Project Director Head Planning Head Civil

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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.

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

Education & Certification

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering Construction Management Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related field required
• Masters 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 N1 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

• Established network within data centre development industry
• Experience with Design-Build IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) or ECI procurement models
• International project experience
• Understanding of hyperscaler requirements (AWS Azure Google Meta etc.)

The Head of Planning will lead all planning scheduling and program management activities for data centre pre-construction projects ensuring coordinated delivery across design phases regulatory approvals and construction preparation. This role requires exceptional organizational capability technical planning expertise and the ability to coordinate complex interdependencies across multiple workstreams.

Strategic Planning Leadership

• Develop and maintain comprehensive master schedules for data centre projects from inception through construction readiness
• Establish planning standards methodologies and best practices for pre-construction phases
• Create integrated project schedules that coordinate architectural design engineering design permitting procurement and mobilization activities
• Lead planning team members and provide direction on schedule development monitoring and reporting

Schedule Development & Management

• Create detailed design phase schedules (concept schematic design development construction documents)
• Develop critical path analyses and identify key project milestones and decision gates
• Coordinate scheduling inputs from multiple design disciplines: architectural structural civil mechanical electrical plumbing fire protection IT infrastructure
• Establish realistic duration estimates based on historical data and industry benchmarks for data centre projects

Coordination & Integration

• Facilitate schedule coordination workshops with design teams consultants regulatory authorities and client stakeholders
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts and interface issues between workstreams
• Coordinate permitting timelines with local authorities and track regulatory approval processes
• Integrate procurement schedules for long-lead equipment (generators switchgear UPS systems chillers CRAC units)

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Conduct schedule risk assessments and develop contingency plans
• Identify opportunities for schedule compression and fast-track strategies where appropriate
• Monitor early warning indicators and proactively communicate potential delays
• Develop recovery plans when schedule deviations occur

Monitoring & Reporting

• Implement schedule monitoring processes and establish regular update cycles
• Produce comprehensive progress reports dashboard metrics and KPI tracking
• Conduct earned value analysis and schedule performance assessments
• Present schedule status risks and recommendations to Project Director and senior stakeholders

Technology & Tools Management

• Maintain enterprise planning tools and software platforms (Primavera P6 MS Project)
• Develop and maintain schedule templates and standard schedules for data centre project types
• Explore and implement innovative planning technologies (4D BIM scheduling AI-powered analytics)

Education & Certification

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering Construction Management Architecture or related field required
• Masters degree in Project Management Construction Management or Engineering preferred
• Professional certifications highly valued: Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of project planning experience with at least 5 years specifically in data centre or mission-critical facilities
• Proven experience managing planning for large-scale projects ($50M value) through pre-construction phases
• Demonstrated expertise developing and managing multi-phase complex project schedules with hundreds to thousands of activities
• Experience coordinating planning across multidisciplinary design teams

Technical Expertise

• Expert-level proficiency with Primavera P6 (essential)
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project Excel and project reporting tools
• Understanding of data centre design and construction sequencing including MEP systems installation phasing
• Familiarity with BIM coordination processes and 4D scheduling techniques
• Knowledge of earned value management (EVM) methodologies

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking abilities
• Strong attention to detail with ability to manage complex interconnected schedules
• Excellent communication skills with ability to explain technical planning concepts to non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder management capabilities
• Problem-solving mindset with proactive approach to risk identification

• Experience with Design-Build or ECI project delivery models
• Familiarity with DCIM (Data Centre Infrastructure Management) systems
• Knowledge of Uptime Institute standards and certification processes
• Exposure to Agile or Lean planning methodologies applied to construction

The Head of Civil will provide technical leadership for all civil engineering aspects of data centre pre-construction including site development utilities infrastructure earthworks drainage and foundation systems. This role requires deep civil engineering expertise combined with understanding of data centre-specific requirements such as heavy floor loading vibration control and critical infrastructure resilience.

