Sr Project Executive - Data Center
Company : Gilbane
Location : Houston, TX, 77002
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 3 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 a Senior Project Executive - Data Center to lead multiple projects teams simultaneously, guiding the overall direction, completion, and financial outcome of complex construction projects. 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
- Assumes overall accountability for jobsite safety
- Assumes overall accountability for meeting contract requirements
- Verifies the accuracy of project financial forecast, notice provisions, and billings to meet contract requirements and resolve potential claims and deviations
- Ensures team creates a project-specific quality plan aligned with the owner contract and contract documents
- Ensures a team creates a closeout plan in alignment with the contract documents
- Provides leadership in motivating the project team(s) and maintain a positive work environment
- Directs and supervises work of project administration, project superintendents, and engineers to establish operational priorities and maintain satisfactory relationships with owners, subcontractors, unions, etc.
- Assumes overall accountability of subcontracting strategy and the integrity of the buyout process on all projects
- Negotiate all aspects of contracts, lead implementation of risk mitigation plan, final review of draft contracts, agreements, and purchase orders
- Assumes overall accountability to ensure project compliance with the insurance and bonds
- Manages the design phase of a GMP or design build project; leads and oversees the development of GMP/ lump sum submission
- Oversees schedule planning and execution of multiple projects; accountable for the management of schedule risks that lead to erosion and provides guidance in strategies and actions to prevent risk
- Develops a comprehensive understanding of the local market areas and profiles to create and lead a networking strategy
- Partners with business development to ensure seamless integration with sales strategies, client capture plans and account plans. Optimizes profit levers and gross profit margin tactics to achieve performance targets on new sales. Leads opportunities to strengthen client, partner, and industry relationships that help position Gilbane as the ”Builder of Choice”
- Responsible for the career development and coaching of team members
- Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment to motivate and engage team members
- Interprets and translates the organizational strategy, ensuring team understanding of their role in accomplishing strategic goals
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or Construction Management
- 12-18 years of experience
- Hyperscale data center experience is required
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong technical and communication skills are critical
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Leadership and management skills
- Knowledge of industry standard software Microsoft Office (preferred)
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
In Houston's competitive construction market, certifications like PMP, LEED AP, or Data Center Certified Professional (DCCP) can significantly boost your profile. These credentials demonstrate expertise in project management and sustainability, which are highly valued for senior roles managing complex data center builds.
Houston's booming tech and energy sectors drive strong demand for experienced data center project executives. Compared to coastal tech hubs, Houston offers robust opportunities with slightly less competition, making it a strategic location for seasoned professionals seeking impactful leadership roles in data center construction.
Success hinges on the ability to coordinate multifaceted teams, negotiate complex contracts, and drive project financial outcomes. A Sr Project Executive must excel in strategic risk management and foster inclusive team dynamics, especially within the high-stakes environment of hyperscale data center projects.
Unlike general project managers, this role demands deep expertise in data center infrastructure, including hyperscale environments. It involves overseeing multiple simultaneous projects with intricate technical and financial challenges, requiring advanced leadership and industry-specific knowledge.
Professionals often progress to executive roles like Director of Construction or VP of Data Center Operations. Mastery in managing complex, large-scale projects and building strong client relationships opens doors to higher strategic leadership within construction and technology-focused organizations.
Gilbane emphasizes integrity, teamwork, and discipline, shaping a leadership style focused on empathy and inclusion. Executives are encouraged to foster positive environments, mentoring teams while upholding high standards in safety and project excellence, aligning with the company's family-owned values.
At Gilbane, beyond technical leadership, there's a strong focus on career development and leveraging local market insights. Executives are tasked with integrating business development strategies and promoting a collaborative culture, distinguishing the role from typical project leadership positions.
Senior project executives in Houston overseeing data center construction can expect salaries ranging from $130,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience and project scope. This range reflects the high demand for specialized skills in managing complex hyperscale data center initiatives.
Daily tasks include supervising safety protocols, steering project financials, coordinating subcontractors, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The role demands constant communication across teams and stakeholders to maintain schedules and quality in hyperscale data center construction.
Houston’s dynamic economy and diverse labor market require executives to tailor subcontracting strategies and networking efforts carefully. Understanding local regulations and leveraging connections can mitigate risks and optimize project delivery timelines in this region.