Director of MEP Operations - Mission Critical

SUMMARY

Ajax Building Company, part of STO Building Group, is seeking a Director of MEP Operations to lead mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection delivery across its mission critical data center projects. This senior leader partners with Project Executives and field leadership to drive MEP financial performance, technical execution, and commissioning readiness from preconstruction through turnover.

The role builds and develops MEP project management and field teams, establishes consistent execution standards, and serves as a senior resource for clients, design teams, and trade partners on critical systems and delivery challenges.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead and mentor MEP Project Managers, MEP Superintendents, and related specialists; align staffing, resources, and performance expectations across projects.
• Direct MEP preconstruction strategy, including scope development, estimating reviews, constructability, value engineering, and trade partner selection.
• Oversee MEP budgets, buyout, forecasting, change orders, and cost controls; partner with Project Executives to protect margins and resolve commercial risks.
• Drive critical equipment procurement and vendor coordination, including owner-furnished contractor-installed (OFCI) equipment, factory testing, delivery, and installation readiness.
• Align MEP coordination, manpower, installation sequencing, utility energization, and commissioning milestones with overall project schedules.
• Provide senior technical oversight of critical power, cooling, controls, and life safety systems; resolve design, constructability, and system integration issues.
• Establish consistent MEP procedures for BIM/VDC coordination, submittals, RFIs, quality control, and progress reporting; hold teams and trade partners accountable.
• Oversee commissioning strategy with owners, commissioning agents, vendors, and project teams, including startup, functional testing, integrated systems testing, and phased turnover.
• Promote safe execution of MEP work, including energization and testing; identify delivery risks early and lead corrective action with project and safety leadership.
• Build client and trade partner relationships, support pursuits and technical proposals, and apply lessons learned to strengthen Ajax's mission critical operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of progressive MEP construction experience, including senior leadership of project teams, field operations, or a specialty contracting business.
• Proven leadership of large-scale data center MEP delivery from preconstruction through commissioning and turnover; hyperscale experience preferred.
• Deep expertise in electrical or mechanical construction, with the ability to oversee integrated MEP and fire protection scopes. Strong critical power experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing complex MEP budgets, procurement, forecasting, contract negotiations, and change management.
• Experience developing PMs and field leaders and coordinating multiple teams or concurrent projects.
• Strong understanding of commissioning, systems testing, quality management, and data center operational readiness.
• Excellent client communication, team leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Construction Management, Engineering, or related degree preferred; equivalent trade training and substantial construction leadership experience welcomed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to visit and navigate active construction sites and perform essential job duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.

ABOUT AJAX

Founded in 1958, Ajax Building Company is a leading commercial contractor delivering complex, high-impact projects across the Southeast. Our work spans healthcare, K-12, higher education, justice, municipal, mission critical, and other institutional markets-giving our teams the opportunity to build projects that truly impact the communities they serve.

At Ajax, you'll find a collaborative, team-oriented culture where your contributions are valued, backed by the strength and stability of STO Building Group's $15B global platform. As we continue to grow, our employees take on meaningful responsibility, gain exposure to diverse and challenging work, and have clear paths for career advancement.

BENEFITS

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-term Disability Insurance, Short-term Disability insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, Family Support, Pre-tax Paid Parking/Public Transportation, Paid time off, Time Away Benefits, Paid Holidays, Group Legal, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program