensuring full integration and enforcement of the site safety plan across all MEP trades and subcontractors.

• Direct all commissioning phases in close partnership with the CxA, providing senior technical leadership from pre-functional testing through integrated systems testing and Tier-level certification.

• Establish and enforce QA/QC frameworks across all Cx levels, leveraging internal engineering resources and external specialists to ensure systems meet design intent and Owner requirements.

• Hold the General Contractor accountable to program milestones, providing strategic direction and escalation management to maintain schedule integrity across all MEP scopes.

• Lead MEP change order review and negotiation, providing senior-level analysis to validate scope alignment, cost reasonableness, and schedule impact relative to project documents.

• Serve as the senior technical liaison between OFCI vendors, contractors, and design teams, resolving complex coordination challenges and ensuring consistent alignment with project requirements.

• Lead comprehensive review and approval of MEP submittals, shop drawings, and RFIs, leveraging deep systems knowledge to identify design gaps, constructability issues, and risk items early.

• Oversee and represent the Owner at factory witness tests for critical OFCI equipment, ensuring compliance with project specifications prior to shipment.

• Direct equipment inspection programs, leading deficiency identification, root cause analysis, and resolution management across all subcontractors, vendors, and contractors.

• Ensure full compliance with CxA documentation standards, coordinating and driving testing activities across all stakeholders with the rigor required for mission-critical Tier certification.

• Lead site-specific testing strategy and utility coordination, aligning all parties on sequencing, requirements, and Owner-critical milestones.

Skills, Knowledge, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant field experience preferred. 

• 15+ years of progressive MEP experience in mission-critical construction, including senior management or Owner’s Representative roles on large-scale data center programs.

• Deep technical expertise in mission-critical MEP systems including high-voltage power distribution, UPS, generators, cooling infrastructure, and BMS/controls integration.

• Experience in building mission-critical data centers. 

• Expert-level knowledge of applicable building codes, NFPA standards, and complex mechanical/electrical system integration in Tier III/IV data center environments.

• Proficiency in project management platforms, scheduling tools (P6/MS Project), BIM coordination software (Navisworks/Revit), and standard MS Office suite.

• Willingness to travel. 

• Initiative, self-direction, and attention to detail. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary project teams in a high-performance, fast-paced environment.

• Executive-level communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to influence contractors, design teams, and senior Owner stakeholders to drive project outcomes.

• Capable of troubleshooting and resolving complex construction problems. 

• Effective planning and organization skills. 

• Flexibility and commitment to responsibilities. 

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities. 

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.