Director - Data Centers

Description

The Director of Data Centers is responsible for working with regional leadership teams and the National Data Center Team to implement the data center strategic plan, maximize market share, grow teams focused on data centers through effective sales strategies, and develop the project management and technical team within the business unit. This person can sit in any one of the East Coast offices.

Requirements

The primary responsibilities for the Director, Data Center focus on the overall growth and operation of the data center market throughout the east coast and across the country. Overarching responsibilities include implementing the data center strategic plan, driving organic growth by creating and implementing business development strategies, cross selling across everything Westwood sells (Land, Power, Renewables, Infrastructure), maximizing efficiencies through effective operational management of the business unit, and creating a team of high performers by providing leadership and mentorship to those within the business unit.

Requirements:

Full accountability for overall business unit performance:

• Works with division, national, and regional leadership to develop the data center strategic plan and goals. Implements the plan and achieves the goals.
• Management of business unit Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and achieving business unit performance goals through revenue generation and direct/indirect expense management
• Assist with short- and long-term growth plans for the data center market and services
• Influence annual bill rate, compensation, and performance of the team within the market
• Ensures company policies and procedures are consistently implemented
• Responsible for brand awareness and marketing opportunities within the data center market and office
• Drives growth of Business through Client growth including new clients and accountability of others with client relationships

Proposal/Opportunity/Contracting Responsibilities:

• Responsible for organic revenue growth in the data center market by developing and implementing business development plans and strategies for the business unit
• Directs project proposal efforts including scope, schedule, and fee for data center projects
• Responsible for risk mitigation by supporting contract negotiations with clients and legal counsel
• Identifies opportunities to pursue new data center opportunities and services to increase market share and wallet share
• Identify cross-market and cross-division business development opportunities, including hyperscale, colocation, edge computing, power, substation, and Renewable Generation opportunities

Team Leadership Responsibilities:

• Supports company mission, vision, and values, and promotes a "One Team" culture
• Responsible for team members within the business unit, including team development, mentorship, leadership, team evaluations, and removal of non-performers from their respective areas of responsibility
• Provides leadership, mentoring and empowerment to project managers, service leads, and technical leads in the business unit

Client Management Responsibilities:

• Responsible for organic revenue growth in the data center market by developing and implementing business development and client management plans and strategies for the business unit
• Responsible for managing client relationships with data center stakeholders
• Enhances the client experience by being responsive, providing quality work, and innovative solutions
• Responsible for successful project execution in the business unit, ensuring data center projects meet critical timelines and uptime requirements

Success Measures:

• Growth of National Data Center market
• Financial performance of the respective data center markets and services in accordance with Division KPIs
• Profitability within the business unit
• Accounts receivable/collections
• Work in Progress (WIP) capture and write-offs
• Team utilization
• Employee retention
• Team culture and a positive work environment
• Project delivery performance (on-time, on-budget completion)
• Client satisfaction and repeat business rates

Note: This job description is not to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Extremely organized, initiative-taking, and able to manage multiple priorities well. Able to fulfill their commitments as well as those made by others on their team
• Demonstrates active listening techniques
• Outgoing, friendly, approachable (collaborator)
• Strong and skilled communication skills with conflict management within team members and clients
• Able to convey information clearly and concisely to all stakeholders and are adept at managing any conflicts that may arise, while remaining calm under pressure
• Relevant technical and business expertise, including financial acumen specific to data center development
• Proficient in computer software (Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Project, and other project management tools)
• Competent technical skills required to understand data center infrastructure, including power distribution, cooling systems, network architecture, and redundancy requirements
• Ability to delegate assignments and determine methods and procedures
• Ability to be open to others' ideas and willing to compromise
• Detail-oriented but also flexible enough to be big picture/conceptual
• Capable of envisioning the client's goals and translating them into actionable data center development plans
• Good reputation amongst peers, clients, and agencies
• Able to follow general directions and guidelines for the firm's policies, practices, and procedures

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, or related field; Master's degree preferred
• Professional licensure (PE, PMP, or equivalent) preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in data center development, critical facilities, or mission-critical infrastructure projects
• Deep knowledge of the data center development and consulting business
• Excellent business development skills with proven track record of client acquisition
• Must have insight to the data center market including hyperscale, colocation, edge computing, and enterprise segments
• Previous experience collaborating with data center clients, operators, and technology providers
• Strong client relationships within the data center industry
• Experience in supervising and managing multi-disciplined teams including mechanical, electrical, structural, and IT infrastructure professionals
• Understanding of data center standards and certifications (Uptime Institute Tier standards, LEED, Energy Star, etc.)
• Knowledge of power infrastructure, cooling technologies, network architecture, and security requirements for data centers
• Strong presentation skills paired with the ability to coach and motivate others
• Ability to work within a team and to make independent business decisions

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience with hyperscale data center projects (100+ MW facilities)
• Familiarity with modular and prefabricated data center solutions
• Knowledge of emerging technologies including AI/ML infrastructure, liquid cooling, and renewable energy integration
• Experience with international data center projects
• Proven ability to manage fast-track project schedules
• Professional certifications such as CDCP (Certified Data Centre Professional), CDCS (Certified Data Centre Specialist), or PMP

Working Considerations:

• Location: Office based (in a company office) with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements
• Lifting / Moving / Standing: Typical for a non-physical, office-based role
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required: May be required during site visits to active data center construction sites
• Travel: Regular travel to project sites, client offices, data center facilities, and other company offices (up to 30-40%)

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.

We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.

We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.

We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2024, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #13 and #40, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood one national 1st place award for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #83 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2024. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.