Director, Project Controls, Project & Development Services (Data Centers)

Cushman & Wakefield; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Health savings accounts

Retirement savings plans

Life and disability insurance

Paid and unpaid time away from work

Competitive pay

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield in Ashburn, VA is seeking a Director-level Project Controls lead for data center programs. You will shape strategy, develop integrated schedules, and mentor a team of schedulers across design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

This role interfaces with executives, leads governance, and drives delivery excellence through KPI dashboards, risk analysis, and what-if scenario planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field.
• 12–15+ years of planning and scheduling experience on large-scale capital programs.
• Program or portfolio level experience with client-facing leadership.
• Experience in advanced tech, mission critical/data center projects; fast-track schedules and commissioning.
• Expertise in Primavera P6 (required); other tools and data visualization preferred.
• Ability to lead teams in matrixed environments and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness; link schedule performance to cost and risk.
• Excellent communication skills for executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-level schedule management frameworks across major capital programs with governance and reporting standards.
• Act as primary planning and scheduling advisor to client leadership on phasing, sequencing, and risks.
• Develop and oversee integrated master schedules across design, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations.
• Align internal teams, contractors, and third parties to a single source of truth schedule.
• Establish program-level reporting structures, KPIs, and executive dashboards for schedule performance.
• Lead scenario planning and quantitative risk assessments to support key decisions.
• Identify critical path impacts and mitigation strategies at project and program levels.
• Oversee schedule quality and data integrity across all projects in the program.
• Partner with cost, commercial, and project management to align schedule with financial objectives.
• Build and mentor a team of schedulers and planners.
• Support proposals and client presentations with thought leadership on project controls and scheduling.
• Be a visible leader reinforcing best practices and delivery excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Job Title

Director, Project Controls, Project & Development Services (Data Centers)

Job Description Summary

This Director-level role will serve as the strategic lead and primary client interface for all planning and scheduling functions across large-scale capital programs, with a strong focus on data center delivery. The individual will operate as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders, shaping program strategy through the development of high-level integrated schedules, resource plans, and delivery frameworks from early planning through execution and closeout. The Director will lead the establishment of best-in-class scheduling standards, governance, and reporting while building and mentoring high-performing teams. This role requires a balance of strategic insight and technical expertise, with the ability to influence outcomes, drive alignment across complex stakeholder groups, and ensure successful program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of enterprise-level schedule management frameworks across major capital programs, including tools, processes, governance, and reporting standards.
• Serve as the primary planning and scheduling advisor to client leadership, providing strategic guidance on program phasing, sequencing, and delivery risks.
• Develop and oversee integrated master schedules aligning design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations across complex programs.
• Drive alignment across internal teams, contractors, designers, and third parties to ensure integration into a single source of truth schedule.
• Establish program-level reporting structures, KPIs, and executive dashboards to communicate schedule performance, risks, and trends.
• Lead scenario planning, what-if analysis, and quantitative risk assessments to support key program decisions.
• Identify and communicate critical path impacts, schedule risks, and mitigation strategies at both project and program levels.
• Oversee schedule quality, data integrity, and consistency across all projects within the program.
• Partner with cost, commercial, and project management leads to align schedule with financial and operational objectives.
• Build, lead, and mentor a team of schedulers and planners, establishing a culture of accountability, development, and continuous improvement.
• Support business development efforts by contributing to proposals, client presentations, and thought leadership related to project controls and scheduling.
• Act as a visible leader within both the client organization and internal teams, reinforcing best practices and driving delivery excellence.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field.
• 12–15+ years of experience in planning and scheduling for large-scale capital programs, including design and construction phases.
• Demonstrated experience operating at a program or portfolio level, ideally in a client-facing leadership capacity.
• Strong experience in advanced tech, mission critical and/or data center projects required, with an understanding of delivery, fast-track schedules, and commissioning requirements.
• Expertise in Primavera P6 (required); experience with additional planning tools and data visualization platforms preferred.
• Proven ability to lead teams within complex, matrixed environments and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to connect schedule performance to cost, risk, and business outcomes.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present to executive audiences and translate complex data into clear insights.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Health savings accounts
• Retirement savings plans
• Life and disability insurance programs
• Paid and unpaid time away from work
• Competitive pay (varies by location, experience, etc.)

In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 161,500.00 - $190,000.00

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

About Cushman & Wakefield

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield” About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for occupiers and investors with approximately 53,000 employees in over 350 offices and nearly 60 countries. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core service lines of services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com