VP Project Controls, Data Centers

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 portfolio
Risk 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 organizations

Work arrangement
Yes