Project Director

Project Director – MEP

Location: DeKalb, Illinois

Project: Confidential Hyperscale Data Center Development

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Project Director to lead site construction operations for a major hyperscale data center development in DeKalb, Illinois. My Client has the full MEP scope worth $100m+.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the project well ahead of construction, with physical site work expected to begin in summer 2027. The Project Director will play a key role in preconstruction planning, scheduling, logistics, mobilization and ultimately project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day construction and site operations.
• Manage field teams, subcontractors and trade partners.
• Drive sequencing, logistics, scheduling and execution.
• Work closely with the Project Executive on overall project delivery.
• Represent the organization with the GC, client and owner’s representatives.
• Make operational decisions independently and provide strong leadership on site.
• Support the project from preconstruction through construction and completion.

We are looking for someone with strong field credibility combined with the project-management maturity and client-facing ability to operate at Project Director level.

Ideal Background

The strongest candidates will have experience leading $100M+ complex construction projects, ideally within:

• Data centers / hyperscale
• Mission-critical
• Large campuses
• Advanced manufacturing
• Major industrial or MEP-intensive facilities

Direct data center experience is preferred but not essential. Strong construction leadership and the ability to independently own a major site operation are the priorities.

Candidates from a Senior Project Manager background may also be considered if they are already operating at Project Director level.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a major data center project from the very beginning.
• Help shape logistics, planning and execution strategy before mobilization.
• Significant autonomy and ownership of site operations.
• Broad Prime MEP scope rather than a narrow specialty package.
• Direct exposure to senior client and owner representatives.
• Opportunity to play a key role in delivering a major hyperscale facility.

Compensation & Location

Base salary: Up to $210k, depending on experience, with exceptional candidates considered individually.

Relocation support is available. Candidates can also commute from the Chicago area if comfortable with the site-based schedule. Mileage is reimbursed at the applicable IRS rate.

If you're a proven construction leader with the scale and experience to take ownership of a major data center operation, this is an opportunity to join a significant project at the ground floor.