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MEP Manager - Data Center
Company : Gilbane
Location : Columbus, OH, 43215
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 2 January 2026
Overview
Do you consider yourself to be a highly technical, strong communicator with the desire to work in a team environment on complex projects? Gilbane is seeking an MEP Manager to define the MEP execution process, oversees all MEP staff, and works on a data center construction project; may serve as the project manager on projects that are predominantly MEP. This role will sit primarily on the job site, with occasional travel to the office for trainings, meetings, etc.
Who are we?
As a Top-10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family-owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on-time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more!
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Who are you?
You are a coach/leader who leads with an inclusive and empathetic mindset. You provide feedback and guidance to help others excel in their current or future roles. You determine priorities, delegate work, and effectively communicate progress. You establish measures to assess the impact, quality, and timeliness of results while praising successes and sharing lessons learned. You build high performing teams by attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining talented individuals through motivation and discipline to maximize impact on the organization and the individual.
You leverage business insights by understanding industry trends, local market/economic conditions, and Gilbane’s business model to make critical decisions and create competitive advantage. You deploy a strategic mindset when considering solutions to long-term opportunities and risks that may develop in the future.
Your core values match Gilbane’s: Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Toughmindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.
What’s in it for you?
Gilbane offers employees multi-dimensional training opportunities through a number of resources. While managing your responsibilities to projects, you will be able to enroll in trainings through our award-winning Gilbane University to build leadership and technical skills. In addition, you would work with an experienced team which provides you with the opportunity to learn new industry skills every day. You will protect and promote the interests of both Gilbane and the client in all matters as well as demonstrating the personal characteristics of a developing leader.
Responsibilities
- Approves all MEP and Commissioning schedules
- Assists with the preparation of the GMP
- Supervises MEP subcontracting strategies and originates Scopes of Work for MEP bid packages and equipment
- Negotiates pricing and change orders with contractors and equipment manufacturers
- Performs MEP constructability (IDC+) and coordination reviews of contract documents
- Provides guidance and approves the MEP Contractors schedule of values
- Defines best approach for MEP buyout
- Ensures timely and proper execution of the MEP Coordination Process (BIM)
- Creates a project specific MEP quality plan and verifies its proper execution
- Performs site inspections for MEP compliance with contract documents and manages third party inspection process
- Establishes and implements controls to identify and correct negative trends affecting the commissioning program
- Communicates with the owner/owner’s representative on a regular basis to understand expectations and ensure customer satisfaction
- Trains direct reports on processes, procedures, and completion of daily tasks
- Manages the workload and performance of direct reports, ensuring alignment with overall company standards
- Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment to motivate and engage team members
- Aids in communicating company and department strategy to direct reports
- Collaborates closely with business development to ensure seamless integration with sales strategies including performance metrics on your assigned projects, pursuits, and client deliverables. Actively participates in opportunities to strengthen client, partner, and industry relationships that position Gilbane as the “Builder of Choice”
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
- 10-15 years related field MEP experience
- Prior experience on data center construction projects is strongly preferred
- OSHA 30 hour certified
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong scheduling skills with proficiency in scheduling software
- Strong risk management skills
- Ability to manage the quality assurance process for all MEP work
- Ability to create an environment where “safety first” is the culture and all trades people work with an incident and injury free attitude
Gilbane offers an excellent total compensation package which includes competitive health and welfare benefits and a generous profit-sharing/401k plan. We invest in our employees’ education and have built Gilbane University into a top training organization in the construction industry. Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.
Gilbane is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Note to Recruiters, Placement Agencies, and Similar Organizations: Gilbane does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our jobs alias, website, or to any Gilbane employee. Gilbane will not pay fees to any third party agency or firm and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered property of Gilbane and will be processed accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
An MEP Manager in data center projects in Columbus drives critical coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, ensuring uptime and efficiency. Their technical oversight directly influences project timelines and operational reliability, which is vital given the city's growing tech infrastructure demands.
Expertise in electrical and mechanical engineering tailored to high-capacity facilities is crucial. Skills in BIM coordination, commissioning processes, and risk management help navigate the complex systems unique to data centers, ensuring seamless integration and safety compliance.
This role hones leadership in technical project management and team coordination, paving the way toward senior project manager or program director positions. Mastery of data center-specific challenges enhances one’s profile in the booming tech infrastructure sector.
Gilbane emphasizes leadership with an inclusive mindset and invests heavily in employee development through Gilbane University. Their integrated project delivery model and focus on safety and innovation set them apart in managing complex, high-stakes data center projects.
Joining Gilbane offers exposure to large-scale data center projects within a top ENR contractor framework, supported by extensive training and a family-owned culture. Columbus’s tech growth and Gilbane’s values create a dynamic environment for professional and personal growth.
MEP Managers focusing on data center projects in Columbus generally earn between $110,000 and $140,000 annually, reflecting the technical expertise and leadership required to manage complex systems in this expanding market.
Certifications like OSHA 30-hour and professional engineering licenses are highly valued. Local employers also appreciate credentials in BIM and commissioning due to Columbus’s emphasis on safety and cutting-edge construction methods.
Columbus’s expanding data center sector creates a high demand for skilled MEP Managers, but competition remains intense. Demonstrating strong project leadership and technical acumen, especially in data center environments, significantly improves hiring prospects.
Daily hurdles include coordinating intricate MEP schedules, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, and facilitating clear communication across multidisciplinary teams. Problem-solving unexpected technical issues on-site requires agility and deep system knowledge.
Empathy, strategic delegation, and fostering inclusivity stand out. The ability to motivate diverse teams while maintaining rigorous quality and safety standards ensures cohesive progress aligned with Gilbane’s core values and project goals.