Project Director / Head Planning /Head Civil

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.   Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.    PROJECT DIRECTOR – DATA CENTRE Position Overview The Project Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight for data centre development projects during the pre-construction phase, ensuring optimal project outcomes from concept through construction readiness. This senior leadership role requires deep expertise in data centre infrastructure, pre-construction planning, stakeholder management, and large-scale project delivery. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership • Lead and oversee multiple concurrent data centre development projects from initial feasibility through construction handover • Establish project vision, strategic objectives, and success criteria aligned with client business requirements • Develop comprehensive pre-construction strategies encompassing design, procurement, risk management, and stakeholder engagement • Interface with C-suite executives, investors, and key stakeholders to ensure alignment on project direction and deliverables Pre-Construction Management • Direct feasibility studies, site selection analysis, and preliminary design development for data centre facilities • Oversee development of detailed project scopes, budgets (typically $50M-$500M+), and master schedules • Lead coordination between architects, engineers, consultants, and client teams during design phases • Ensure technical specifications meet data centre industry standards (Uptime Institute Tier requirements, LEED, energy efficiency targets) • Drive value engineering initiatives and constructability reviews to optimize project outcomes Team Leadership & Coordination • Build and lead high-performing pre-construction teams including planning, civil, MEP, structural disciplines • Mentor and develop direct reports including Head Planning, Head Civil, and other discipline leads • Foster collaborative environment across internal teams and external consultants • Allocate resources effectively across multiple projects and manage team capacity planning Risk & Compliance Management • Identify, assess, and develop mitigation strategies for technical, commercial, and regulatory risks • Ensure compliance with local building codes, zoning regulations, environmental requirements, and industry standards • Oversee permitting strategies and coordinate with regulatory authorities • Implement quality assurance processes and design review protocols Commercial & Contractual Oversight • Lead procurement strategy development and consultant/contractor selection processes • Negotiate and manage pre-construction service agreements, design contracts, and early contractor involvement (ECI) arrangements • Monitor project financial performance against budgets and forecasts • Prepare and present comprehensive reports, business cases, and recommendations to senior leadership Required Qualifications Education & Certification • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or related field required • Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or MBA preferred • Professional Engineering (PE) license, Project Management Professional (PMP), or equivalent certification highly desirable Experience • Minimum 15+ years of experience in project management, with at least 10 years specifically in data centre or mission-critical facility development • Proven track record managing pre-construction phases for large-scale data centre projects ($100M+ project values) • Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams through complex technical design and planning processes • Experience with hyperscale, colocation, and/or enterprise data centre development models Technical Expertise • Deep understanding of data centre infrastructure systems: power distribution, cooling systems, fire suppression, building management systems • Knowledge of Uptime Institute Tier standards (Tier II through Tier IV design requirements) • Familiarity with sustainability frameworks (LEED, Energy Star) and energy-efficient data centre design principles • Understanding of electrical load calculations, redundancy configurations (N, N+1, 2N), and critical infrastructure design Skills & Competencies • Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities • Outstanding leadership and team development abilities • Superior communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence senior executives • Strong commercial acumen and contract negotiation experience • Proficiency with project management software (Primavera P6, MS Project) and design coordination tools (BIM/Revit, Navisworks) • Data-driven decision-making approach with strong analytical skills Preferred Attributes • Established network within data centre development