Portfolio Planner - Data Center Construction

From the inception of a project through to completion and beyond, Turner & Townsend help to deliver the outcomes that matter through transformational programs covering the full spectrum of consultancy, project delivery and post-project operations. 

With offices located globally, you're never far away from our services. Working from 113 offices in 46 countries, we make the difference to projects across the real estate, infrastructure and natural resources sectors worldwide. 

Our team is dynamic, innovative and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result, our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world. 

Turner and Townsend are seeking a Data Center Construction Portfolio Planner to lead the development and execution of multi-year retrofit and upgrade plans for a growing portfolio of data center facilities. This role will leverage asset risk models, business risk models, Balanced Scorecard methodologies, and operational targets to align strategic plans with business objectives. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) infrastructure, capacity throughput analysis, and portfolio management methodologies, along with the ability to work effectively within a matrixed environment.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring high availability, reliability, and operational excellence through proactive asset management strategies aligned with ISO-certified frameworks (ISO 55000). The Portfolio Planner will collaborate closely with risk management teams, governance forums, and delivery teams to ensure retrofit and capital efforts meet capacity, risk, and business goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Long-Term Road mapping

• Develop and maintain multi-year retrofit and upgrade plans for aging MEP assets based on risk model outputs, business risk thresholds, and lifecycle assessments.
• Create and update portfolio roadmaps, ensuring dependencies are identified and aligned with business goals, operational requirements, and capacity targets.
• Use Balanced Scorecard methodologies to align planning efforts with key performance indicators (KPIs) across financial, operational, customer, and process goals.
• Refine portfolio strategies based on risk metrics, evolving capacity forecasts, and capital planning priorities to ensure infrastructure reliability and availability.
• Coordinate with risk management teams to integrate asset risk models into planning efforts and align with capital budgeting cycles.
• Establish methodologies for forecasting useful life estimations of critical assets, enabling proactive intervention before failures occur.

Portfolio Planning, Capacity Management & Risk Mitigation

• Collaborate with delivery teams to perform capacity throughput analysis and ensure retrofit projects align with operational demands.
• Monitor and manage portfolio performance metrics such as budget allocations, capacity thresholds, and risk limits to meet financial and operational objectives.
• Provide insights on the prioritization of retrofit projects based on business impact, resource availability, and risk mitigation needs.
• Work closely with governance forums to evaluate and validate retrofit proposals and ensure alignment with portfolio priorities.

Governance, Stakeholder Engagement & Delivery Support

• Act as a liaison between risk management, governance, and delivery teams, facilitating the smooth transition of strategic insights into project execution.
• Participate in governance forums to present portfolio plans, risk assessments, and performance metrics to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Provide delivery teams with clear capacity management guidelines and sequencing recommendations for executing retrofit activities.
• Build consensus across departments and geographies by aligning stakeholders on portfolio goals and timelines.

Data Integration & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with data analysts to identify and close data gaps within CMMS systems, recommending improvements based on field inspections and operational reviews.
• Utilize ISO 55000 principles to refine asset management strategies, ensuring long-term alignment with business objectives.
• Analyze portfolio performance data and identify opportunities for process improvements, leveraging automation and innovative practices where appropriate.
• Stay updated on industry trends and MEP innovations, integrating relevant advancements into portfolio strategies and planning efforts.

• 10+ years of experience in portfolio planning, asset management, capital planning, or a related field, preferably in data center, infrastructure, or MEP-heavy environments.
• Proven ability to develop multi-year roadmaps and capital retrofit plans for large portfolios.
• Expertise in Balanced Scorecard methodologies and other portfolio planning techniques to align strategic objectives with operational KPIs.
• Strong knowledge of MEP systems (cooling, power, controls) and their impact on data center reliability, availability, and maintainability.
• Experience with capacity throughput analysis and ability to align retrofit activities with operational requirements.
• Familiarity with ISO 55000 standards and asset management principles to drive long-term planning strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in risk modeling, including business risk frameworks and asset lifecycle management.
• Proven ability to navigate matrixed organizations and work effectively across departments and geographies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field (Advanced degree preferred).
• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Asset Management (IAM, ISO 55001).
• Experience working with global data center portfolios or large-scale retrofit construction projects.
• Familiarity with systems engineering principles related to IT procurement and implementation.

Technical Skills & Tools

• Advanced proficiency in CMMS systems and portfolio management tools for planning and reporting.
• Expertise in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Python, SQL) to develop capacity models and monitor portfolio performance.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus on strategic objectives.
• Experience with risk management frameworks and tools for assessing business risks and prioritizing capital investments.

Fundamental Consulting & Interpersonal Skills

• Strategic Planning & Execution: Ability to develop and execute long-term strategies within budget and timelines.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build and maintain relationships across matrixed organizations and with external stakeholders.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Analytical mindset with experience diagnosing issues and delivering actionable solutions.
• Continuous Improvement: Strong focus on innovation and process improvement, with a proactive approach to identifying and implementing new solutions.

The salary range for this full-time role is $170K-$175 per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.  Please note Turner & Townsend reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on candidate’s experience and qualifications. 

*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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