Project Executive
- Modular Data Center Division Appleton Finn
- 5.0 San Francisco, CA Job Details Full-time $200,000
- $275,000 a year 20 hours ago Benefits Relocation assistance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Flexible schedule Life insurance Qualifications Spanish Strategic management Data center experience Construction management software Construction industry experience Managing projects Commercial building projects Deploying data center facilities Construction estimating Senior leadership Full Job Description Project Executive•Modular Data Center Division San Francisco Bay Area | Mission Critical Construction | $30M•100M+ Projects The Opportunity This is a rare, career-defining opportunity to be the founding executive of a newly established Modular Data Center division, operating across the San Francisco Bay Area.
You will serve as the tip of the spear — the single most senior construction leader within this division — responsible for shaping its culture, systems, processes, and delivery capability from the ground up. You will sit in an advisory capacity to senior organizational stakeholders, helping to define strategic direction while personally driving execution on a portfolio of complex, high-value modular data center projects ranging from $30 million to $100 million in value. Compensation is structured to reflect the seniority and impact of this role, with an extremely competitive base salary and a bonus program that is among the most lucrative in the industry. This is not a caretaker role — it is a builder's role, and it demands someone who thrives in ambiguity, commands respect in the field and the boardroom, and is motivated by building something lasting. Position Summary The Project Executive will own the full life cycle of modular, mission-critical data center construction projects across the Bay Area. This role carries ultimate accountability for budget performance, schedule integrity, contract governance, team leadership, quality outcomes, and client satisfaction across all active projects within the division. In addition to direct project oversight, the Project Executive will serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, contributing to division-wide planning, business development, and operational buildout. Key Responsibilities Division Leadership & Strategic Advisory
- Serve as the senior-most construction authority within the Modular Data Center division, guiding its operational and strategic direction.
- Act as a principal advisor to executive stakeholders on project performance, risk posture, market conditions, and divisional growth.
- Establish and enforce division-wide standards for project delivery, reporting, quality control, and safety.
- Lead the buildout of internal processes, tools, and talent pipelines required to scale the division's capabilities.
- Represent the division in client-facing, business development, and industry settings. Project Administration & Contract Oversight
- Oversee all project administration across active projects, including contracts, purchase orders, permits, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Lead procurement and buy-out processes aligned with project schedules and modular construction sequencing.
- Review and negotiate subcontract scopes to ensure thoroughness, clarity, and risk allocation appropriate for mission-critical environments. Cost Management & Forecasting
- Develop and maintain detailed cost-to-complete forecasts across a $30M
- 100M+ portfolio; identify and proactively mitigate financial exposures.
- Oversee budget tracking systems and cost controls; ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure accurate development and maintenance of Schedules of Values to support cash flow and payment cycles. Change Order Management
- Manage the end-to-end change order process across all projects, including tracking of proposed, pending, and executed changes.
- Ensure all legitimate scope-driven costs are recovered and clearly communicated to clients and stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate documentation and forecasting of field directives and back charges. Schedule Management
- Collaborate with field leadership to develop and maintain project schedules and key milestones for modular data center builds.
- Monitor critical path activities across all projects; implement corrective measures to prevent or mitigate delays.
- Lead monthly schedule reviews and narrative updates; communicate status clearly to all stakeholder levels. Team Leadership & Development
- Build, lead, and mentor cross-functional project teams including Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, and administrative staff.
- Set high expectations and cultivate a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Champion knowledge-sharing, training programs, and career development initiatives aligned with division values and long-term growth. Client & Subcontractor Relations
- Serve as the primary executive point of contact for clients, delivering proactive communication, issue resolution, and strategic partnership.
- Foster strong, professional relationships with trade partners, consultants, and technology vendors in the data center space.
- Maintain rigorous but fair subcontractor oversight; address non-performance quickly to protect project outcomes. Risk & Quality Management
- Implement project-specific and division-wide risk management strategies, including timely notifications, documentation, and escalation protocols.
- Enforce quality control standards appropriate for mission-critical modular construction, including mock-ups, benchmark inspections, and nonconformance tracking.
- Ensure coordination and submittal processes are completed within project timeframes across all active builds. Cash Flow & Payment Management
- Monitor cash flow health across the division's portfolio by aligning billing cycles, tracking receivables, and managing payables.
- Review subcontractor pay applications for compliance with executed change orders and deliverable milestones.
- Partner with finance and accounting to maintain lien compliance and ensure timely payment processing. Project Close-Out
- Initiate close-out planning early in each project life cycle; oversee assembly of as-built documents, warranties, and punch lists.
- Drive phased turnover strategies appropriate for operational data center environments with zero-downtime requirements.
- Secure client satisfaction, reference documentation, and repeat business opportunities at project completion. Qualifications Experience & Background
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in commercial construction project management, with the last several years at the executive or senior project management level.
REQUIRED
Direct experience at a General Contractor (GC), or substantial GC-side experience prior to transitioning to an owner's representative or executive role.
REQUIRED
Proven, hands-on experience delivering mission-critical, data center, or heavily MEP-intensive construction projects.
- Demonstrated experience managing modular or prefabricated construction programs is strongly preferred.
- Track record of successfully delivering complex projects in the $30M
- 100M+ range, on time and within budget.
- Bay Area construction market knowledge and established trade partner relationships are a significant advantage. Technical & Leadership Competencies
- Deep fluency in contracts, construction law, permitting, and industry best practices in a California context.
- Exceptional ability to read and interpret complex construction documents, MEP specifications, and data center technical standards.
- Skilled negotiator with proven ability to manage conflict, drive resolution, and perform financial analysis under pressure.
- Executive-level communication skills — equally credible in a boardroom, on a job site, and in a client presentation.
- Strong organizational acumen with the ability to manage a multi-project portfolio simultaneously without loss of detail or urgency.
- Proficiency with leading construction management software platforms and project controls systems. Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certifications such as PE, PMP, LEED, or similar are a plus.
- Active affiliations with AGC, NFMT, 7x24 Exchange, or equivalent industry bodies.
- Spanish language proficiency for field and subcontractor communication is preferred.
Compensation & Benefits This role carries one of the most competitive compensation packages in the Bay Area construction market, commensurate with the scope of responsibility and the division-defining nature of the position. Total compensation includes a highly competitive base salary, an exceptionally well-structured bonus program tied to division and project performance, and a comprehensive benefits package. Full details will be provided to qualified candidates during the interview process. Working Conditions This is a Bay Area-based role combining executive office responsibilities with active construction site presence. Candidates must be capable of navigating live data center construction environments, managing multiple concurrent project phases, and maintaining effective communication across all levels of the organization — from field crews to C-suite stakeholders. Occasional travel within the region and to manufacturer or modular fabrication facilities may be required.
INDAF Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$200,000.00
00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance Vision insurance
Compensation Package:
Bonus opportunities Yearly pay
Experience:
Data center : 5 years (Required)
Project Management:
6 years (Required) Ability to
Commute:
San Francisco, CA 94177 (Required) Ability to
Relocate:
San Francisco, CA 94177: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location:
In person