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Owner's Project Manager job

What an owner's project manager (OPM) does on a data center build, how the role differs from a general contractor project manager, and how project managers move into it.

By Czarina Tabayoyong, Founder, Critical Path Hiring

Last reviewed · First published

Reviewed as terms, pay and markets change.

The job

An owner's project manager (OPM) represents the company that owns the data center during design, construction and turnover. They hold the general contractor and the design team to scope, budget and schedule, and they approve or reject change orders. Experienced general contractor project managers often move into the role.

A typical day

  • Review the design and control scope for the owner
  • Help choose the general contractor and consultants, and approve or reject change orders
  • Track the budget and contingency and report on capital spend
  • Keep the schedule on track through commissioning and turnover
  • Work with the utility, permitting offices and local inspectors
  • Hand the finished building to the operations team

Location and schedule

On the owner side, at hyperscalers and large operators, or at consulting firms that act as the owner's representative. The role covers one building or campus phase from design through turnover.

Skills and certifications

Required

  • Project management on large builds, including change order control

Helpful

  • Utility, permitting and inspector experience in the same market

Routes in

General contractor project managers move into this role, as do project managers at consulting firms that work as the owner's representative.

Next roles

This role leads to program manager.

Pay

Pay varies by market and level, and the current ranges are in our data center salary guide.

Questions

How is an owner's project manager different from a general contractor project manager?
The general contractor's project manager builds to the contract. The owner's project manager decides what the contract covers and approves changes to it.
Does local experience matter for an owner's project manager?
Yes. Utility hookups, permits and inspector relationships are local, so it helps to have worked with the same utility and permitting offices before.
How do I become an owner's project manager?
Most people move over from general contractor project management or from consulting firms that act as the owner's representative. Program manager, covering several projects, is the next step.

Next steps