Construction Manager – Substation Construction (Data Center Projects)

Department: Construction / Field Operations

Location: Cincinnati Ohio, On-site, with up to 75% travel to project sites

Role Type: Full-Time

About Our Client

Our client is a leader in delivering mission-critical power infrastructure, specializing in high-voltage substation construction that supports hyperscale and enterprise data center developments. With a strong presence across utility, transmission, and EPC construction markets, the company partners with major utility providers and data center developers to build the electrical backbone of tomorrow's digital infrastructure. Their teams are known for technical excellence, safety-first culture, and a commitment to delivering complex greenfield and brownfield projects on time and on budget.

Job Description

The Construction Manager will be responsible for the safe, timely, and successful execution of high-voltage substation construction projects supporting hyperscale and enterprise data center developments. This individual will oversee all field construction activities, manage subcontractors and vendors, and coordinate closely with utility companies and EPC partners to ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience managing greenfield and brownfield substation construction projects, with a strong understanding of utility interconnections, transmission infrastructure, and mission-critical environments. This role reports to senior project leadership and will directly manage Superintendents, Foremen, and Field Engineers while mentoring Project Engineers and Project Coordinators.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all on-site construction activities for high-voltage substation projects supporting data center developments.
• Manage day-to-day field operations, subcontractors, superintendents, and craft labor.
• Develop and execute construction work plans aligned with project schedules and client expectations.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Project Engineers, engineering teams, utilities, commissioning teams, and owners.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety programs, and client-specific safety requirements.
• Conduct daily site walks, safety meetings, toolbox talks, and progress meetings.
• Monitor construction schedules and identify risks that could impact project milestones.
• Coordinate equipment deliveries, material staging, and site logistics.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, and change orders.
• Manage subcontractor performance, productivity, and contract compliance.
• Track labor hours, production rates, project costs, and forecasting.
• Coordinate utility outages, energization activities, and commissioning efforts.
• Support startup, testing, commissioning, and project turnover activities.
• Provide weekly project updates, cost reports, and schedule reports to leadership and clients.

Required Experience/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent construction management experience.
• 8+ years of experience managing electrical construction projects.
• 5+ years of experience managing high-voltage substation construction projects (69kV–500kV preferred).
• Experience delivering utility infrastructure or EPC construction projects.
• Proven experience managing multiple subcontractors and field teams.
• Strong understanding of construction scheduling and project controls.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, one-line diagrams, and technical specifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 75% based on project needs.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience supporting hyperscale or mission-critical data center developments.
• Experience with utility interconnections and transmission infrastructure.
• Knowledge of commissioning and startup procedures for substations.
• OSHA 30 Certification.
• First Aid/CPR Certification.
• PMP certification.
• Experience working with union and non-union labor environments.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Bluebeam Revu, and Oracle Primavera Unifier.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent construction management experience will also be considered.

Call-to-Action

Ready to lead mission-critical construction projects that power the future of data infrastructure? Apply now!

Keywords: Construction Manager | Substation Construction | High-Voltage | Data Center Construction | EPC | Utility Interconnection | Transmission Infrastructure | Commissioning