Project Director - Data Center / Advanced Manufacturing

Job Description

Vietnam is fast becoming one of Asia’s important destinations for data centre, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investment. To support this growth, we are seeking an accomplished Project Director to lead the delivery of major, technically complex capital projects for global clients – and to help build our mission-critical and high-tech capability across Southern Vietnam.

Acting as the client’s trusted advisor and senior delivery lead, you will be accountable for safety, programme, cost, quality and stakeholder outcomes across the full project lifecycle, from strategy and pre-construction through to commissioning and operational readiness. This is a high-profile, client-facing leadership role suited to an MEPF-led professional with international experience.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Client leadership & strategic advisory

• Lead senior relationships with client executives, regional / global engineering and construction leadership, investors and key partners; act as Turner & Townsend’s accountable lead on the commission.
• Advise on delivery and procurement strategy (EPC / EPCM, Design & Build, CM, multi-package), contract strategy (FIDIC and bespoke forms) and the Vietnamese regulatory pathway – investment registration, EIA, construction permitting, fire safety (PCCC) approvals and grid connection.
• Present with authority at steering committees and board level; translate technical and commercial complexity into clear options and recommendations.

Delivery, governance & controls

• Accountable for end-to-end delivery of projects typically valued at USD 50m–500m+, often multi-phase and fast-track.
• Establish the project governance framework – Project Execution Plan, stage gates, delegations of authority, reporting, risk and change management – aligned to client and Turner & Townsend standards.
• Own the integrated master schedule and critical path, including global supply chains for long-lead equipment (transformers, MV switchgear, generators, UPS, chillers, process tools and utilities) and logistics into Vietnam.
• Oversee budget, contingency, cash flow, change, claims and final accounts with the Cost Management team; drive value engineering and dispute avoidance.

Technical leadership (MEPF & mission-critical)

• Provide senior technical oversight of power, cooling and life-safety systems – redundancy strategies (N+1, 2N), Uptime Institute Tier III/IV and TIA-942 principles, liquid cooling and high-density white space.
• For semiconductor and advanced manufacturing: oversee cleanroom (ISO 14644) delivery, vibration and EMI criteria, ultra-pure water, bulk and specialty gases, chemicals, process exhaust, tool hook-up and SEMI S2 / EHS requirements.
• Lead the testing & commissioning strategy (Level 1–5 / IST), commissioning-agent interface, utility energisation and operational readiness, ensuring a seamless handover to operations.

Health, safety, environment & quality

• Provide visible HSE leadership on sites with large peak workforces, embedding client global standards alongside Vietnamese labour-safety law; drive a zero-harm culture.
• Champion quality, sustainability and ESG outcomes (energy efficiency / PUE, water use, LEED / LOTUS, embodied carbon).

People, team & business growth

• Build, lead and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams of international and Vietnamese professionals; mentor future leaders and strengthen succession.
• Support business development, bids and client account growth across the mission-critical and advanced manufacturing sectors, and contribute to Turner & Townsend’s thought leadership in Vietnam and the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering (MEPF background strongly preferred); other engineering or construction disciplines considered with strong mission-critical MEPF exposure.
• 15+ years’ experience in the delivery of major capital projects, including at least 5 years as Project Director or equivalent senior delivery lead.
• Proven, end-to-end delivery of at least one of: hyperscale / colocation data centre (ideally 10 MW+ IT load), semiconductor fab or OSAT, or advanced manufacturing facility with cleanroom and process utilities.
• Experience as client-side PMC / Owner’s Representative and/or with a tier-one contractor, under FIDIC or comparable international contract forms.
• Deep knowledge of MEPF systems, testing & commissioning and operational handover for mission-critical facilities.
• Outstanding executive communication and stakeholder management skills; fluent English (written and spoken).
• International experience strongly preferred – expatriate professionals and overseas Vietnamese returning to Vietnam with significant project leadership experience in established markets (e.g. Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Europe or the US) are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Prior delivery experience in Vietnam or Southeast Asia, and an understanding of local permitting, authority and supply-chain dynamics.
• Vietnamese language proficiency is an advantage (not essential).
• Chartered or professional status (CEng, PE, MRICS, MCIOB) and / or PMP; Uptime Institute (ATD / AOS) or similar credentials an advantage.
• Credible, composed and decisive leader who builds trust at all levels and leads by example on safety and integrity.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on understanding of site delivery; structured, governance-driven and commercially astute.
• Culturally agile, able to bridge international client expectations with local delivery realities.
• Strong team spirit and a positive mindset, with a commitment to integrity and doing the right thing, every time.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

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