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. 

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Director of Development to join our data center team and lead end-to-end data center and infrastructure development, overseeing land transactions, permitting, site and facility design, utility interconnections, and project budgeting. This role manages complex development negotiations, guides location strategy and land procurement, and collaborates closely with finance, construction, engineering, sales, legal, and external partners. The Director prepares business cases for executive approval, supports product and sales initiatives, identifies new market opportunities, and maintains strategic relationships with regional stakeholders to ensure alignment across corporate priorities and development objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all phases of development for data center projects, from site selection through project handoff.
• Oversee land acquisition, due diligence, and negotiation of purchase agreements.
• Manage permitting and entitlement processes to ensure timely approvals.
• Coordinate site and facility design with engineering and construction teams.
• Develop and maintain utility interconnection strategies for power and fiber.
• Prepare and present business cases for executive review and approval.
• Support product development and sales initiatives with accurate site data and timelines.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities for expansion.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, utility providers, and regional stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with zoning, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor project budgets and financial performance throughout development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with legal on contract negotiations and risk mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to long-term location strategy and portfolio planning.
• Implement best practices for development processes and reporting.
• Develop and maintain project timelines and critical path schedules to ensure on-time delivery.
• Lead stakeholder engagement sessions to align development objectives with corporate priorities.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform site selection and investment decisions.
• Manage third-party consultants for environmental studies, geotechnical surveys, and traffic impact assessments.
• Support executive leadership in strategic planning and quarterly business reviews.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. 

• Extensive experience in real estate development, site acquisition, or infrastructure development, preferably in mission-critical or data center environments.
• Strong knowledge of permitting, zoning, and entitlement processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex negotiations and multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Familiarity with utility interconnections and infrastructure planning.
• Excellent financial acumen and ability to prepare executive-level business cases.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across different geographies.
• Effective communication and presentation skills for executive and external audiences.
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Ability to travel frequently to project sites and regional offices.
• Experience working with local authorities and regulatory agencies.
• PMP or equivalent certification is a plus.
• Experience managing consultants and external service providers.
• Ability to interpret environmental and geotechnical reports for development planning.
• Proficiency in development management tools and financial modeling software.

*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.