Vice President Delivery Data Center Infrastructure North America

About the role

Position Overview Nscale is building the infrastructure that powers AI. Our North American Data Center Infrastructure group delivers large scale, high density data center campuses where speed to power, execution certainty, and customer handover are central to commercial success. The Vice President Delivery leads the safe, predictable, and commercially disciplined delivery of Nscale self-build data center facilities across North America. The portfolio will be predominantly located in the South Central region, with responsibility extending across North America as business needs require. This executive is accountable for turning approved development opportunities into operational, customer ready facilities through disciplined leadership of design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover. This role requires a senior builder with deep data center construction experience, strong technical judgment across MEP systems and critical infrastructure, and a proven ability to lead complex projects at scale. The Vice President Delivery establishes the operating rhythm, talent bench, delivery strategy, and external relationships required to grow a high performing delivery organization. Key Responsibilities Portfolio Delivery Leadership - Own end to end delivery performance for the North American self build portfolio, from project authorization through commissioning, turnover, and transition to operations. - Set and maintain a clear delivery strategy for each campus that aligns scope, schedule, cost, procurement, execution approach, customer commitments, and risk management. - Lead portfolio prioritization and resource deployment across concurrent campuses; identify cross project dependencies, capacity constraints, and escalation needs early. - Provide executives with an accurate, decision ready view of delivery health, including schedule confidence, budget status, procurement exposure, construction progress, key risks, and required interventions. - Drive timely resolution of issues that threaten critical milestones, including energization, long lead equipment delivery, construction completion, commissioning, and customer ready dates. Project Execution and Controls - Establish accountable project leadership and governance for each campus, with clear ownership across project management, preconstruction, construction, MEP QAQC, commissioning, commercial, and project controls. - Ensure projects are planned and executed using credible integrated master schedules, disciplined cost forecasting, change control, risk management, and performance reporting. - Review and challenge project execution plans, recovery strategies, contractor schedules, estimates, and forecasts to ensure that commitments are achievable and risks are visible. - Sponsor the development and continuous improvement of repeatable North American delivery standards, stage gates, playbooks, templates, and operating rhythms that improve certainty without slowing execution. - Coordinate closely with Development, Design, Procurement and Supply Chain, Global Programs, Operations, and customer teams to protect delivery outcomes across the full project lifecycle. Commercial and Contract Leadership - Lead the delivery organization’s role in major commercial decisions, including delivery model selection, contractor procurement strategy, contract negotiations, scope allocation, and commercial risk management. - Maintain executive oversight of major construction, engineering, equipment, and professional services contracts; ensure contract positions support project schedule, cost, quality, safety, and operational requirements. - Partner with Legal, Commercial, Procurement, and Finance to resolve claims, disputes, change orders, and other material commercial matters in a timely and commercially sound manner. - Build trusted senior relationships with general contractors, trade partners, OEMs, engineering firms, utilities, and other strategic partners to improve access, accountability, and execution performance. Technical Delivery - Apply strong technical judgment across civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, controls, low voltage, and critical infrastructure systems to validate constructability, sequencing, commissioning readiness, and operational resilience. - Ensure MEP design, equipment selection, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning plans are fully integrated with the delivery schedule and customer requirements. - Lead senior level engagement on complex technical and operational risks, including utility interfaces, power availability, long lead electrical and mechanical equipment, quality issues, and commissioning performance. - Champion a practical, field informed approach to constructability, safety in design, quality assurance, and lessons learned across the portfolio. People and Organization Leadership - Build, lead, and develop a scalable North American delivery organization with strong leaders across project delivery, construction, preconstruction, project controls, MEP QAQC, commissioning, and supporting functions. - Define organization design, hiring plans, leadership expectations, succession plans, and talent development programs that match portfolio growth and regional needs. - Create a high accountability culture grounded in safety, integrity, collaboration, transparency, and ownership; ensure issues are raised early and solved at the right level. - Coach senior project leaders and create a strong site leadership bench capable of delivering multiple large scale campuses simultaneously. Qualifications Required - 12+ years of progressive leadership in construction and project delivery, including senior responsibility for large, complex mission critical or industrial infrastructure programs. - Significant data center construction experience, preferably including hyperscale or high density AI and GPU campuses, with direct accountability for project outcomes. - Demonstrated experience delivering self-build facilities from early design and procurement through construction, commissioning, and operational handover. - Deep understanding of key project management and controls disciplines, including contract negotiations, budget management, cost forecasting, integrated scheduling, procurement strategy, risk management, and change control. - Strong working knowledge of MEP systems, critical power and cooling infrastructure, utility interfaces, commissioning, and operational readiness requirements. - Proven ability to build and lead large, geographically distributed teams in a fast moving, high growth environment. - Established industry relationships with contractors, key trade partners, OEMs, engineering firms, and other delivery partners relevant to North American data center development. - Exceptional executive presence, commercial judgment, and ability to communicate complex project conditions and recommended actions clearly to senior leaders and customers. - Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related discipline; equivalent experience will be considered. Preferred - Experience leading a multi site North American data center portfolio with individual projects exceeding 500 million dollars and program scale in the billions. - Owner side leadership experience across EPC, design build, CM at risk, and trade contracting delivery models. - Experience with phased campus delivery, integrated commissioning through L1 to L5, and handover to facilities operations or customers. - Professional credentials such as PMP, CCM, PE, LEED, or equivalent industry certifications. Character and Conduct What We Value Most - Integrity: does the right thing even when no one is watching and never misrepresents status, costs, progress, or risk. - Ownership mentality: treats the portfolio as their own and holds themselves and their team accountable for outcomes. - Respect under pressure: remains composed and professional with teams, contractors, customers, and partners in difficult conditions. - Transparent communication: surfaces difficult issues early, communicates facts clearly, and drives decisions to resolution. - Team first leadership: builds capable teams, shares credit, develops people, and keeps the program ahead of personal agenda. Work Environment and Schedule - North America based hybrid role with substantial travel, expected to be approximately 35 to 50 percent, to active project sites, contractor offices, supplier locations, and Nscale offices. Travel will be concentrated in the South Central region while supporting broader North American needs. - Fast paced, high growth environment with multiple concurrent projects and occasional work outside standard hours to support critical milestones, project escalations, and executive reporting. - Site visits require adherence to all Nscale and contractor safety programs and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment. The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation. Salary Range $260,000 — $450,000 USD For information on how Nscale handles candidate personal data, please see our Employee & Candidate Privacy Notice: Here. Nscale does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions from recruitment agencies.