Senior Director, Data Center Pre-Construction Delivery

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Data Center Pre-Construction Deliver Leader will serve as a critical leader in driving the front-end strategy and execution of Equinix's AMER construction portfolio, ensuring projects are positioned for speed, scale, and operational excellence. This role will oversee the strategic direction of the project pipeline, partnering closely with AMER Hub Leads and cross-functional stakeholders across Design & Engineering, Permitting, Procurement, Commercial, and Construction to streamline project delivery, reduce handoffs, and accelerate capacity deployment. The individual will also establish and maintain best-in-class project governance, standards, and processes from pre-award through shell and core completion while fostering strong, high-performing relationships with key supply chain partners, including General Contractors and MCEs, to drive consistent execution and business outcomes.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the VP Construction AMER, the Senior Director will bring the urgency to front-end activities in project delivery – and will espouse the principle that “Every Day Matters” to ensure that float is built and maintained for the fit-out and commissioning phases,  

• Working with other Leaders in the Equinix GDC team to ensure that the priorities are aligned, executed and monitored

• Establishing checklist for pre-award and project setup

• Ensuring there is a consistent and right- sized GC organization structure

• Tracking GC selection & procurement of key subs & materials and an effective RIBA 5 (GC design) process

• Working closely with the Design team to accelerate permitting process and actively seeking opportunities to commence enabling works on the site earlier than we are currently achieving (speed-to-market focus)

• Ensuring standard of excellence for scheduling & productivity with focus on C&S & site works, and harmonizing our processes to enable a predictable execution of our Shell & Core build, facilitating early access to our MEP fit-out and ultimately providing sufficient time for our CX teams to achieve or improve our committed dates to the business and our customers

• Maintain strong working relationships with internal and external team members including staff, subcontractors, vendors, architects, and other industry professionals

• To ensure efficient and effective departmental performance including training, professional development, and career advancement opportunities

• Interview, hire, and assure effective training and development of the team

• Provide company subject-matter expertise in areas of responsibility

• Reports status, successes, challenges and plans of action to management team and company on a timely basis

• Develop, manage and be accountable for achievement of key departmental metrics

• Provide leadership and direction in the areas of company construction policies, vendor relationships, accountability, training and employee development, subcontractor and supplier relationships, project and group profitability, and all other areas covered within and by this group all in order to achieve overall Company objectives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related technical discipline

• 10+ years of progressive experience in mission-critical construction, pre-construction, contract management, and capital project delivery

• 5+ years of experience leading, developing, and mentoring professional teams in complex project delivery environments

• Demonstrated experience managing general contractor relationships, negotiating major construction contracts, and delivering projects to cost and schedule objectives

• Experience managing capital project budgets, cost performance, and commercial risk across large infrastructure or mission-critical construction programs

• Strong understanding of data center construction delivery, procurement strategies, contract administration, and commercial delivery models

• Proven ability to lead multiple concurrent projects or portfolios while driving operational performance, schedule, cost, and quality outcomes

• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence executive leadership and cross-functional partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading front-end planning and pre-construction activities for large-scale data center or other high-tech infrastructure projects

• Strong knowledge of global building construction practices, project management processes, and delivery methodologies

• Experience with the design, planning, and delivery of data centers or other mission-critical facilities

• Proven track record overseeing multiple large-scale data center construction projects with capital program responsibility exceeding $100M

• Ability to analyze and evaluate construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and other technical documentation

• Proficiency in construction scheduling, cost estimating, procurement strategy, proposal development, document management, and contract administration

• Experience leading construction contracting and procurement programs across multiple regions or countries

• Demonstrated success leading global or multi-regional teams, including talent development, coaching, mentoring, and organizational capability building

• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive presentation skills with experience collaborating across international organizations