Position Title: Senior Project Manager I
Position Location: Remote. Location varies by assignment. Up to 50% travel across the U.S. Must be located near
a major U.S. airport.
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Project Manager I provides hands-on execution leadership and day-to-day ownership of assigned scope
across one or more mission-critical construction projects, with a primary focus on financial project and portfolio
management. Serving as the day-to-day owner of budget, forecasting, financial performance, schedule, quality,
and risk activities, this role works under the direction of and in close partnership with the Program Manager. The
Senior Project Manager I coordinates directly with Construction Managers across Quality, MEP, Design, Cx, and
General Construction disciplines, ensuring project execution remains aligned with program objectives, financial
targets, client expectations, and organizational standards.
The Senior Project Manager I supports project and portfolio-level financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, cost
management, commercial tracking, change management, contract administration, client relationship management,
and risk management. The position develops and maintains the financial visibility necessary to identify trends,
forecast outcomes, evaluate cost exposure, support mitigation strategies, and provide leadership with timely, data
driven information for decision-making. Experience supporting hyperscale data center construction programs is
preferred.
This position reinforces consistency across project controls and financial management practices while supporting
quality assurance execution and helping ensure project delivery aligns with DLB’s mission-critical expectations for
operability, reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance. The Senior Project Manager I progressively
assumes greater program and portfolio-level responsibility and is developed as a pipeline candidate for
advancement into the Program Manager role.
The Senior Project Manager I is largely self-directed on day-to-day tasks and receives regular guidance and
direction from the Program Manager on new projects, priorities, or assignments. Will execute and lead teams and
projects, tasks, or assignments of moderate to complex scope, with independence increasing as competency is
demonstrated. May coordinate activities of other personnel.
The Senior Project Manager I will communicate and operate in line with organizational and client goals and values,
as well as departmental objectives, escalating and coordinating with the Program Manager as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Support the Program Manager in translating organizational, client, program, and financial goals into executable plans for assigned project(s).
- Lead multi-disciplinary project teams and coordinate day-to-day with Construction Managers across Cx,
- Operate within approved program execution frameworks, reporting standards, financial controls, quality controls, and risk management strategies established by the Program Manager and portfolio leadership.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of program and financial management methodologies, tools, controls, and documentation under the Program Manager’s direction.
- Track project and portfolio-level KPIs, forecasting, financial performance, and delivery metrics and report findings, trends, risks, and opportunities to the Program Manager.
- Support development, maintenance, and execution of project budgets, forecasts, cash-flow projections, and financial plans across assigned projects.
- Monitor actual and forecasted financial performance against approved budgets, commitments, contracts, and project objectives.
- Consolidate project-level financial information to support portfolio-level reporting, forecasting, trend analysis, and management decision-making.
- Identify emerging cost risks, forecast variances, financial trends, and potential budget impacts and develop recommendations for mitigation in coordination with project and program leadership.
- Maintain visibility into commitments, expenditures, forecast-at-completion, change exposure, contingency utilization, and other key financial indicators.
- Support periodic financial reviews and provide clear, accurate analyses explaining project and portfolio performance, variances, risks, and forecast changes.
- Coordinate with project teams, contractors, vendors, client stakeholders, and internal business functions to validate financial information and maintain consistent reporting.
- Support financial scenario analysis and evaluate potential cost impacts associated with schedule changes, scope changes, procurement decisions, project risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Assist the Program Manager with financial stewardship of assigned projects and progressively assume greater responsibility for portfolio-level financial planning, controls, and reporting. Client Relations & Communication Support
- Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for client stakeholders on assigned project(s), maintaining delivery confidence and proactively managing financial, commercial, schedule, and delivery risks in coordination with the Program Manager.
- Build strong client relationships through proactive communication, strategic guidance, transparent reporting, and reliable financial information.
- Support high-impact issue resolution efforts and facilitate alignment across internal and external stakeholders.
- Escalate financial risks, performance concerns, forecast deviations, and client issues to the Program Manager in accordance with defined escalation thresholds.
- Support business development efforts, proposals, client initiatives, and financial evaluations as directed by the Program Manager.
- Oversee planning and integration activities across design, construction, commissioning, operations, and quality disciplines.
- Ensure program-level procedures, risk controls, MOP/SOP/EOP considerations, and readiness criteria are properly implemented.
- Support cross-disciplinary coordination to ensure installation quality, system readiness, lifecycle standards, and project objectives are met.
- Understand the relationship between construction progress, procurement, schedule performance, commissioning readiness, and project financial outcomes, particularly within large-scale mission-critical and hyperscale data center environments.
- Support execution of project budgets, financial tracking, forecasting, and cost mitigation, subject to review and accountability oversight by the Program Manager.
- Support contract development, commercial evaluations, evaluation of change requests, and claims mitigation strategies.
