Commissioning Manager at OVERWATCH in Lima, OH

About Overwatch Mission Critical

Overwatch is a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOB) certified through the National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC), offering construction professional services, talent acquisition, and general contractor services for the mission-critical infrastructure industry.

Our mission is the construction and management of state-of-the-art data centers with the precision and reliability this industry demands. From high-end engineers to seasoned professionals, we deploy the people you need to get your data center off the ground. At Overwatch, it's more than a job — it's purpose.

Commissioning Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced Commissioning Project Manager to join our team. This role is essential to ensuring that large-scale technical infrastructure projects—especially data centers—are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

The Commissioning Project Manager will own the project lifecycle from design through commissioning and turnover, serving as a critical liaison between stakeholders and ensuring alignment with Owner goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as an extension of the Owner’s project team, providing direct project oversight and issue resolution across all project phases.
• Maintain full understanding of project objectives, business needs, technical requirements, and operational impacts.
• Foster strong working relationships with architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants to drive alignment.

Design and Preconstruction Coordination

• Review and validate Owner’s project requirements throughout Basis of Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Document phases.
• Provide input on constructability, commissioning sequencing, operational readiness, material availability, cost impacts, and schedule risks.
• Partner with permitting and compliance teams to track local authority requirements and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained.

Construction and Commissioning Oversight

• Monitor contractor performance regarding safety, schedule, and quality standards.
• Support administration of safety plans and promote a proactive site safety culture.
• Facilitate resolution of construction challenges and ensure seamless coordination between disciplines.
• Lead Owner-side commissioning activities, tracking progress and resolving field deficiencies as they arise.

Schedule and Budget Management Support

• Coordinate field-level information with centralized cost and schedule teams.
• Audit contractor schedule submissions (P6 or equivalent), validating alignment with major project milestones and critical path activities.
• Identify and escalate potential schedule risks while proposing corrective actions.

Procurement and Contract Management

• Support procurement of key consultants, vendors, and contractors aligned with Owner’s contracting principles and technical requirements.
• Assist in subcontractor selection processes, including bid leveling, scope review, and award recommendations.
• Review and validate vendor and contractor compliance with Owner standards through the contracting lifecycle.

Reporting and Risk Management

• Maintain active project tracking tools including:
  • Action Item Log (accountability tracking)
  • Procurement Log (material and equipment tracking)
  • Milestone Tracking Log (critical deliverable management).
• Conduct routine project risk reviews and maintain a live risk register.
• Deliver bi-monthly management reports summarizing design status, budget position, milestone achievement, procurement updates, and emerging risks.

Project Integration and Turnover Readiness

• Integrate operations teams into construction activities at appropriate milestones to support long-term operational goals.
• Coordinate Owner’s commissioning process, including vendor engagement, system readiness reviews, and punchlist resolution tracking.
• Ensure turnover documentation and operational transition plans are completed prior to substantial completion.

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and Utility Coordination

• Assist with tracking and coordination of permitting and utility services for successful project delivery.
• Document AHJ requirements and facilitate alignment with construction and design teams.

Test, Inspection, and Quality Management

• Facilitate sourcing of third-party inspection and testing services as required.
• Review inspection reports and assist with addressing nonconformance findings or deficiencies during construction.

Submittal and RFI Management Support

• Monitor contractor submittals and RFIs to maintain responsiveness within agreed timeframes.
• Track and escalate overdue or critical submittal and RFI items impacting schedule or quality.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in construction management, commissioning, or related roles (Mission-critical experience preferred).
• Strong understanding of design, procurement, and field execution workflows.
• Proven success managing complex projects as an Owner’s Representative.
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling software (Primavera P6 preferred).
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with AHJ permitting, safety auditing, and budget reconciliation is a plus.

Preferred Traits

• Proactive problem-solver with a high sense of ownership.
• Comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Skilled at converting field-level data into executive-level insights.

Driver’s License Requirement:

For roles that require on-site presence or travel between work locations as an essential function of the position, candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license appropriate for the role and be eligible to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.

Communication Skills:

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment, including preparing written reports and documentation, conveying information clearly to team members, clients, and stakeholders, and responding appropriately to verbal and written communications related to job duties.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an active data center construction environment, encompassing both indoor and outdoor work settings. The role requires the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively in a dynamic environment that includes ongoing construction activity and evolving site conditions.

The work environment includes areas and temporary structures owned, leased, or controlled by third parties over which Overwatch may have limited or no control. Because the project remains under construction, certain areas of the site — including access routes, staging zones, and temporary structures — may not yet be fully ADA-compliant until construction is complete or those third-party areas are finalized.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods while navigating uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to drive between job sites and access all areas of an active construction zone, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, and construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, and site personnel, and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots, is required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage, and to observe site activity.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in and around active construction areas, which may include unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. These locations may contain uneven surfaces, limited accessibility, and other conditions typical of construction projects prior to final completion. Overwatch does not control and cannot modify accessibility conditions within areas, facilities, or temporary structures owned or managed by third parties.

Reasonable Accommodation:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, provided such accommodations do not create safety hazards, impede essential mobility within active work zones, or require modification of facilities not owned or controlled by Overwatch.

Benefits:

Overwatch Construction offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off. Relocation assistance is available to support candidates transitioning to the location.

OVERWATCH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OVERWATCH considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.