Sr. Technical Project Manager, Data Centers

JLL; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of complex, mission-critical data-center infrastructure projects in San Francisco. You will own cost, schedule, scope, procurement, and client outcomes, directing PMs and coordinators, and serving as the primary client contact with data-driven reporting.

Responsibilities include pre-design feasibility, ROM estimates, parallel delivery, and GMP/NTE contract execution. Travel up to 100% may be required for project assignments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of construction project management experience in data center/mission-critical environments.
• Proven track record delivering projects at scale ($50M+ total cost) with high schedule intensity and complex MEP scopes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex, high-value data-center infrastructure projects.
• Direct PMs, APMs, and Project Coordinators; own client and leadership accountability.
• Lead pre-design and feasibility efforts with engineering; establish viable design paths and ROM estimates.
• Drive speed-to-market delivery and coordinated contractor management across trades.
• Develop and review procedures; maintain comprehensive project documentation.
• Manage GMP/NTE budgets, forecasts, change orders, and variance analysis.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Contract administration

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

CAD software

Project management software

Scheduling software

Financial management software

Job description

What this job involves:

Lead the end-to-end delivery of the program’s complex, high-value, and high-profile mission‑critical and data‑center infrastructure projects. This is a senior project management role for the large and technically demanding engagements — projects where the technical scope, financial exposure, schedule risk, and client profile demand the deepest level of experience and commercial command. The Senior Project Manager owns performance across cost, schedule, scope, procurement, and client outcomes for their assigned projects, directs PMs, APMs and Project Coordinators supporting those projects, and operates as the primary point of accountability to the client and internal leadership on every engagement they carry.

What this job involves:

Lead the end-to-end delivery of the program’s complex, high-value, and high-profile mission‑critical and data‑center infrastructure projects. This is a senior project management role for the large and technically demanding engagements — projects where the technical scope, financial exposure, schedule risk, and client profile demand the deepest level of experience and commercial command. The Senior Project Manager owns performance across cost, schedule, scope, procurement, and client outcomes for their assigned projects, directs PMs, APMs and Project Coordinators supporting those projects, and operates as the primary point of accountability to the client and internal leadership on every engagement they carry.

Your day‑to‑day tasks will include:

• Lead full project delivery on the program’s complex and high-value engagements, owning all performance outcomes across cost, schedule, scope, weekly OAC meetings, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Provide guidance and direction to PMs, APMs and Project Coordinators assigned to support their projects, maintaining delivery standards, documentation integrity, and workstream alignment.
• Lead pre-design and feasibility efforts alongside engineering, including due diligence, constructability review, capacity validation, and value engineering, to establish viable design paths and ROM estimates with the highest confidence possible given compressed timelines.
• Drive the compressed, parallelized delivery methodology required for speed‑to‑market commitments, adapting conventional pre‑planning sequencing and contractor coordination norms for projects of the large scale and technical complexity.
• Develop and review Method of Procedures (MOPs) for critical infrastructure, providing detailed status reports and maintaining comprehensive project documentation.
• Execute procurement and commercial execution, including RFP development, vendor qualification, negotiation, and direct contracting of vendors and suppliers under NTE/GMP arrangements.
• Coordinate prime and trade contracts (electrical, mechanical, controls, fire protection, structural, and general trades) through complex, phased, and overlapping delivery.
• Manage project‑level performance, including GMP/NTE budgets, ROM development, change orders, forecasts, pay applications, and variance analysis, exercising the greatest degree of commercial discipline on projects where cost risk is highest.
• Serve as the primary day‑to‑day client interface on assigned projects, translating technical requirements into actionable plans and delivering rigorous, data‑driven reporting to demanding clients.
• Identify, document, and elevate risk on projects with notable technical, schedule, and commercial exposure, exercising sound judgment on decisions within established guidelines and escalating high‑stakes issues appropriately.
• Ensure quality assurance and commissioning of critical power, cooling, life‑safety, and control systems within active, energized environment.
• Perform comprehensive field assessments including onsite electrical equipment evaluations, operational testing, and commissioning activities. Conduct regular inspections of buildings and equipment to identify maintenance and repair needs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices. Supervise electrical equipment maintenance, testing activities, and contractor work to ensure quality standards are met.
• Collaborate on designing project plans, specifications, and engineering drawings using CAD software. Ensure all designs comply with applicable codes, regulations, and industry standards. Provide technical expertise in building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire safety systems, and reliable power systems (UPS, batteries, emergency generators, transfer switches, switchgear, and distributed generation).
• Enforce site safety protocols, including lockout‑tagout (LOTO) and safe work practices; lead safety stand‑downs and corrective actions when incidents occur on assigned projects.
• Support contract administration, compliance, insurance documentation, and governance on all assigned engagements.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of construction project management experience in data center, industrial, or other mission‑critical environments, with demonstrated ownership of full project delivery on large, complex, high‑value projects.
• Proven track record delivering projects at scale: $50M+ total project cost, high schedule intensity, and technically complex MEP scopes.
• Direct oversight of trade contractors (electrical, mechanical, generator, controls, structural) in active, energized construction settings.
• Proven commercial and contract leadership, including RFP development, negotiation, and administration of GMP, NTE, or similar contract structures on large, consequential project scopes.
• Advanced proficiency with project management, scheduling, and financial management software.
• Deep working knowledge of MEP systems, critical power/cooling infrastructure, and commissioning standards (NFPA, ASHRAE) across the full range of data center system types.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and executive‑level presentation and reporting skills; comfortable as the primary face of the project to the most demanding clients.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with high autonomy and decisive judgment in ambiguous, high‑pressure, fast‑track environments where conventional sequencing does not apply.
• Availability to travel up to 100% for specific projects as needed.