Vice President of Construction

Element Critical provides hybrid infrastructure solutions in an expanding portfolio of data center facilities across the country. Our mission is to meet the diverse needs of today's business and technology leaders by delivering superior service and product offerings, cultivating trusted relationships with our customers, and motivating and enabling our employees.

OVERVIEW

Department: Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Chief Data Center Officer

Element Critical is seeking to add a VP of Construction who aligns with our company values of accountability, integrity, grit, and problem-solving. Led by a team of savvy and experienced executives with a history of success, this is an opportunity to get involved near the ground level and grow exponentially with a company that is poised to execute.

The ideal candidate will oversee all design development and be fully responsible for construction activities, processes, and personnel. The VP of Construction's charter is to lead our team of partners in the engineering and design of mission critical data center sites and spaces as well as to lead the internal and external teams in the construction delivery and operational commissioning for Element Critical's data center systems and infrastructure. They will ensure development and construction activities are on time and within budget for all projects.

The VP of Construction will establish development and construction processes, methodologies, policies, practices, standards, and associated KPIs to ensure the highest level of organization, planning, and execution. Apparent command of critical facility systems, installation and execution standards, engineering and design principles, practices, and procedures are also crucial. Build and maintain scope, schedule, budgets, as well as cost metrics and KPIs that enforce quality, repeatability, and continuity of product delivery to a defined set of product standards & guidelines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Development & Construction Leadership

• Develop and lead a strong organization that positions Element Critical for geographically dispersed expansion of capacity.
• Design best in class and cost-effective data centers that meet customer needs and local regulations. Incorporate renewable energy and industry leading sustainability practices into the design.
• Create strategic relationships with OFCI vendors, General Contractors, professional services vendors (Commissioning Agents, Controls integrators, specialty consultants, etc.), and field trades to enable safe and rapid delivery of data center capacity at advantaged and predictable costs.
• Continually enhance the team, product, and processes to ensure a culture rooted in innovation, collaboration, and effective execution.
• Create and build programs and standards as needed and where they currently don't exist.
• Assist facility diligence efforts in support of potential M&A opportunities.
  
  

Business & Personnel Leadership

• Implement and manage programs for safety, process improvement, business continuity, and certification and qualification for personnel as it related to Construction.
• Utilize external benchmarks to establish KPIs for internal and outsourced teams.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies in data center construction, incorporating innovative solutions where applicable to enhance project outcomes.
  
  

Excellence in Planning & Execution

• Ensure sustainable data center construction performance is optimized across the portfolio.
• Participate in and remain cognizant of Element Critical's extended real estate investment value considerations and ensure operations decisions are aligned.
• Oversight and management of data center construction, including implementation of operational and service enhancements, monitoring performance, and internal reporting.
• Orchestrate relationships with General Contractors, trade partners, & equipment suppliers.
• Negotiate, audit and drive optimal procurement related to OFCI and all construction requirements.
• Ensure company policies and legal guidelines are communicated across the organization and are followed at all times.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Proven track record of delivering engineering and construction on schedule and budget
• Demonstrated command of the design-build theatre of engineers, contractors, suppliers, labor, safety, security, audit, and public / municipal authorities.
• Consistent and programmatic delivery of all aspects of construction including tools for project management and process adherence, OFCI procurement and management, Quality Assurance & Quality Controls including VDC & Mock-Ups, Commissioning L1-L5/IST, and comprehensive project close-out.
• Growth oriented commercial disposition with innovative thought leadership and nuanced understanding of P&L, human capital leverage, resource allocation, and technology utilization leading to realized efficiencies and increasing profitability.
• Experience in a data center real estate invested environment with requirements for investor rates of return, asset acquisition, and platform standardization for value creation.
• Demonstrated history of leading a geographically dispersed team to consistently perform at or above plan in a high growth environment.
• Alignment of Element Critical's Core Values and guiding principles which lead to excellence, fairness, and justice in the workplace.
• 15+ years' experience in Design or construction of large scale in mission critical facilities with at least 5+ years' experience directly in the Data Center space.
• Ability to work in and support live data center projects, which require a rigorous approach to Procedure development by the project team in advance and in concert with the site's facility operations team.
• 'Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best in class solutions, raising quality and productivity in a calculated way.
• Benchmarks own performance against industry best practices.
• Strong financial acumen including ability to create and understand budgets, project financials, & invoicing.
• Skilled communicator and executive presence. Comfortable interfacing with the board.
• Ability to write reports & make effective presentations to employees, clients, and management.
• Maintaining client and vender relationships.
• Ability to motivate and negotiate effectively with key employees, top management, and clients.
• Travel Required – Varies 25% - 50% travel, primarily to project sites as needed or required.
  
  

Element Critical is a well-funded, fast paced organization that is seeking to make several acquisitions over the next few years and develop into a very strong national player. We offer the following benefits, in addition to a focus on growing our culture and engagement.

• PPO and HDHP Healthcare Plans
• FSA and HSA with above market Employer HSA Match
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Disability and Life Insurance
• Additional Group Insurances
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave
• 10 Company Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401k with up to 4% Employer Match
• Personal Development and Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program