Senior Project Manager - Construction Management
Portfolio Project Management - East | Ashburn, VA | Full Time
At Cresa, we believe our clients deserve better. A better space to work, create, build, grow. A better outcome for their people and organization. A better partner who puts their needs first, helping them navigate the landscape, tilting the playing field in their favor and giving them an insider’s edge.
Our mission is to find and foster the best environment for every business. Our purpose is to think beyond space - strengthening those we serve and enhancing quality of life for our clients and employees. We are built to champion our clients’ aspirations through real estate. When considering partnership, we strive to connect with those who share our values: Work Together, Create Value, Be Tenacious, Enhance Community, and Embrace Diversity.
We believe in being the change. We work together to find new ways of doing things that create value for our clients — and for each other. Because there is not much that feels better than collaborating to make a positive difference each day.
At Cresa, we offer an opportunity to be part of something bigger. To learn, advance, mentor and be recognized. Your voice will be heard, and you will be valued for both your individual and team contributions.
Job Summary
Leads construction management planning and execution for mission critical data center projects, ensuring alignment with technical specifications, schedule requirements, and financial performance goals. Provides strategic oversight throughout the full project lifecycle, implementing best practices and standards specific to high-availability infrastructure environments. Applies deep expertise in construction operations to establish and track key performance indicators across safety, productivity, quality, and commissioning. Oversees risk mitigation, issue resolution, and coordination of project teams and stakeholders. Interfaces directly with clients, ensuring continuous communication and alignment with program goals. Analyzes performance metrics to recommend operational improvements and long-term value optimization.
Key Responsibilities
Demonstrates a high level of autonomy and decision-making across:
- Development of RFPs and total project cost modeling
- Oversight and coordination of pre-bid activities
- Management of all design phases, from concept through permit-ready documents
- Client engagement through preconstruction, delivery, and closeout
- Direction and management of all external contractors and vendors
- Cross-functional coordination with internal teams and subject matter experts
- Oversight of on-site construction and critical systems integration
- Leadership through the commissioning and integrated systems testing phases
- Handoff of completed facilities and project documentation to Operations teams
Essential Job Functions
- Full accountability for scope, schedule, and budget performance
- Lead all construction activities including site acquisition support, entitlement, design development, permitting, contractor bidding and selection, execution oversight, and project closeout
- Initiate and champion internal project approval cases with executive-level justification
- Enforce rigorous quality control and safety compliance in alignment with mission critical standards
- Lead weekly site safety walks and reporting in coordination with client safety requirements (minimum two per week)
- Interpret and translate technical requirements into executable field direction with minimal supervision
- Facilitate alignment between project team, contractors, operations personnel, and clients
- Prepare and present monthly project reporting including forecast, cash flow, and financial risk
- Review and validate monthly contractor pay applications and perform field walks to confirm earned value
- Negotiate and manage vendor contracts and change orders, including onboarding of new service providers
- Oversee coordination and integration of engineering deliverables, ensuring compliance with data center design standards and operational goals
- Document and implement lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance delivery efficiency and reduce costs
- Coordinate with Facilities Operations to integrate maintainability and operational readiness into the design and construction process
- Manage and mentor junior staff, ensuring alignment with team and project goals
- Responsible for employee management decisions including hiring, training, performance management, and corrective actions as needed
- Maintain a high degree of situational awareness regarding critical facility impacts and MOP/SOP adherence
- Perform other duties as assigned by management
Experience/Training/Education/Certification
- Bachelor’s in Construction Management, similar field, or equivalent experience
- 5 years of experience in leading construction projects of growing complexity required, 7+ years preferred
- 1-3 years of supervisory experience required
- Experience in CSA (civil, structural, architectural) and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) construction management, required
- Mission critical experience is strongly preferred
- Proficiency in Procore, Cx Alloy, and P6 is strongly preferred
Physical Requirements
- Some travel will be required (up to 50%) however may grow over time
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to stand, stoop, bend, sit, walk for extended periods
- Continuous ability to adapt to the physical needs of a construction site in all phases
EEOC
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.