London / Madrid / Frankfurt / Nordics roles available - Lead end-to-end delivery of hyperscale/colocation data center projects (new build, expansion, or live-site upgrades) from design through commissioning and handover. You’ll drive safety, scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk while coordinating multidisciplinary teams (CSA & MEP), vendors (UPS, generators, cooling, BMS, fire), and commissioning agents to achieve predictable outcomes.
* Employment context: This role may sit with an end-user/colocation operator (Client-side) or a Tier-1/Tier-2 General Contractor (GC).
* Reporting to: Program Director / Construction Director / Regional Delivery Lead.
* Geography: London, Franfurt, Madrid or Nordics.
What You’ll Own
Core (applies to both)
* Delivery governance: Own the integrated master schedule (IMS), stage gates, change control, and weekly/monthly reporting (progress, risk, cost, HSE, quality).
* Budget & cost: Establish and control project budget, contingencies, cash flow, and forecasts; lead value engineering without eroding technical resilience.
* Contracts & procurement: Plan procurement of CSA/MEP packages, OFCI/OFCI equipment (UPS, generators, switchgear, CRAH/CRAC, chillers, cooling towers, BMS/EPMS), and long-lead items; manage subcontracts, purchase orders, and claims.
* Design & coordination: Lead design reviews (30/60/90/IFC), drive constructability, maintain requirements traceability, and resolve clashes across civil, structural, architectural, electrical, mechanical, controls, and fire systems.
* Risk & change: Maintain risk register and change log; proactively manage scope growth, interfaces, and site constraints.
* Schedule certainty: Sequence civil works, steel & envelope, fit-out, containment, power-on, MEP first-of-kind, and progressive commissioning (L1–L5) to achieve MEP substantial completion and Ready-for-Service dates.
* Quality & technical compliance: Enforce ITPs, FAT/SAT protocols, redlines/as-builts, O&M, spares, and technical submittal cycles to meet specs, Uptime/TIA-942/EN 50600 requirements.
* Commissioning leadership: Chair commissioning planning & readiness, align vendors/CxA on L1–L5 (FAT, pre-functional, functional, IST), manage defect triage and punch-list to closeout.
* HSE leadership: Model a zero-harm culture; ensure method statements, permits, and high-risk activities (energization, lifts, hot works, confined spaces) are planned and controlled.
* Stakeholders & comms: Run structured meetings (Design, Coordination, Progress, Risk, HSE, Commercial, Cx), and keep executives informed with clear, outcome-focused reporting.
* Live site discipline (for brownfield): Plan shutdowns/MOPs/SOPs/EOPs to protect live capacity and SLAs.
Minimum Qualifications
* 7+ years delivering mission-critical projects; 5+ years specifically in data centers or comparable critical infrastructure (hospitals, pharma, semiconductor).
* Proven end-to-end ownership of at least one data center from early design through L4/L5 commissioning (or multiple expansions/phased programs).
* Deep working knowledge of MEP systems (MV/LV power, UPS, gens, switchgear, earthing, cooling plants, CRAH/CRAC, hydronics, controls), plus CSA sequencing and fit-out.
* Strong command of commissioning frameworks (L1–L5 / FAT–IST) and vendor coordination.
* Solid commercial acumen: contracts (FIDIC/NEC/JCT or similar), procurement, change/claims, and forecasting.
* Tools: Primavera P6/MS Project, BIM/3D model review (Navis/Revizto), cost tools, and standard collaboration platforms.
Preferred/Plus
* Certifications: PMP/Prince2, CMRP/CM, LEED/BREEAM, Uptime/TIA-942/EN 50600 familiarity, NEBOSH/IOSH (HSE), ITIL (ops interface).
* Electrically biased PMs: HV/MV switching awareness, NFPA 70E/arc-flash fundamentals.
* Mechanically biased PMs: chilled water & DX topologies, free cooling, sequence of operations.
* Experience with brownfield/live upgrades and complex energization/MOP orchestration.
* Multi-site program coordination (campus builds, repeatable design standards).
Key Responsibilities by Phase
* Concept & Design: Define OPR, basis of design, scope split (CSA/MEP/OFCI), delivery strategy, capex, schedule, and risk baseline.
* Procurement: Lock long-lead items; align FAT dates to commissioning path; structure warranty & spares; ensure logistics & customs plans.
* Construction: Drive 3–6-week look-ahead, constraint removal, RFIs, submittals, inspections, QA/ITPs, and progressive turnover by system/area.
* Commissioning: Freeze Cx plan, lead L0/L1 readiness, oversee L2/L3 pre-functionals, coordinate L4 functionals, and execute IST (L5); manage defects and reliability soak.
* Handover & Closeout: Complete O&M, training, as-builts, asset tags, CMMS loads, spares; manage PAC/FAC and warranty start; capture lessons learned.
Success Metrics (KPIs)
* Schedule certainty: Variance to IMS on MEP substantial completion / Ready-for-Service.
* Cost control: Final account vs. approved budget; change order hit-rate and recovery.
* Quality/commissioning: First-time pass rate on L3/L4 tests; defects per MW at RFS.
* HSE: TRIR/LTIF, high-risk permit compliance, and audit closeouts.
* Stakeholder satisfaction: Owner/tenant readiness and zero critical defects at handover.
Leadership & Soft Skills
* Calm, decisive communicator with the ability to simplify complexity and drive alignment.
* Negotiation and claims posture that is assertive but solution-oriented.
* Habit of “owning the outcome”: proactive risk sensing, relentless follow-through.
Practicals
* Travel: Site based.
* Security & compliance: Willingness to meet site/client background and safety requirements.