Associate Director, Lab Feasibility and Technical Assessment

Associate Director, Feasibility & Technical Assessment

Turner & Townsend is seeking an exceptional Associate Director to lead Feasibility and Technical Assessment for a large tech client. This pivotal role operates at the convergence of engineering, lab planning, and project controls, overseeing the early-phase evaluation of both technical and non-technical projects, from single tool installations to intricate facility modifications. Leveraging deep onsite knowledge of building portfolios, extensive construction and MEP expertise, and a rigorous analytical mindset, the Associate Director assesses technical viability, identifies critical code and Fire/Life Safety (FLS) triggers, and surfaces risks before capital commitment. The role is instrumental in determining if projects align with small works parameters or necessitate standalone capital project status, ensuring technical soundness and strategic alignment through collaboration with cross-functional partners, Architects & Engineers (A&E), and General Contractors (GCs). Furthermore, this position is key to driving continuous improvement by refining processes and templates across the Bay Area, So. Cal., and PNW feasibility programs. This job is part of the Program Management function. They are responsible for the creation and delivery of strategic programs or projects representing our client's major initiatives.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as the primary contact for facility-impacting user requests, translating operational needs into clear facility requirements.
• Triage incoming requests based on scale, complexity, and risk to determine the appropriate execution pathway, recommending small works, standalone capital projects, or alternative solutions.
• Conduct site verifications to assess existing conditions, validate Utility Data Sheets (UDS), and align with long-term building roadmaps.
• Perform comprehensive technical reviews of MEP and infrastructure, validating system capacities against proposed demands.
• Identify critical regulatory triggers (e.g., CBC, CFC, CMC, Title 24, BAAQMD, Seismic, MAQ) and coordinate EHS compliance.
• Proactively identify and mitigate technical unknowns, long-lead constraints, permitting hurdles, and shutdown windows.
• Drive coordinated reviews and formal sign-offs across diverse stakeholders including Facilities Engineering, EHS, Lab Planning, and Project Controls.
• Engage external A&E firms and GCs for specialized guidance, constructability assessments, logistics validation, and ROM cost estimates.
• Maintain clear client communication, managing expectations regarding technical constraints, schedules, and budgets.
• Produce comprehensive, standardized Feasibility Reports detailing executive summaries, business justifications, scope, EHS compliance, technical checklists, and calibrated ROM costs.
• Manage a Scope Validation Tracker to provide real-time visibility into the feasibility pipeline and project risk profiles.
• Contribute to the maturation of the small works program, adopting PNW methodologies, and customizing templates, SLAs, and SOPs for the California market to enhance predictability and accelerate project delivery.
• Facilitate seamless execution handoffs to Small Works Implementation Project Managers with pre-validated schedules, defensible budgets, and clear execution playbooks.

What You'll Need:

• 10+ years of progressive project and program management experience, with a significant concentration in MEP disciplines.
• A minimum of 5+ years of dedicated project management experience within data center environments, coupled with a deep understanding of Data Center MEP infrastructure, including substations.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred (ideally in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field). A combination of relevant experience and education will be considered.
• PgMP or PMP certifications are highly preferred.
• Proven track record in project staffing, team leadership, strong communication skills, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and talent retention.
• A demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative methods that transcend existing solutions, solving unique problems with broad business impact.
• Strong organizational skills and an advanced inquisitive mindset. Proficiency with Google Office Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) is essential, Scheduling tools MS Project, Smart Sheets (Critical Path Analysis).
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills, including the ability to perform complex financial calculations (percentages, fractions, forecasting) critical for project cost control and reporting.
• A natural inclination towards a "client-first" philosophy, consistently delivering exceptional solutions seeking service and fostering strong partnerships.
• Keen interest in AI technology and its applications, with an enthusiasm for leveraging tools like Gemini to streamline business processes and enhance overall efficiency.

Turner & Townsend carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate's education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for this position is $180,000 annually and the maximum salary for this position is $200,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. Successful candidates will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on Turner & Townsend's applicable benefit program. This role will provide the following benefits: 401(K), Dental insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, and Vision insurance.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that effective January 1, 2025, CBRE Project Management and Turner &Townsend were consolidated into a single global business entity. As a candidate applying for a position, you should be aware that while your initial employment may be with CBRE, you will subsequently transfer directly to Turner & Townsend at a date to be determined.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE has a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Candidate Accommodations: CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company's success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at recruitingaccommodations@cbre.com or via telephone at +1 866 225 3099 (U.S.) and +1 866 388 4346 (Canada).