- Review financial impacts associated with changes, risks, schedule conditions, procurement decisions, and contractor performance.
- Support tracking and reconciliation of project commitments, change activity, contingency, and forecasted cost exposure.
- Ensure project and program decisions align with financial objectives and operational priorities.
- Produce project and portfolio-level dashboards, financial reports, KPIs, forecasts, variance analyses, and performance analyses for the Program Manager’s review.
- Maintain strong document control standards across all program workstreams.
- Maintain accurate, traceable, and timely financial information to support project governance and client reporting.
- Utilize digital tools, analytics, and AI-enabled forecasting to enhance program visibility, financial controls, reporting accuracy, and performance.
- Technology, Digital Tools & AI-Enabled Efficiency
- Identify opportunities and lead the strategic use of technology, digital platforms, and AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency through workflow automation, reduced manual effort, and improved accuracy in forecasting, documentation, reporting, financial controls, and quality processes.
- Support adoption of emerging technologies, including advanced analytics, data visualization tools, and digital construction management platforms, to strengthen financial visibility, readiness, quality assurance, and project controls.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure technology solutions align with DLB standards for data security, privacy, and operational integrity.
- Promote a culture that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and the strategic use of technology to optimize performance and scalability.
- Work directly with the Program Manager to progressively take on greater program and portfolio-level responsibilities in alignment with DLB’s program management growth and succession pipeline.
- Shadow and support the Program Manager in client executive engagement, program governance, financial stewardship, forecasting, and portfolio performance activities to build readiness for advancement.
- Participate in mentoring and performance feedback discussions with the Program Manager to support development toward the Program Manager role.
Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget
Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned
POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ADVANCED level for all the following)
- Strong working knowledge of project and portfolio financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, variance analysis, financial reporting, and cost mitigation.
- Knowledge of industry trends, project management and construction procedures, financial controls, and best
- practices for mission-critical project delivery.
- Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction of mission-critical commercial
- buildings or other structures.
- Knowledge of the importance of the Method of Procedure (MOP) process, work notifications, operational risk
- controls, and their potential impacts on project execution, schedule, and cost.
- Demonstrated leadership experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) policies and procedures, including NFPA 70E, LOTO, and OSHA standards.
- Skilled in financial analysis, project forecasting, cost management, KPI development, and communicating financial performance to project and program stakeholders.
- Skilled in identifying financial and project risks, evaluating complex issues, identifying trends, and developing data-driven recommendations.
- Skilled in stakeholder management and representing the owner with professionalism when interacting with contractors, designers, clients, and other project stakeholders.
- Skilled in clear, concise communication with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Skilled in managing project schedules, financial controls, reporting requirements, and activities across multiple stakeholders.
- Skilled in construction and project management tools such as Procore, BIM 360/ACC, and Bluebeam.
- Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), with advanced Excel capabilities preferred, along with exceptional organizational skills for file management.
- Ability to develop, analyze, and communicate project and portfolio financial information, forecasts, reports, dashboards, and correspondence.
- Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, improve forecasting and reporting, and contribute to company-wide innovation.
- Ability to work independently with high-level instruction on new projects, tasks, or assignments.
- Ability to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified financial, commercial, schedule, and project delivery issues.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure to meet close deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with onsite and remote team members.
- Hyperscale data center or comparable large-scale mission-critical construction experience preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following physical demands must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of
this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:
- Frequently manipulating small parts/tools.
- Frequently required to remain in a stationary position.
- Frequently moving through data center and outdoor environments (heat, cold, precipitation), including navigating tight spaces, accessing areas via stairs or ladders, and occasionally working in overhead or underequipment positions.
- On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to rent vehicles.
- Remote position with up to 50% travel across the U.S. based on project and client requirements.
- Must be located near a major U.S. airport.
- Effective May 7, 2025, and in accordance with U.S. federal regulations for domestic air travel, a valid REAL ID (or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport) is required for travel associated with this position.
- Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.
- Travel may involve transportation by car or plane depending on the destination and nature of the business needs.
CERTIFICATIONS & SAFETY
• Ability to complete OSHA 30 Hour Training for Construction as well as NFPA 70E as required; strict adherence
to HSE/LOTO policies.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business, finance, or related discipline.
OR
• Two years of relevant hands-on construction, project controls, financial project management, or mission-critical
infrastructure experience.
PLUS
• Minimum of eight years of additional related experience, including progressive experience in project
management, construction management, project controls, financial management, or portfolio management.
• Hyperscale data center or comparable large-scale mission-critical construction experience preferred.
Benefits
DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include
- Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
- Flex spending accounts (FSA)
- Dental and vision plans
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
- 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
- PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
- Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
- Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
- Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
- Paid parental leave after one year of employment
CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.
DLB Associates is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and participates in the E-Verify program with the Department of Homeland Security. We encourage diversity in our workforce.
Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.