Project Development Director Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow’s technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms.

We are:

• Forward-Thinkers: With a keen eye on current market trends and future innovations, we adapt swiftly and lead technological evolution.
• Resilient: We navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger, delivering robust and reliable solutions for industry pioneers.
• Innovative Designers: Leveraging the latest technologies, we create visionary solutions that redefine industry standards.

We remain committed and steadfast in solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution.

Sr Project Manager in Construction Role:

As a member of the company’s Design & Construction team, the Senior Project Manager’s primary responsibility is to manage every aspect of assigned capital construction projects including permitting, coordination with procurement of vendor products and services, contracting, construction management and administration, document control, invoice processing & change management, coordination with commissioning, documentation closeout and turn-over. Additionally, this role will assist or lead process improvement efforts and interdepartmental coordination.

Projects include but are not limited to:

• Development of ground-up data center buildings
• Redevelopment or upgrade of existing properties to state-of-the-art data centers
• Expansion of data centers and critical infrastructure within existing facilities or on existing property
• Large customer fit-outs and retrofits to accommodate customers occupancy and deployment needs

Duties:

Entitlements & Property Development (Primary or Supporting Role):

• Assist Real Estate Acquisitions, or other APLD stakeholder responsible for managing the site development process with site exploration and diligence as required by AHJ processes, and in order to assist the Design Manager and Design Team with information crucial to informing the design

Preconstruction/Predevelopment (Primary and Supporting Role):

• Assist Design Manager, Campus Project Director, and other project stakeholders in the development of the master project development budget.
• Assist Design Manager, Campus Project Director, and other project stakeholders in the development of the master project development schedule.
• Assist Design Manager, Campus Project Director, Procurement and other project stakeholders in the development and issuance of Requests for Proposals for the General Contractor services required on the project.
• Assist in the leveling of project proposal and associated summaries.
• Assist in, and provide consideration for, the selection of the General Contractor on the project.
• Manage the development of the master construction project budget, incorporating needed revisions and updates at milestones determined by the Campus Project Director and other project stakeholders.
• Ensure the GC is utilizing the APLD project criteria for project budget and bidding breakouts.
• Manage integration of General Contractor’s preconstruction effort. Assist to align design efforts with construction budget expectations and critical path construction schedule.
• Proactively consult with and assist the General Contractor in vendor and subcontractor partnerships to evaluate lead times of CFCI (important to get in schedule documents) and staff/labor availability in preparation for bidding

Procurement & Contracting (Primary Responsibility):

• Work with Design team and Procurement team to review RFP’s for contractors, vendors, and equipment, clearly defining scope, breakout of pricing, requested alternates, and other pertinent information needed to properly evaluate a proposal before contracting
• Provide ROJ dates for each group of equipment
• Provide information on how equipment is desired to be grouped in shipping. Provide recommendation for off-site storage as-needed.
• Enter requisition into Netsuite on areas of responsibility (GC, 3rd party, etc)
• Work with Procurement and Legal to understand contract and exhibits for contractors and related vendors.
• Finalize project scope, schedule and budget and coordinate with Finance for cash management
• Receive approved submittal for all owner-furnished equipment. Ensure that the general contractor has a process for managing OFCI documentation and is receiving the appropriate documents.

Construction Management, Administration & Document Control (Primary Responsibility):

• Manage all aspects of the project to ensure that set expectations regarding scope, schedule, budget, safety and quality are attained
• Produce weekly – project reporting that summarizes project risks, schedule milestones and variances, analyzes budget status, etc.
• Lead project kick-off meetings and vendor coordination meetings as needed. Connect general contractor(s) to any Applied Digital-furnished vendors.
• Lead all Data Center Readiness internal meetings and manage to Data Center readiness. Accountable for Applied Digital internal workgroups to achieve necessary completion dates that align with project schedule.
• Ensure that all vendor partners are following contract terms and conditions
• Monitor the RFI process and mitigate scope creep, schedule impacts, and changes
• Monitor BIM Coordination process and mitigate scope creep, schedule impacts, and changes
• Track the delivery, inspection and installation of all Owner Furnished Equipment
• Facilitate coordination between designers, installing contractors, Owner Furnished Equipment vendors and Owner Furnished Services vendors
• Ensure adherence to project Quality requirements by management of GC’s efforts and supporting project team members
• Review and validate project safety plans and measures
• Review and validate site logistics plans. Ensure alignment with operations, site master planning, and Applied Digital goals.

Billing and Invoice Processing & Change Management (Primary Responsibility):

• Ensure timely submission of vendor invoices to Accounts Payable
• Review and approve invoices in a timely manner to ensure that payment terms can be met
• Work to ensure that invoices are compliant with AP requirements and that the appropriate level of detail is provided
• Ensure accuracy of invoices prior to approval for payment
• Work with Finance as needed to report any potential deviations from the cash flow plan.
• Review all change order requests and ensure compliance with contract requirements. Ensure current invoices exclude change orders that are not fully approved or formally processed.
• Provide clear direction to all vendors related to change requests
• Vet all requests for additional scope that originate from other APLD stakeholders
• Review and respond to third party audit feedback on general contractor pay applications. Audit shall be performed quarterly and may require the general contractor to submit corrections.

Closeout & Turn-over (Primary Responsibility):

• Facilitate the collection, audit, and delivery of As-built Documents, Operation and Maintenance Manuals, Warranties, and other closeout documents to Data Center Operations team from the General Contractor. Save for record in Construction folders.
• Facilitate the transfer of keys, spare parts and extra materials and ensure they are documented, verified, and transmitted to the Operations team Facilitate early project on-boarding and integration strategy with Operations team.
• Ensure vendors submit final invoices in a timely manner to facilitate total project financial closeout and final cost reconciliation
• Work with Accounting and Procurement to close contracts, PO’s, and requisitions and close all accounting codes
• Conduct a final Data Center Readiness meeting with all key internal stakeholders to ensure that the facility can be operated and support customers
• Review systems training needs with APLD Operations and ensure that training requirements have been purchased and scheduled appropriately

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledgeable of the Entitlements and Zoning processes
• Knowledgeable of the Permitting and Inspections processes
• Proficient at reading and understanding design drawings and specifications
• Understand CPM scheduling methodology
• Knowledgeable of the design process and designers construction administration process
• Knowledgeable in design characteristics, installation, and operation of all major infrastructure systems involved in both data center and base building operations
• Knowledge of large and complex mechanical and electrical systems
• Experienced in writing Requests for Proposals, reviewing and evaluating vendor proposals and drafting and executing contract documents
• Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of and familiarity with standard commercial design and construction contracts
• Knowledge of equipment purchasing agreements
• Experienced in cost estimating and budget building in the CSI Master Format
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• The ability to work and communicate with a variety of personalities and cross functional groups

Education/Experience:

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering or Architecture is preferred
• Minimum of (10) Ten years of commercial construction project management experience
• Experience leading and managing design teams is required
• Project management experience on data center projects is preferred
• Experience with budget analysis & cost tracking, scheduling, progress reporting, change order management, and procurement of vendor services is required
• Experience with cash flow analysis is preferred

Travel:

Extensive travel (as required, but up to three weeks per month)