Contracts Lead – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend

  • Chicago, IL
  • $110,000-120,000 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
  • Apply easily
Company DescriptionFrom the inception of a project through to completion and beyond, Turner & Townsend help to deliver the outcomes that matter through transformational projects covering the full spectrum of consultancy, project delivery and post-project operations.With offices located globally, you're never far away from our services. With over 22,000 specialists in more than 60 countries, we blend local knowledge with global insight to tackle challenges of any scale.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.Job DescriptionTurner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Contracts Lead to join our growing Data Center team. This role is responsible for managing all contractual aspects of data center construction projects, ensuring compliance with agreements, and mitigating risks. It involves close collaboration with procurement, legal, and construction teams, and requires strong negotiation skills and a deep understanding of construction contracts.Responsibilities:
  • Overseeing the entire contract lifecycle, from drafting and negotiation to execution and closeout.
  • Identifying and addressing potential contractual risks and liabilities.
  • Ensuring all contractual obligations are met and that projects adhere to legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Lead the end-to-end RFP process for Construction, Equipment, and Professional Services scopes of work, including developing procurement strategies, preparing bid documents, managing stakeholder input, evaluating proposals, and supporting contract award recommendations.
  • Working closely with internal teams (e.g., procurement, legal, project management) and external partners (e.g., general contractors, vendors).
  • Leading negotiations on contract terms and conditions with vendors and other stakeholders.
  • Supporting cost estimation and change order management related to contracts.
  • Tracking and evaluating contract performance against established KPIs.
  • Contributing to the development and refinement of contract management processes and tools.
  • Ensuring alignment with corporate governance and compliance standards, including SOX controls where applicable.
  • Managing claims and dispute resolution processes in coordination with legal counsel.
  • Providing training and guidance to project teams on contract interpretation and compliance.
  • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contract documentation and audit trails.
  • Participating in vendor prequalification and selection processes from a contractual perspective.
  • SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Law, or a related field.
  • Proven experience in contract management, preferably within the construction or infrastructure industry.
  • Strong negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and contract management software (e.g., Aconex, Procore, or similar).
  • Deep understanding of construction contracts, legal terms and conditions, and industry best practices.
  • Familiarity with various contract types (e.g., lump sum, GMP, cost-plus) and delivery methods (e.g., design-build, CMAR).
  • Experience working on large-scale, complex construction projects, ideally in the data center or mission-critical sector.
  • Ability to manage multiple contracts and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
  • Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance standards relevant to construction and infrastructure.
  • Professional certifications such as CCM, PMP, or CPCM are a plus.
Additional InformationThe salary range for this full-time role is $110K-$120K 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/ andAll your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: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.

Turner & Townsend