Senior Project Manager, Data Center Development & Construction

Job Description

Job Description

Headquartered in the Greater Washington area, American Real Estate Partners (AREP) is a US-based leading institutional fund manager and real estate partner with over $13 billion deployed across key U.S. markets. Specializing in data center, residential, industrial, and office assets, AREP has acquired more than 34 million square feet of Class A real estate and currently manages over 25 million square feet.

PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly owned division of AREP, is a developer and owner of next-generation data centers and provides technical real estate solutions for hyperscalers across the country. Backed by strategic joint venture partnerships, PowerHouse leverages its proven leadership and best-in-class technical expertise to deliver innovative real estate solutions.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Project Manager will work as part of a cross-functional team supporting a wide range of mission-critical data center development and construction projects. This position is primarily responsible for managing assigned projects from preconstruction through execution, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

This role is also responsible for coordinating consultants, contractors, internal stakeholders, and vendors to deliver projects in accordance with AREP's standards and investor expectations. The Sr. Project Manager is critical to ensuring disciplined execution, proactive issue management, and timely project delivery.

The Senior Project Manager reports to the Vice President, Data Center Development & Construction and has an on-site schedule in Ashburn, VA.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead end to end delivery of a turnkey data center construction project within existing facilities from preconstruction through commissioning and client handover

• Own day-to-day project execution activities, including coordination with general contractors, MEP trade partners, architects, engineers, and key vendors.

• Manage and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including development agreements, permits, drawings, specifications, contracts, change orders, and closeout materials.

• Develop, manage, and track project schedules; review schedule, identify and escalate potential risks, delays, or deviations to senior leadership in a timely and solutions-oriented manner.

• Lead project meeting management, including planning agendas, facilitating meetings, documenting minutes, and tracking action items to resolution.

• Manage project budgets in coordination with accounting, acquisitions team, asset management, and leadership, including reviewing job cost reports, evaluating cost-to-complete forecasts, and identifying variances.

• Review, evaluate, and negotiate change orders; ensure scope, cost, and schedule impacts are fully assessed and documented prior to approval.

• Own construction contract administration, including issuing contracts, reviewing pay applications and lien releases, and ensuring compliance with contractual, safety, and quality requirements.

• Implement and enforce project controls, change management processes, and communication plans to prevent scope creep and manage risk.

• Monitor contractor performance to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and contractual requirements.

Key Qualifications & Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field, or equivalent additional professional experience in lieu of degree.

• 5+ years of construction or development project management experience on mission-critical or technically complex commercial construction projects, including data centers or high-density MEP environments.

• Strong proficiency in construction contracts, cost controls, scheduling, and change management.

• Strong ownership mindset with accountability for delivering projects to approved cost, schedule, and quality targets.

• Proficient in executing project level Sustainability plans, including understanding of relevant data center sustainability metrics (e.g., PUE, WUE). 

• Proven ability to lead complex projects with multiple stakeholders, exercising sound judgment to evaluate risk, resolve issues, and drive decisions aligned with business objectives.

• Proactive problem solver who anticipates barriers, develops mitigation strategies, and adapts effectively in fast‑paced, dynamic project environments.

• Clear, professional communicator with the ability to convey complex information effectively to internal teams and external partners, both verbally and in writing.

• Proficient in project management and financial systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, Yardi, Primavera P6, and cloud‑based construction platforms such as Procore or Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Candidates with any or all of the following background are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Project management (PMP) or construction management (CCM) certifications.

• Experienced in hyperscale turn-key data center projects.

• Experienced in real estate development and/or finance.

AREP offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your eligible family members, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), life and supplemental life insurance and short and long-term disability insurance. Our package includes Paid Time Off, Parental Leave, 401(k) plan with employer match, Employee Assistance Program and Employee Discount Program.

AREP is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, as well as any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

If you require special accommodation, please email HR@americanrepartners.com.

AREP does not accept unsolicited resumes or identifiable candidate information from third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited information will not be considered for engagement purposes.