Senior Project Manager - Data Center

McAdams is a full-service land planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation, and geomatics firm located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. We seek to partner with our clients to create meaningful experiences through inspired design. Our employees are what make McAdams different. We bring experiences to the forefront of everything we do, and to do that takes special people.

Position Overview 

McAdams is looking for a seasoned Senior Project Manager with deep expertise in data center site development to lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects from early feasibility through design and construction support. This is a high-impact role for a leader who can blend technical excellence, project delivery, and market growth—driving results for premier clients while helping scale McAdams’ expanding Data Center practice. 

At McAdams, we invest in growth-minded leaders who are eager to build, innovate, and elevate those around them. You will have the autonomy to shape strategy, influence market direction, and expand capabilities—supported by a collaborative leadership team, robust internal resources, and a strong platform for long-term career development. This is an opportunity for a leader who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, values continuous improvement, and is motivated by creating lasting impact in the communities we serve. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead site/civil design for data centers and other complex developments, including institutional, commercial, and mixed-use projects. 


• Direct all phases of design—site layout, grading, drainage, utilities/infrastructure, and erosion & sediment control—from concept through completion. 


• Manage budgets, schedules, risk, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with client expectations and McAdams’ performance standards. 


• Prepare and/or review technical deliverables, including feasibility studies, stormwater management plans, utility reports, specifications, and related documentation. 


• Build trusted client partnerships and proactively identify new opportunities—especially within the hyperscale and colocation data center market 


• Lead permitting efforts, working with local agencies and municipalities to ensure timely approvals and compliance with applicable regulations. Address agency comments and facilitate site permitting processes.


• Support proposal development, interviews, and strategic growth initiatives to expand market presence. 


• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture. 


• Perform additional responsibilities as needed in support of project and firm success. 

Skills + Experience  

• Four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or related field required EI required; PE or on track to obtain PE strongly preferred  


• Demonstrated success delivering hyperscale and colocation data center projects, from early planning and pre-design through detailed design and construction support. 


• 10+ years of site/civil engineering experience, including a strong data center portfolio. 


• Energized by traveling to build the practices and advance projects. 


• Strong working knowledge of local land use regulations, entitlement, and permitting processes. 


• Excellent client-facing communication, relationship management, and business development capabilities. 


• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D. 


• Expertise in stormwater management, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, and SWPPP compliance. 


• Exceptional technical writing and presentation skills. 


• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development experience. 


• Professional organization involvement.

Work Environment + Physical Demands 

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. 

• Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, however when conducting field work, exposure to outside environmental conditions should be expected.  


• Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion.  


• Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time. 


• Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally. When working in the field, the need to carry, lift and push/pull up to 50 or higher pounds may occur.  


• Field based work will involve long-term standing and frequent walking as well as include common hazards encountered while maneuvering through project sites.  


• Must have the ability to see, smell, hear, talk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel and twist, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, sit, stand, and walk.  


• Additional physical duties may be required as necessary. 

Advancement Opportunities  

This role offers the opportunity to deepen your expertise in large-scale data center development, lead complex infrastructure projects, and strengthen client partnerships in a rapidly growing sector. You’ll play a key role in shaping how our mission-critical facilities and site development services evolve. While the next step beyond this position isn’t fixed, we’re committed to working with you to ensure your career at McAdams remains rewarding and aligned with your long-term professional goals.

McAdams is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status, or any other legally protected status.

If you need assistance with our online application system process, please contact the Human Resources Team at 919.361.5000 or [email protected]. 

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