VP Project Controls, Data Centers

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated; Washington, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated seeks a seasoned Vice President, Project Controls to lead a mission-critical team overseeing cost management, estimating, and scheduling for data-center capital projects. You will guide a group of cost managers, estimators, and schedulers, ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery and client satisfaction.

Responsibilities include developing budgets and forecasts, reviewing estimates, managing change orders, and reporting performance to senior leaders.

Qualifications

• bachelor's degree or higher in a related field from an accredited institution.
• 8-10 years of progressive experience in project controls, cost management, estimating, or scheduling roles.
• 2-3 years of direct management experience leading project controls professionals.
• Strong knowledge of cost estimating, budgeting, and financial analysis for capital construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee team of cost managers, estimators, and schedulers; assign work and monitor progress.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, budgets, and forecasts for capital projects.
• Review and approve cost estimates; monitor expenditures and variances.
• Coordinate change orders and ensure proper documentation and approvals.
• Prepare cost and schedule reports for stakeholders and clients; support VE efforts.

Skills

Project controls

Cost management

Estimating

Scheduling

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Earned Value Management

Team leadership

Communication

Data center knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management/Engineering/Finance/Quantity Surveying

Master's degree or professional certification (CCE/PSP/PMP/CCP)

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

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.The Vice President, Project Controls - Mission Critical is an experienced management professional responsible for overseeing a project controls team supporting JLL's Mission Critical and data center capital projects. This role manages a team of cost managers, estimators, and schedulers, ensuring effective delivery of project controls services across an assigned portfolio of projects. You'll collaborate with senior leaders to establish goals and priorities for your team while maintaining operational excellence in cost management, scheduling, and budget oversight. Working with moderate supervision on complex assignments, you'll be accountable for the quality and timeliness of project controls deliverables within your scope, resolving operational challenges, and ensuring your team meets client expectations. This position requires advanced knowledge of project controls disciplines combined with operational management skills to lead a high-performing team that supports the successful delivery of mission-critical capital projects valued up to $50M. **What your day-to-day will look like:****Team Leadership and Development**• Oversee a team of cost managers, estimators, and schedulers, assigning work, monitoring progress, and ensuring quality standards are met• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members on cost estimating methodologies, scheduling techniques, and earned value management• Conduct performance reviews, provide regular feedback, and support professional development of direct reports• Manage team workload distribution and resource allocation across assigned project portfolio to meet schedules and deliverables• Foster a collaborative team environment focused on continuous improvement and professional growth• Coordinate hiring, onboarding, and training activities for team members in collaboration with senior management **Cost Management and Budget Oversight**• Oversee development of detailed cost estimates, budgets, and financial forecasts for assigned capital projects• Review and approve cost estimates prepared by team members, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project scope• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets, tracking variances and investigating discrepancies• Coordinate change order processes with project teams, reviewing cost impacts and ensuring proper documentation and approval workflows• Prepare cost reports and variance analyses for assigned projects, escalating significant issues to senior management• Support value engineering efforts by analyzing cost optimization opportunities and coordinating with design and construction teams **Schedule Management and Coordination**• Oversee development and maintenance of detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 or similar scheduling software for assigned projects• Review critical path analyses and schedule logic prepared by team members, ensuring schedules accurately reflect project sequencing and constraints• Monitor schedule performance, identifying delays or risks and coordinating with project teams to implement recovery strategies• Prepare schedule status reports and updates for assigned projects, communicating timeline impacts to project stakeholders• Support schedule coordination across multiple projects within the portfolio, identifying resource conflicts or dependencies **Project Controls Standards and Quality**• Implement standardized project controls processes, templates, and tools established by senior leadership within your team• Ensure team adherence to JLL project controls methodologies and quality standards• Conduct quality reviews of cost estimates, budgets, and schedules produced by team members• Maintain project controls documentation and files in accordance with established procedures and client requirements• Support continuous improvement initiatives by providing feedback on processes and identifying operational efficiencies **Stakeholder Communication and Reporting**• Prepare and present cost and schedule performance reports for assigned projects to project teams and clients• Serve as point of contact for clients on project controls matters for assigned projects, addressing questions and providing status updates• Coordinate with project managers, design teams, contractors, and other stakeholders to gather information and resolve cost or schedule issues• Escalate significant cost overruns, schedule delays, or risks to senior management with recommended solutions• Participate in project meetings and represent project controls function for assigned portfolioRisk Management and Issue Resolution• Identify and assess cost and schedule risks for assigned projects, working with project teams to develop mitigation strategies• Monitor risk triggers and coordinate implementation of contingency plans as needed• Resolve operational issues related to cost estimates, budget tracking, or schedule maintenance, escalating complex matters to senior management• Support claims analysis and dispute resolution activities by providing cost and schedule documentation and analysis **Required qualifications:**• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Quantity Surveying, or related field from an accredited institution• 8-10 years of progressive experience in project controls, cost management, estimating, or scheduling roles• 2-3 years of direct management experience leading project controls professionals• Advanced knowledge of cost estimating, budgeting, and financial analysis for capital construction projects• Strong proficiency in scheduling software (Primavera P6, Microsoft Project) and cost management tools• Solid understanding of earned value management (EVM) principles and applications• Experience with mission-critical or data center projects preferred• Demonstrated ability to manage team workload and coordinate multiple project assignments• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with team members, project stakeholders, and clients• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) **Preferred qualifications:**• Master's degree in related discipline or relevant professional certification (CCE, PSP, PMP, CCP)• Experience supporting capital projects valued at $500M-$5B• Knowledge of mission-critical infrastructure systems including electrical distribution, HVAC, backup power generation, and fire protection• Familiarity with project controls technology platforms and digital tools• Previous experience in owner's representative, program management, or construction management roles• Understanding of design-build, design-bid-build, and CM-at-risk project delivery methods• Experience with LEED, sustainable design, or commissioning processes• Professional membership in AACE International, PMI, or similar organizationsThis position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. **Expected compensation for this position:** 138,840.00 – 201,480.00 USD per year *Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.*