Senior Project Manager- Critical Environments

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical/Dental/Vision

Parental leave

Paid time off

Daily Pay

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated in Chicago is seeking a Senior Project Manager for Critical Environments to lead complex data-center and mission-critical capital projects from planning through execution, ensuring safety, quality, schedule, and client satisfaction.

You will balance hands-on delivery with leadership of a team, review designs, manage budgets, risk, and reporting, and coach project managers while building relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of project management experience supporting critical environments, mission‑critical facilities, or data center infrastructure projects.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience leading, supervising, or mentoring project teams.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems and mission‑critical facility infrastructure.
• Demonstrated expertise in engineering design reviews, construction management, commissioning, and project controls.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Proficiency with project management software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in fast‑paced, client‑focused environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead critical environment and data center projects from initiation through closeout, ensuring successful delivery against scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk management strategies.
• Identify, evaluate, and proactively mitigate project risks, issues, and obstacles.
• Manage project financial performance, including forecasting, change management, budget controls, and reporting.
• Ensure project documentation, governance requirements, and reporting standards are consistently maintained.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for clients and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants, vendors, and internal partners.
• Provide clear and concise project communications, executive updates, and decision support throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate meetings, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities to drive alignment and project success.
• Provide technical leadership for critical infrastructure projects involving: Electrical systems, including switchgear, generators, UPS systems, and power distribution; Mechanical and cooling systems, including HVAC and mission‑critical cooling infrastructure; Fire and life safety systems; Building management and monitoring systems.
• Review engineering designs, technical specifications, and construction documents to ensure compliance with project objectives and industry standards.
• Oversee installation quality, commissioning activities, integrated systems testing, and operational readiness.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of complex technical issues throughout project execution.
• Provide oversight and coach assigned variable project managers supporting critical environment projects on the account.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Conduct regular coaching and development discussions focused on project management best practices and technical proficiency.
• Share lessons learned and promote the adoption of standardized processes, tools, and methodologies.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Microsoft Office

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Smartsheet

AdaptiveWork

Ingenious

E1/Spend

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.

IFCP Critical Environment Sr. Project Manager – JLL

What This Role Involves:

As a Senior Project Manager for Critical Environments, you will play a key role in delivering complex capital projects within mission‑critical facilities, including data centers and other critical infrastructure environments. In this highly visible position, you will be responsible for guiding projects from planning through execution while ensuring exceptional outcomes in safety, quality, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction. You will join a team that is committed to empowering individuals, developing high‑performing teams, and driving results through collaboration at both local and global levels. Operating in a player‑coach capacity, you will balance hands‑on project delivery with leadership responsibilities, leveraging your technical expertise and industry experience to oversee and guide variable/market project managers, strengthen team capabilities, and promote operational excellence. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of mission‑critical infrastructure systems, exceptional project management skills, and the ability to lead teams through complex technical challenges while building trusted relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead critical environment and data center projects from initiation through closeout, ensuring successful delivery against scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk management strategies.
• Identify, evaluate, and proactively mitigate project risks, issues, and obstacles.
• Manage project financial performance, including forecasting, change management, budget controls, and reporting.
• Ensure project documentation, governance requirements, and reporting standards are consistently maintained.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for clients and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants, vendors, and internal partners.
• Provide clear and concise project communications, executive updates, and decision support throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate meetings, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities to drive alignment and project success.
• Provide technical leadership for critical infrastructure projects involving: Electrical systems, including switchgear, generators, UPS systems, and power distribution; Mechanical and cooling systems, including HVAC and mission‑critical cooling infrastructure; Fire and life safety systems; Building management and monitoring systems.
• Review engineering designs, technical specifications, and construction documents to ensure compliance with project objectives and industry standards.
• Oversee installation quality, commissioning activities, integrated systems testing, and operational readiness.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of complex technical issues throughout project execution.
• Provide oversight and coach assigned variable project managers supporting critical environment projects on the account.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Conduct regular coaching and development discussions focused on project management best practices and technical proficiency.
• Share lessons learned and promote the adoption of standardized processes, tools, and methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of project management experience supporting critical environments, mission‑critical facilities, or data center infrastructure projects.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience leading, supervising, or mentoring project teams.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems and mission‑critical facility infrastructure.
• Demonstrated expertise in engineering design reviews, construction management, commissioning, and project controls.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Proficiency with project management software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in fast‑paced, client‑focused environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP), Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP), or similar industry certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, LEED Accreditation, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with JLL project delivery platforms, including AdaptiveWork, Ingenious, and E1/Spend.
• Advanced proficiency with Smartsheet, including dashboard development, reporting automation, and resource planning.
• Experience working within large corporate, matrixed, or global organizations.
• Knowledge of local building codes, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements affecting mission‑critical facilities.
• Understanding of security, operational resiliency, and business continuity requirements in critical environments.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and decision‑making capabilities.

Location & Work Hours

Location: Downtown Chicago or Naperville (regular on‑site presence required with client and contractor interaction at critical facility locations)

Work Shift: Regular business hours with availability for critical operations and after‑hours support for mission‑critical facilities

Location: On‑site – Chicago, IL

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Expected compensation for this position: 109,735.00 – 148,465.00 USD per year. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care.
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary.
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays.
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [e-mail]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.

Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.

Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job‑related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Company Culture & Vision

We help our people thrive, grow meaningful careers and find a place where they belong. Together, we strive to be exceptional and shape a better world.

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with operations in over 80 countries around the world, our employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYS.

JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.