Vice President of Construction Operations-Mission Critical

Job Description:

The Vice President of Construction is a senior leadership role responsible for the overall construction function of the sector, ensuring best practices of integrated project delivery. Individual project sizes range from $100M to $1B+ with team ranging from 5 - 60 Ryan team members. This position reports to the EVP - Mission Critical Sector and partners with other Operations leaders on best practices and Business Development leaders to win work. Supervises a share of construction project management and field operations for the sector.

Strategic Leadership & Market Focus

• Defines and executes the long-term vision and strategy for the Mission Critical Sector with a specialized focus on hyperscale, colocation, and build-to-suit (BTS) client needs.

• Drives market expansion and technical specialties in key regions (SouthEast, SouthCentral, Great Lakes, and North), positioning the company as a leader in data center construction.

• Owns and manages P&L for the Mission Critical construction sector, ensuring financial discipline and profitability across the project portfolio.

Client Partnership & Delivery Excellence

• Acts as a true partner to clients, guiding them from initial design and site selection through construction, power delivery, commissioning, and operational handover.

• Develops and implements standardized playbooks and best practices for hyperscale, colocation, and BTS projects to ensure consistency, quality, and speed-to-market.

• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with key customers, design partners, critical equipment vendors, and trade partners.

Technical & Operational Innovation

• Champions innovation in construction delivery models, including prefabrication, modular construction, and advanced technologies (VDC, BIM, ERP) to optimize cost, quality, and project timelines.

• Oversees the continuous improvement of core construction systems, with a focus on enhancing speed, safety, and efficiency to meet the aggressive timelines required by data center clients.

• Drives a culture of continuous learning and quality assurance, ensuring the team is at the forefront of data center construction trends, including advanced power and cooling solutions, sustainability practices, and global supply chain management.

Team & Cultural Leadership

• Builds and mentors a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team with deep expertise in mission-critical project management and field operations.

• Leads succession planning to develop the next generation of leaders in project management and field supervision for the Mission Critical sector.

• Sets and monitors workforce standards and KPIs (e.g., revenue per PM, project-to-PM ratios) to ensure efficient resource allocation and project delivery.

• Serves as a cultural leader, both internally and externally, embodying Ryan's mission and values and taking an active role in the external construction and mission-critical communities.

Some things you can expect to do:

• Exceptional executive-level communication skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus among a wide range of stakeholders, from C-suite executives and clients to field-level personnel.

• Proven ability to build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team, with a focus on accountability, development, and creating a culture of excellence.

• A strategic mindset with the financial acumen to manage P&L for a major business sector and drive profitable growth.

• Adept at navigating a collaborative, matrix-style organizational structure and fostering strong partnerships across internal divisions like Development and Preconstruction.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field. An advanced degree is a plus.

• Unwavering commitment to safety, integrity, and quality, with a customer-centric approach and the ability to thrive in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment.

• Full alignment with and a commitment to championing our company Values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Stewardship, Family, Excellence, and Fun.

Job Specific Requirements:

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive construction experience, with at least 10 years in a leadership role directly overseeing Mission Critical/Data Center projects.

• Direct experience with Hyperscale, Co-location, and/or enterprise Build-to-Suit (BTS) data center projects is required.

• Proven track record of successfully managing a portfolio of large-scale, complex, fast-track construction projects, preferably valued at $100M or more.

• Deep expertise in the full lifecycle of data center construction, from pre-construction and design-build collaboration to commissioning (Cx) and handover.

• Advanced knowledge of data center-specific challenges, including MEP-heavy systems, long-lead equipment procurement, global supply chain logistics, and Level 1-5 commissioning processes.

• Demonstrated experience leading construction operations across multiple geographic regions, with a strong understanding of both union and open-shop labor environments.

• Regular overnight travel expected to project sites and client visits.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Builds trusting and productive relationships. (Maximizes Relationships)

• Supports and collaborates with others. (Cultivates Teamwork)

• Draws on self and interpersonal awareness to navigate people and situations. (Manages Impact)

• Pursues customer input and feedback and adapts accordingly. (Customer Centricity)

RESULTS

• Maintains perseverance in the face of obstacles. (Demonstrates Resilience)

• Persistent in working through tasks and following through on obligations. (Executes Work)

• Sets and tracks ambitious goals and strives for excellence. (Drives Results)

INSIGHTS

• Thinks deeply and broadly to identify opportunities. (Thinks Strategically)

• Identifies solutions and finds a way forward when faced with new and unfamiliar situations. (Navigates Ambiguity)

• Thinks through problems and leverages relevant information to draw conclusions. (Solves Problems)

LEADERSHIP

• Models a willingness to take risks and do things differently. (Pursues Change)

• Communicates thoughts and feelings in an authentic, genuine, and expressive manner. (Displays Courage)

• Makes decisions and provides direction to and/or influence on others. (Directs Others)

• Provides coaching and supports the development of individuals and teams to maximize performance and growth. (Develops Talent)

VALUING DIFFERENCES

• Seeks to understand the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. (Empathy)

• Recognizes own biases and blind spots, making an effort to mitigate their impact. (Self Awareness)

• Incorporates others' diverse experiences, styles, backgrounds and perspectives to get results. (Inclusive Mindset)

Eligibility:

Position requires verification of employment to work in the U.S.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary

• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits

• Retirement and Savings Benefits

• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Life Insurance

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• Educational Assistance

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs

• Parenting Benefits

• Employee Discount Programs

• Pet insurance

• Ryan Foundation - charitable matching funds

• Paid Time for Volunteer Events

Disclaimer: Eligibility may vary based on factors such as role, hours worked, employment status, length of service, location, and other considerations. Detailed information will be shared with eligible candidates during the hiring process, and the official terms and conditions will be outlined in each individual offer document.

Ryan Companies is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Non-Solicitation Notice to Recruitment Agencies:

Ryan Companies kindly requests that recruitment agencies and third-party recruiters do not submit unsolicited resumes or candidate information to any Ryan Companies employee or office. Ryan Companies will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited submissions. If recruitment services are required, we will reach out directly to agencies on our approved vendor list. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.