Data Center Owner's Representative - Mission Critical

Job: Data Center Owner's Representative

Location: Chicago, Il

Build Your Future with GBA

At GBA, we bring vision to life through collaboration, craftsmanship, and commitment. Our teams are driven by a shared passion for delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient projects that make an impact in the communities we serve.

The Data Center Owner's Representative (Owner's Rep) serves as the Owner's trusted partner and project steward, representing the Owner's interests across the entire lifecycle of mission-critical data center projects. This role ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, at the highest standards of quality, and with full alignment to enterprise operational readiness goals.

The Owner's Rep functions as the central point of accountability between the Owner and external stakeholders, including architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty trade contractors, equipment vendors, commissioning authorities, and operations teams. By providing technical oversight, strategic project management, and proactive issue resolution, the Owner's Rep safeguards the Owner's investment and ensures that every facility meets long-term performance, resiliency, and compliance requirements.

This position requires deep technical expertise in MEP and civil/structural systems, strong financial and contractual acumen, and proven leadership in coordinating large-scale, fast-track projects valued at $100M+. The Owner's Rep is expected to anticipate risks, advocate for the Owner's interests, and facilitate smooth project execution from site acquisition through turnover.

What You'll Do

Project Leadership & Oversight

• Serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for the Owner throughout design, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
• Lead Owner-side project meetings, steering committees, and milestone reviews; provide clear communication and direction across all project participants.
• Align project execution with Owner's business objectives, operational standards, and risk management policies.

Design & Preconstruction

• Participate in site selection, feasibility studies, and early due diligence.
• Review design development documents to ensure alignment with Owner's standards, resiliency goals, and scalability requirements.
• Coordinate with A&E firms to validate constructability, operational maintainability, and compliance with code/industry standards.
• Provide input on procurement strategy, contract structure, and bid evaluations.

Construction Administration

• Oversee the general contractor's execution of scope, budget, schedule, and QAQC requirements.
• Review and approve contractor submittals, RFIs, and change orders on behalf of the Owner.
• Track schedule milestones, cost exposures, and contingency usage; escalate issues to the Owner's leadership with actionable recommendations.
• Monitor safety performance and enforce strict adherence to site-specific safety and environmental protocols.

Technical Oversight & Commissioning Support

• Provide technical expertise in evaluating equipment submittals, installation practices, and integration of MEP systems.
• Participate in factory witness testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities at Levels 1-5.
• Ensure deficiencies are tracked, reported, and resolved through a structured QAQC and issue-management system.
• Support integrated systems testing to validate redundancy, failover, and sequence of operations.

Financial & Contractual Controls

• Monitor contractor invoices, pay applications, and progress reports to ensure financial transparency and accuracy.
• Provide detailed reporting to Owner executives on budget performance, change management, and forecast-to-complete.
• Enforce Owner's contractual rights, warranty protections, and performance guarantees.

Turnover & Operational Readiness

• Ensure delivery of as-builts, O&M manuals, commissioning reports, warranty binders, and training sessions for operations staff.
• Support the smooth transition of the facility from construction to operations, ensuring readiness for day-one occupancy and long-term reliability.
• Capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement of Owner's data center delivery standards.

What You Bring

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related discipline (PE, PMP, CxA, LEED AP, or equivalent certifications strongly preferred).

• Experience:

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience managing large-scale construction projects, with at least 5 years in mission-critical/data center environments.

• Direct experience overseeing projects $100M+ in value, with fast-track delivery schedules.

• Proven record of interfacing with Owners, A&E firms, general contractors, trade contractors, and commissioning providers.

• Technical Expertise:

• Strong working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, as well as civil/structural design and site development.

• Familiarity with industry codes and standards (NEC, NFPA 70E, ASHRAE, ANSI/NETA ATS, SMACNA, IBC, ADA, OSHA).

• Understanding of commissioning processes, testing protocols, and L1-L5 commissioning phases.

• Leadership & Communication:

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to resolve conflicts, manage competing priorities, and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders.

• Other Requirements:

• Ability to travel regionally/nationally to project sites as required.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with proficiency in project management and reporting tools (e.g., Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project, Primavera P6).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to navigate active construction sites safely
• Ability to stand, walk, and climb stairs or ladders as needed
• Capability to manage field-based responsibilities across varying environments

Travel

• This position requires regional and/or national travel based on project assignments.

Why You'll Love Working Here

At GBA, you'll be part of a team that values integrity, safety, and innovation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life, accident, and disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness initiatives
• Paid company holidays, floating holidays, and flexible time off
• Opportunities for training, professional growth, and advancement

Join Our Team

If you're a motivated professional who takes pride in delivering safe, high-quality work, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and build your future with GBA.

At GBA, we are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer promoting diversity in our workforce by including all individuals regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law.