Campus Director - Build

Applied Digital

• $125K — $150K *
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years managing large-scale data center design and construction projects
  • Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams including construction and engineering
  • Experience overseeing full project lifecycle from site readiness to operations hand-off
  • Strong knowledge of critical systems like electrical and mechanical
  • Experience managing large capital budgets and contractor relationships
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects across a campus
  • Expertise in construction safety standards and compliance

Responsibilities

  • Establish baseline construction schedules and coordinate with contractual dates
  • Assist in maintaining overall project budget and cost reporting
  • Lead solicitation and selection of general contractors and subcontractors
  • Develop organizational chart and management plan for construction delivery
  • Establish quality control and EHS practices for construction activities
  • Build local relationships with community officials for project transparency
  • Lead logistics planning for construction access and public road improvements
  • Assist legal team with development agreements and construction contracts

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead a multi-billion-dollar project
  • Engagement with community and local stakeholders
  • Collaboration with a diverse team of professionals
  • Potential for career advancement in a growing company
  • Involvement in innovative AI and digital infrastructure projects
Full Job Description
Position Summary:

As the Campus Director - Build you have overall responsibility for the delivery of the AI Factory campus for Applied Digital. This is not simply a construction role it is the integration of key aspects of the development of the campus that will lead to the success of the project. While the role does focus on execution of multi-billion-dollar projects, other components are integration with safety, community affairs, legal, finance, procurement, utility providers, execution management, and operations. The conductor of a large orchestra with ultimate responsibility for the delivery of the campus.

Key Responsibilities:

Construction:
  • Establish baseline construction schedules to coordinate with contractual RFS dates, including L3/L4/L5 Milestones, early access requirements, Equipment ROJ Dates. Ensure contractual dates are established and coordinated amongst all Applied Digital departments.
  • Assist Director of Project Management Operations team in establishing and maintaining overall project budget (Total Cost Report)
  • Lead/Assist SVP of Construction Procurement in solicitation and selection of GC(s), and primary subcontractors. Vet and prepare recommendations for Applied Digital Leadership review and authorization.
  • Lead/Assist SVP of Construction Procurement in LNTP and AIA contracting strategy. Ensure alignment with Applied Digital Leadership timelines and risk mitigation efforts.
  • Lead/Assist SVP of Construction Procurement in GMP negotiations and vetting for final approval.
  • Develop Construction Applied Digital's execution team organizational chart and management plan for campus construction delivery success. Assist in recruiting and hiring efforts where needed.
  • Lead overall construction contracts and scope of performance for all project construction operations. This includes management of GC contract executions, Tenant Fit Out efforts, and external campus work, all the while ensuring Applied Digital obligations are met and coordination between multiple prime contractors and projects is executed with excellence.
  • Establish and maintain quality control practices for campus construction activities.
  • Establish and maintain EHS practices for campus construction activities.
  • Establish project controls and reporting metrics to align with Applied Digital Leadership reporting requirements, ensuring complete and efficient project updates and governance efforts.

Community:
  • Establish local relationships with Municipality, Inspections, County Officials, and other key community members to build point of trust and transparency on the technical execution of the project during construction.
  • Assist Applied Digital External Affairs team with presentations, community outreach, project tours, and other external audience opportunities.
  • Have keen understanding of the community impact stress points and ensure that construction operations are aligned, and continually maintained, to alleviate stress points.

Utility:
  • Assist power procurement team to establish and coordinate interphase between project construction operations and development of utility required infrastructure. Establish need-by dates and ensure alignment with construction needs.
  • Lead project management effort for Applied Digital team, ensuring coordination effort with utility provider aligns with overall project requirements.
  • Lead coordination effort between Utility Project(s) and Construction projects, aligning logistics, safety, schedule and security requirements.

Planning:
  • Lead and develop Logistics Planning efforts for campus development efforts - including construction access planning, public roads improvements, worker accommodations (housing, food services, parking, etc.), or other construction operations efforts.
  • Lead/Assist the Director of Design, Land and External Affairs teams in permitting strategy and execution, aligning with project needs. This includes environmental due diligence, zoning and regulatory, construction and operational required efforts.
  • Coordination with local municipalities on utilities coordination, road/traffic improvements, etc.

Legal:
  • Assist/manage Applied Digital Legal Team, acting as technical expert and project representative for required development agreements, construction contracts, utilities agreements, tenant negotiations, or other project specific legal agreements.

Project Team Development:
  • Lead Applied Digital Campus execution team. This will include regular team reporting, coordination and management of a team up to 10+ people, including superintendents, project managers, safety professionals, external affairs, and others and necessary.
  • Lead Applied Digital Campus execution team in alignment with, and as a champion for, the goals and values of Applied Digital.


Basic Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience managing large-scale data center design, construction, or critical infrastructure programs.
  • Proven leadership overseeing multi-disciplinary teams (construction, commissioning, safety, vendor management, engineering).
  • Experience managing full project lifecycle for data center builds-from site readiness through commissioning and hand-off to operations.
  • Strong knowledge of critical systems (electrical, mechanical, BMS/EPMS, cooling, UPS, generators).
  • Experience managing large capital budgets and vendor/contractor relationships.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects across a campus or multi-facility environment.
  • Expertise in construction safety standards and compliance practices.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with hyperscale data center builds.
  • Master's degree in engineering, project management, or business.
  • PMP, PE, or other relevant certifications (e.g., LEED, Data Center design certifications).

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