Senior Project Manager - Data Centers Development

Job Description

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager - Development to support our key client's large scale data center development program. The role is focused on representing developer clients through the front-end lifecycle of major data center projects, from site identification and acquisition through development, entitlement, utility coordination, due diligence and through to construction.

The ideal candidate possesses a comprehensive understanding of the data center development lifecycle, supported by 8+ years of proven experience leading the successful delivery of mission-critical projects from site identification and land acquisition through design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout. They will have a demonstrated track record of managing complex development programs, navigating project risks, and driving outcomes in fast-paced, client-driven environments.

To excel in this role, the candidate must be highly effective in a client-facing capacity, combining strong commercial acumen with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor to data center developers, hyperscale operators, investors, and enterprise clients. The successful individual will be comfortable engaging with executive stakeholders, leading multidisciplinary teams, and providing strategic guidance throughout the project lifecycle.

As a Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading project teams, managing key client relationships, and delivering exceptional service across a portfolio of data center developments. Beyond project execution, you will play a critical role in identifying opportunities to add value for clients, expanding existing engagements, and supporting the continued growth of Turner & Townsend's Data Center practice across North America.

The successful candidate will be recognized as a trusted partner who can confidently guide clients through the complexities of data center development, balancing project delivery, client satisfaction, and business growth. They will embody Turner & Townsend's commitment to excellence while helping deliver best-in-class consulting services to leading developers, investors, colocation providers, and hyperscale clients throughout the United States.

Key responsibilities:

Client and Program Leadership

• Serve as the primary day-to-day client representative and trusted advisor for assigned data center development projects.
• Manage client relationships through proactive communication, issue resolution, and strategic guidance.
• Lead project governance processes, reporting, stakeholder management, and executive-level presentations.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary consultant teams and ensure alignment across all project stakeholders.
• Support business development initiatives and identify opportunities for expanded service delivery within client accounts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with developers, investors, landowners, utility providers, consultants, and local authorities.

Development Management

• Lead data center projects from site screening and acquisition through development and readiness for construction execution.
• Manage development schedules, budgets, risks, and key project milestones.
• Oversee feasibility studies, site evaluations, due diligence activities, and technical assessments.
• Coordinate development activities including:
  • Site selection
  • Land acquisition support
  • Utility assessments
  • Capacity and infrastructure evaluations
  • Environmental due diligence
  • Zoning and entitlement processes
  • Permitting strategies
  • Infrastructure planning
• Track and manage project development risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure development activities align with overall client business objectives, schedule requirements, and investment criteria.

Design Phase Services

• Support development of Minimum Functionality Case, plus enhancement identification.
• Support and contribute to Value Engineering efforts (selection, coordination, comment follow-up and verification).
• Assist in identifying long-lead items procurement items, providing input/feedback/research related to construction market conditions.
• Assist with preparation of request for proposal for general contractor and commissioning agent procurements.
• Assist in establishing the success criteria for the project construction, including schedule, cost, technical and quality performance parameters.
• Review design and construction drawings against project requirements and for constructability issues and concerns, with follow-up and verification with GC and A/E.
• Participate in risk identification and mitigation planning for cost and schedule risks.
• Assist in developing baseline schedule and provide regular progress update on all activities.
• Participate in Criticality Assessment (workshop to identify critical aspects of design and construction that may require owner witness/hold points and oversight of inspection, testing and acceptance).

Design and Construct 

• Participate in Interface with local authorities having jurisdiction, developers, on issues regarding site development, e.g., utility tie-ins, permitting, etc.
• Participate in review of Product Data Submittals in coordination with technical reviewers.
• Coordinate with Commissioning Agent during development of Commissioning Plan and execution of Plan.
• Review project submittals and RFI.

Construction Phase Services including Commissioning and Handover to Operations

• Reviews the general contractors and key subcontractors project schedule for alignment with contract requirements.
• Provide oversight of general contractor during construction phase activities, including regular site visits and review construction work.
• Attend daily construction status meetings and Owner, Architect, Contractor meetings as scheduled.
• Review and report on the overall construction effort and progress.
• Evaluate of the project schedule with relation to actual field production.
• Coordination with Cost and Scheduling representatives for project reporting and dashboard updates.
• Coordination with Document Controller to ensure project documentation is loaded into client system of record.
• Supports observation and issue tracking/resolution and punch-list, coordination with A/E.
• Support In-Process and Final Inspection and Test activity conducted by GC and Commissioning Agent.

Education/Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years’ project management experience with a significant focus on data center development projects.
• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, Architecture, Project Management or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects from land acquisition through handover to construction or delivery teams
• Strong financial, commercial and risk management capabilities
• Proficient – expert experience level using Microsoft tools (MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of data center development, entitlement, and pre-construction processes.
• Ability to lead, coordinate & organize multiple stakeholders including general contractor and deliver project/program status reports as required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The tenacity and drive to inject value and create solutions.
• Develops good working relationships with project team and clients
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast paced consulting environment
• Ability to travel up to 25% as required by clients.

Additional Information

The salary range for this full-time role is $130K-$165K per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.  Please note Turner & Townsend reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on candidate’s experience and qualifications. 

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs*

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.

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