Technical Leadership

• Lead civil engineering design development and coordination for data centre projects during pre-construction phases
• Provide technical oversight of civil design consultants and ensure deliverables meet project requirements and industry standards
• Establish civil engineering design standards specifications and quality benchmarks
• Serve as primary technical authority for civil matters within the pre-construction team

Site Development & Master Planning

• Direct site evaluation geotechnical investigations and topographical surveys
• Lead civil aspects of site master planning including building placement circulation utilities routing and future expansion provisions
• Coordinate site development with architectural and MEP design requirements specific to data centres
• Optimize site layouts for operational efficiency security and future scalability

Infrastructure Design Oversight

• Oversee design of site grading earthworks cut/fill optimization and soil stabilization strategies
• Direct stormwater management system design including drainage detention/retention ponds and water quality measures
• Coordinate utility infrastructure design: water supply sanitary sewer storm sewer electrical ductbanks telecommunications conduits
• Ensure adequate utility capacity and redundancy for mission-critical data centre operations
• Review foundation design (deep foundations mat slabs) to support heavy equipment loads and vibration-sensitive IT infrastructure

Regulatory & Permitting

• Lead civil permitting strategy and coordinate with regulatory agencies for site development approvals
• Ensure compliance with local zoning codes development standards and environmental regulations
• Coordinate environmental assessments and mitigation strategies (wetlands endangered species stormwater permits)
• Prepare and review permit application submissions technical reports and regulatory correspondence

Risk & Technical Problem Solving

• Identify civil-related technical risks including soil conditions flood hazards utility availability access constraints
• Develop creative engineering solutions to address site challenges and constraints
• Conduct constructability reviews and value engineering assessments for civil works
• Review geotechnical reports and provide recommendations on foundation systems and earthwork strategies

Coordination & Integration

• Coordinate civil design with architectural structural and MEP disciplines to ensure integrated solutions
• Interface with utility providers (electric water gas telecommunications) to secure service commitments
• Collaborate with environmental consultants traffic engineers and specialized consultants as needed
• Participate in design review meetings and provide technical input on multidisciplinary issues

Cost & Schedule Management

• Develop civil works cost estimates and track budget performance throughout design phases
• Review contractor pricing and validate civil-related cost proposals
• Support planning team with civil activity duration estimates and sequencing requirements
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and schedule optimization in civil scope

Education & Certification

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering required
• Masters degree in Civil Engineering Geotechnical Engineering or related field preferred
• Professional Engineering (PE) license required (or equivalent international registration)
• Additional certifications advantageous: LEED AP Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)

Experience

• Minimum 12 years of civil engineering experience with at least 5 years in data centre industrial or mission-critical facility projects
• Proven track record managing civil engineering design through pre-construction phases for large-scale developments
• Experience with complex site development projects involving challenging soil conditions significant earthworks and extensive utility coordination
• Background in both design and construction phases to understand constructability and practical implementation

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of civil engineering design principles: grading drainage utilities foundations roadways
• Understanding of geotechnical engineering principles and soil mechanics
• Familiarity with data centre-specific civil requirements: heavy floor loads (up to 500 lbs/sq ft) vibration isolation seismic design considerations
• Knowledge of stormwater management best practices and Low Impact Development (LID) techniques
• Understanding of sustainable site development practices and green infrastructure solutions

Software & Tools

• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D (essential)
• Working knowledge of other civil design software: Bentley products GIS tools
• Familiarity with BIM coordination platforms (Navisworks Revit)
• Experience with hydrologic/hydraulic modeling software (HydroCAD StormCAD etc.)

Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical problem-solving and engineering judgment
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities
• Effective communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to lead and mentor junior engineers and design team members
• Strong attention to detail and quality focus
• Collaborative approach with ability to work effectively across disciplines

• Experience with hyperscale data centre campus developments
• Knowledge of utility redundancy strategies for mission-critical facilities
• Familiarity with seismic design requirements and critical facility resilience standards
• Experience working in multiple geographic markets and understanding of regional regulatory variations
• Background in Design-Build or ECI project delivery

Competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience including base salary performance bonuses comprehensive benefits professional development opportunities and career progression pathways within JLLs global organization.

JLL is a leading professional services firm specializing in real estate and investment management. We help clients buy build occupy manage and invest in a variety of assets including industrial commercial retail residential and hotel properties. For more information about JLL visit our website or consult your local HR representative.

JLL is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce.

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