Water & Wastewater Utility Senior Project Manager - Data Center Construction

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 a Senior level Water & Wastewater Utility Project Manager to join our data center team and lead complex water and sewer utility programs that support cooling infrastructure for large-scale data center projects. This role manages consultants and contractors, oversees design and permitting, and maintains strong relationships with external stakeholders, including inspectors and regulatory authorities. The position requires deep expertise in heavy civil, water utility, or related engineering disciplines, combined with strong project management skills and the ability to drive strategic and tactical initiatives across multiple geographies. Travel to project sites and utility facilities will be required.

This role may be performed remotely as long as the individual is willing to travel to project sites as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Lead planning and execution of water and wastewater utility programs for data center cooling systems.
• Manage consultants, contractors, and third-party service providers to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Oversee design, permitting, and entitlement processes for water and sewer infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, and cost estimates, ensuring adherence to financial targets.
• Negotiate utility agreements and secure necessary easements for project execution.
• Provide guidance to development teams on water and sewer requirements during site selection and design phases.
• Drive early procurement strategies and risk-reduction initiatives to optimize project outcomes.
• Conduct factory inspections and witness tests for critical utility equipment.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and executive-level presentations for leadership and stakeholders.
• Monitor compliance with regulatory requirements and maintain strong relationships with local authorities.
• Support business case development and contribute to strategic recommendations for leadership.
• Implement process improvements to strengthen utility program efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Track and report KPIs related to permitting timelines, cost performance, and milestone completion.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings with development, construction, engineering, and finance teams.
• Oversee on-site project management teams during critical phases of utility installation and commissioning.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. 

Qualifications

• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites and utility facilities.
• Extensive experience in water/wastewater utility project management, heavy civil engineering, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of permitting, regulatory compliance, and utility agreements.
• Proven ability to manage complex infrastructure programs across multiple sites.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and scheduling software.
• Familiarity with cooling systems and their integration with water/wastewater utilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• PMP or equivalent certification is a plus.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience with regulatory authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to implement structured processes and drive operational excellence.
• Experience preparing executive-level reports and presentations.

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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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.