Construction Manager - Fire Suppression (Mission Critical, Northern Virginia)

Working knowledge of fire suppression and detection systems (pre-action and wet-pipe sprinkler, clean agent systems such as FM-200 and Novec 1230, inert gas systems, fire pumps, standpipes, aspirating/VESDA smoke detection, and fire alarm control panels).??. The Construction Manager is responsible for day-to-day onsite management of fire suppression, fire detection/alarm, and related life-safety subcontractor activities in live, mission critical data centers in Northern Virginia.

Construction Manager – Fire Suppression (Mission Critical, Northern Virginia)

Income range: $150,000- $162,500

Position Overview
The Construction Manager is responsible for day-to-day onsite management of fire suppression, fire detection/alarm, and related life-safety subcontractor activities in live, mission critical data centers in Northern Virginia. The role focuses on coordinating subcontractors, ensuring safety and quality, and keeping work aligned to schedule, procedures, and client requirements.
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This is a key onsite role to ensure safety and quality while managing day-to-day efficiency and adherence to schedule and program specifications.

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Key Responsibilities
Summary

• Manage onsite project execution as the primary point of contact for subcontractor supervisors and client representatives.??

Project Administration

• Track onsite task completion against the project schedule and trackers; report deviations and impacts promptly.??
• Maintain daily field reports and notes on task progress, site conditions, and issues.??
• Prepare and submit RFIs to the client; coordinate with technical leads to respond to subcontractor RFIs.??
• Collect documentation and evidence to initiate and support change order requests.??

Procurement & Mobilization

• Coordinate long?lead equipment needs with project management and arrange deliveries to align with outage windows and access constraints.??
• Perform pre?job walks with subcontractors to develop site utilization plans (laydown, logistics, and access).??
• Establish and maintain onsite working space and basic infrastructure for project teams.?
• Print and post required permits and full?size Issued?for?Construction drawings in the field.?
• Verify that subcontractors and lower?tier vendors meet qualification and licensing requirements before starting work.??

Safety

• Implement and enforce client and site?specific safety protocols, including hot work, fire-system impairment and interim fire protection, LOTO, and confined space procedures.??
• Conduct safety audits and inspections using client?specified digital tools (e.g., mobile safety/audit platforms).??
• Review subcontractor safety plans and consolidate them into client?required formats for review and approval.??

Quality & Execution

• Coordinate onsite activities for all trades and client resources to maintain productive, conflict?free work fronts.??
• Coordinate security and masking requests and manage site access through the established site?access processes.?
• Lead daily coordination with the client’s operations team at the start and end of the workday to review work plans, impacts, and status.??
• Coordinate with other concurrent projects and vendors onsite to avoid schedule and space conflicts.??
• Schedule and coordinate inspections with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and client representatives.??
• Assist in developing and tracking Methods of Procedure (MOPs) for execution in live environments and ensure field work follows approved MOPs and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).?
• Issue concise weekly “This Week / Next Week” updates summarizing accomplishments, upcoming work, and risks.??
• Ensure field work complies with NFPA (including 13, 72, 2001, and 25), IFC/IBC, and applicable local codes.??
• Manage stakeholder communication around fire-system impairments, shutdowns, and return-to-service during discharge testing, integrity testing, and commissioning.??
• Conduct pre?task planning meetings with subcontractors, especially before high?risk or intrusive work.??
• Review lift plans, confined space plans, hot work permits, and excavation / elevated?risk work plans, routing them to required approvers.??

Documentation & Closeout

• Coordinate final inspections with AHJs and client representatives to support turnover.??
• Develop, track, and close punch lists in collaboration with the client and trade partners.??

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Qualifications
Required

• 3+ years of construction management or field engineering experience in mission?critical, industrial, or data center environments, including at least 2 years overseeing live fire suppression, fire alarm/detection, or life-safety systems work.?
• Proven experience coordinating subcontractors, RFIs, change orders, and QA/QC documentation on active construction sites.?
• Working knowledge of fire suppression and detection systems (pre-action and wet-pipe sprinkler, clean agent systems such as FM-200 and Novec 1230, inert gas systems, fire pumps, standpipes, aspirating/VESDA smoke detection, and fire alarm control panels).??
• Familiarity with NFPA (13, 72, 2001, 25), IFC/IBC, OSHA, and site safety practices for high?risk work (hot work, fire-system impairments, LOTO, confined space).??
• Proficiency with construction management and documentation tools (e.g., Procore or similar) and standard office productivity software.?
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to lead onsite meetings and interface with client operations teams.?

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent field experience.?
• NICET certification in fire protection (e.g., water-based systems layout or fire alarm systems).?
• OSHA 30?hour construction safety training.?
• Prior experience in live data center retrofits or other mission?critical projects with strict uptime requirements.