Director Project Controls – Data Center Construction

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, us

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. 

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. 

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Director of Project Controls to lead cost, schedule, and risk management for a large-scale data center construction program in Beaver County, PA, while supporting major client accounts and broader business initiatives. This is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing and overseeing robust project controls processes, ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting, and governance across all phases of delivery.

The Director will partner with project leadership, contractors, and stakeholders to maintain transparency, mitigate risks, and drive performance against budget and schedule targets. You will lead project controls teams, ensure best practices are implemented, and act as a trusted advisor to clients.


Responsibilities

• Establish and execute the strategic direction for project controls, including cost, schedule, and risk management, for a large-scale data center program.
• Develop and implement governance frameworks, reporting protocols, and project controls processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, earned value analysis, variance reporting, and lifecycle cost estimating; validate estimates and track actuals against forecasts.
• Lead development and integration of detailed CPM schedules (Primavera P6/MS Project) across design, procurement, construction, and commissioning; monitor critical path and implement recovery plans.
• Define and manage risk registers; lead risk workshops, establish mitigation strategies, and coordinate contingency planning, including Monte Carlo analyses.
• Manage change control processes, including evaluation of scope changes, impact analysis, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Prepare executive-level dashboards, gateway documentation, and reports for senior leadership, highlighting performance, risks, and corrective actions.
• Ensure alignment on cost and schedule objectives through collaboration with project managers, finance teams, and contractors; support client reporting and governance meetings.
• Drive data integrity and reporting accuracy across all phases; utilize project controls tools and platforms (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, cost systems).
• Develop and maintain protocols for performance measurement, forecasting, trending, and progress reporting against project baselines.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing project controls team; provide clear direction, conduct performance reviews, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Motivate the team through regular meetings, clear goals, and quality assurance of deliverables; ensure integration of intake, cost, and scheduling processes for end-to-end project controls.
• Act as a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders; review implementation plans, claims resolution recommendations, and recovery strategies.
• Support business initiatives by identifying opportunities for process improvement, knowledge sharing, and integration of best practices across projects.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; graduate degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in project controls, cost management, and scheduling for large-scale construction programs (data center or mission-critical preferred), including 2+ years leading high-performing project controls teams in a consulting environment.
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets, schedules, and risk for multi-million-dollar projects; experience establishing and monitoring baselines and performance metrics.
• Expertise in cost forecasting, earned value management (EVM), risk analysis, and change management; strong knowledge of multiple contract delivery methods.
• Demonstrated success in implementing and managing integrated project controls systems, including financial and scheduling controls, for major capital projects.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project, and cost management systems; advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
• Professional certifications such as CCP, PSP, PMP, or equivalent highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills; ability to interpret complex data, influence stakeholders, and drive performance.
• Knowledge of industry standards, regulatory requirements, and compliance frameworks relevant to large-scale construction programs.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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