White Space Fit Out Manager at Overwatch Mission Critical – Chicago, Illinois

About Overwatch ConstructionOverwatch 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 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.
Key Responsibilities

• Escalation: The #1 priority for the Sr CM is to escalate issues to the team without delay. It is not the Sr CM’s responsibility to resolve issues but rather, to keep the team fully aware and informed of issues – potential or real – so that they can resolve them.
• Payment Applications: Review General Contractor pay applications for accuracy and completeness before sending to the team. Use the Infrastructure Trackers to help confirm that the level of completion matches the amounts being billed.
• Change Orders: Review change order requests for accuracy and completeness before sending to the team. Ensure associated RFI documents and other supporting information is provided and ensure the scope and justification for the change order request is clear to the team. Escalate change orders that are more than 30 days old to the team.

*NOTE: The team should never be surprised by a change order. The Sr CM is responsible for keeping the team apprised of any issues, RFIs, discussions that may lead to a change order request.

• Track OFCI equipment deliveries against need by dates and escalate issues.
• Daily review of Daily Logs, Photos and Infrastructure Trackers to remain aware of current state of issues, trade progress, potential risk items. These daily reviews will support your other responsibilities such as change order log updates, monthly review of pay applications, risk exposure log updates, etc.
• Meet with the CM every day.
• Discuss the day’s activities and trade progress.

Facilitate Video Conference calls with the Architect and Engineer to:

• Answer contractor questions (RFI) and reduce the number of formal RFIs that need to be submitted. (Confirming RFIs may be warranted to document outcomes of RFI videoconference calls).
• Discuss open submittals to support Architect and Engineer reviews.
• Identify outstanding RFIs and submittals that need to be highlighted in the Daily Log and escalated to the Team.

In general, always escalate RFIs and submittals that:

• Have not been submitted in time to support the schedule,
• Have not been responded to in time to support the schedule,
• Involve coordination issue(s) with other trades, service providers, AHJ, etc.
• Involve a change order.
• In meetings and conversations, be the eyes and ears for the team. Escalate real and potential risks (schedule, cost, quality, safety to the team.
• Complete Weekly Delivery Updates

Required Experience Needed

• Data Center & Retrofit Experience: Background working in data center environments, ideally with experience supporting complex retrofit projects or managing multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Strong Coordination Skills: Ability to manage high-pressure coordination across multiple vendors while meeting tight project deadlines.
• Presentation & Communication Skills: This role will require strong communication abilities, as the individual will serve as a customer-facing, on-site point of contact and represent the team professionally.
• Commissioning Experience (Preferred): While this is not a Commissioning Manager role, prior commissioning (Cx) experience is a plus.
• 5-7 years of construction experience needed. Does not have to be DC. Can be commercial or residential but commercial preferred over residential.

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 EnvironmentThis 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.
Know someone who’d be a great fit?If you're a current Overwatch employee and want to refer top talent to help us grow, submit your referral HERE. Let’s build the future together!
Benefits:We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. There will be a daily per diem (7 days a week) to help with food and lodging.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.