Data Center Owner's Representative - Energy & Utility Infrastructure

Data Center Owner's Representative - Energy & Utility Infrastructure

Gresham Smith

Knoxville, TN

$115.50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

About Us

At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions.

What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.

Why Gresham Smith?

When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:

  • A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline
  • 7 to 10 years of experience managing complex substation or utility infrastructure projects
  • Demonstrated success overseeing EPC contracts in a design-build delivery model
  • Strong working knowledge of high-voltage and medium-voltage substation systems, including protection, controls, and physical layout
  • Experience with permitting, utility coordination, and regulatory compliance
  • Familiarity with electrical design packages, including one-line diagrams, schematics, relay settings, and construction drawings
  • Preferred experience supporting substation infrastructure for data centers or mission-critical facilities
  • Familiarity with utility interconnection processes, NESC, IEEE, and other relevant codes and standards preferred
  • PMP or similar project management certification preferred
  • Experience with commissioning planning, energization procedures, and turnover documentation preferred

Most importantly, you bring genuine curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit—someone who wants to do great work with great people.

About the Role

As a Data Center Owner’s Representative, you will:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact between the EPC contractor and the owner’s internal campus infrastructure and construction teams
  • Coordinate across internal engineering, operations, and design groups to ensure the substation scope integrates with overall campus planning
  • Lead and document multi-disciplinary design review meetings, ensuring design quality, standards compliance, and system compatibility
  • Manage permitting strategy and submittals with EPC and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), including utility interconnection requirements
  • Facilitate coordination meetings and working sessions with EPC, design consultants, permitting agencies, and internal stakeholders
  • Conduct and coordinate regular site walkdowns to review construction progress, field conditions, and safety compliance
  • Track construction progress against schedule and budget milestones, proactively identifying and mitigating risks
  • Support and drive punch-list management, coordinating resolution of open items through construction and commissioning phases
  • Oversee project closeout activities including testing and commissioning coordination, documentation handover, and operational readiness
  • Ensure all deliverables and as-builts are received, reviewed, and accepted in alignment with project requirements

Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.

Join Us

If you’re excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s what you can expect:

Professional Growth: In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.

Culture that Cares: 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.

Competitive Benefits:

  • Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
  • Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
  • Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
  • Family Planning and Parental Leave
  • Mass/Public Transit Program
  • Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program

Gresham Smith is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. Everyone is invited to apply!

GRESHAM SMITH does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, headhunters, search firms, or agencies. No referral or recruiter fees will be paid without a fully executed GRESHAM PLACEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) in advance. Submissions made without a PSA may be recruited and hired by GRESHAM SMITH with no financial obligation to the submitting party. Any such unsolicited resumes or candidate information sent to hiring managers or any employee becomes the property of GRESHAM SMITH.




Frequently asked questions

Q: What skills or qualities help someone succeed as a Data Center Project Manager?

A: To succeed as a Data Center Project Manager, key technical skills include proficiency in data center infrastructure management, IT service management frameworks (e.g., ITIL), and project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall). Essential soft skills include strong communication and stakeholder management abilities, as well as leadership and problem-solving skills to navigate complex technical issues and team dynamics. By combining these technical and soft skills, a Data Center Project Manager can effectively lead projects, ensure timely delivery, and drive business value, ultimately supporting career growth and effectiveness in the role.

Q: What is the career path for a Data Center Project Manager?

A: A Data Center Project Manager's typical career progression involves starting as a Project Coordinator or Assistant Project Manager, overseeing small-scale projects and learning the fundamentals of project management. As they gain experience, they advance to mid-level roles such as Project Manager or Senior Project Manager, leading larger-scale projects and developing expertise in data center operations, IT infrastructure, and project planning. Ultimately, senior Data Center Project Managers can transition into leadership positions like Program Manager or Director of Data Center Operations, overseeing multiple projects and teams, and driving strategic initiatives within the organization.



Gresham Smith job posting for a Data Center Owner's Representative - Energy & Utility Infrastructure in Knoxville, TN with a salary of $115,500 Annually and benefits including Medical, Vision, Dental, PTO, Life, and Retirement with a map of Knoxville location.