Location: Frankfurt, London, Paris, or other EMEA locations
Department: Development & Construction
Our client is experiencing rapid expansion across EMEA and requires an experienced Technical Director, Construction to lead the technical execution of hyperscale and mission‑critical data centre developments from pre‑construction through to commissioning and operational handover.
This is a senior owner‑side leadership role, carrying full accountability for the technical integrity, constructability, quality, performance, and operational readiness of data centre projects throughout the entire project lifecycle. The position is highly site‑focused and hands‑on; the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time on active construction sites across EMEA, acting as the owner’s technical authority in the field.
You will work directly with General Contractors, trade contractors, consultants, vendors, commissioning agents, and internal stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with the approved Basis of Design (BoD), technical specifications, contractual requirements, and operational performance standards.
We are looking for an individual with extensive hyperscale or mission‑critical data centre experience, a strong background in both electrical and mechanical systems, proven ground‑up construction delivery, and a demonstrated ability to manage projects from design and pre‑construction through construction, commissioning, and final handover.
Critical Requirements (Non‑Negotiable)
Our client has identified the following as absolute must‑haves for this role:
- Extensive hyperscale, colocation, or mission‑critical data centre experience – this is non‑negotiable.
- Proven ground‑up construction experience delivering large‑scale infrastructure or mission‑critical facilities.
- Strong electrical and mechanical systems expertise – deep knowledge of both disciplines is essential.
- Full project lifecycle experience – design, pre‑construction, construction, commissioning, testing, and operational handover.
- Direct experience working with General Contractors, trade contractors, consultants, and commissioning teams.
- Comfort with a site‑centric role – the majority of time will be spent on active construction sites providing hands‑on technical leadership.
- Strong understanding of mission‑critical facility design, construction methodologies, commissioning processes, and operational requirements.
- Significant travel across EMEA – this is a regional role with extensive mobility.
Key Responsibilities
Owner’s Technical Leadership – Construction
- Act as the technical authority during construction, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with the approved Basis of Design (BoD), technical specifications, and contractual requirements.
- Serve as the owner’s primary on‑site technical representative throughout project execution.
- Lead technical reviews of construction‑stage design deliverables, shop drawings, RFIs, technical queries, and material submittals.
- Provide constructability input during pre‑construction, including sequencing, logistics planning, temporary works, phasing strategies, and interface management.
- Support development and design teams during early project phases to identify and mitigate construction and commissioning risks.
- Drive technical decision‑making and resolution of complex construction challenges throughout project delivery.
Construction Delivery & Field Leadership
- Provide hands‑on technical leadership and oversight on active construction sites on multiple projects.
- Work closely with General Contractors and trade contractors to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant project execution.
- Monitor field installation activities to ensure alignment with design intent and quality requirements.
- Support construction teams in resolving technical issues, coordination challenges, and field conflicts.
- Participate in site walks, progress reviews, technical inspections, and project readiness assessments.
- Ensure contractor performance aligns with project objectives, quality standards, and operational requirements.
Quality Assurance, QA/QC & Risk Management
- Establish and oversee robust QA/QC frameworks covering Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Life Safety systems.
- Ensure construction quality aligns with Basis of Design requirements, Sequence of Operations (SoO), commissioning plans, and operational readiness objectives.
- Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies across design, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.
- Lead technical issue resolution, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and management of non‑conformances.
- Ensure lessons learned and quality improvements are incorporated across the project portfolio.
MEP & Mission Critical Systems Oversight
- Provide deep technical oversight of critical electrical, mechanical, life safety, controls, and Building Management Systems (BMS) within hyperscale and mission‑critical environments.
- Review and validate the installation, integration, and performance of critical infrastructure systems.
- Ensure electrical, mechanical, and controls systems are fully coordinated and integrated to achieve required resiliency, redundancy, reliability and efficiency targets.
- Support testing, validation, and troubleshooting of critical systems throughout construction and commissioning.
- Verify compliance with operational requirements and performance objectives.
Stakeholder & Contractor Management
- Act as the primary technical interface between the company and external stakeholders – including designers, consultants, General Contractors, trade contractors, vendors, commissioning agents and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
- Support Project Directors, Construction Directors, and Construction Managers in technical decision‑making and escalation management.
- Build collaborative relationships with project stakeholders while maintaining accountability for technical performance.
- Influence contractor performance through technical leadership, clarity of requirements, and effective issue resolution.
Commissioning, Handover & Operational Readiness
- Ensure technical readiness for Level 1 through Level 5 commissioning activities.
- Support Integrated Systems Testing (IST), reliability testing, performance validation, and final acceptance processes.
- Coordinate closely with commissioning agents and project teams to ensure successful system testing and operational readiness.
- Verify that as‑built documentation, asset data, testing records, and O&M manuals meet operational requirements.
- Support the successful handover of facilities to operations teams, ensuring long‑term reliability, maintainability and performance.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Drive technical standardisation and continuous improvement initiatives across EMEA projects.
- Support value engineering efforts that improve cost, schedule, constructability, sustainability and operational performance without compromising quality or resiliency.
- Promote best practices across design, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.
- Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments and innovations relevant to hyperscale data centre construction and operations.
Required Experience & Skills
Technical & Industry Expertise
- Minimum 10+ years of experience delivering data centre, mission‑critical or large‑scale infrastructure construction projects.
- Proven experience in an Owner’s Representative, Developer, EPC, Design‑Build or Technical Leadership role.
- Extensive hyperscale, colocation or mission‑critical data centre experience (required).
- Strong understanding of data centre design principles, construction methodologies, commissioning processes and operational requirements.
- Proven ground‑up construction experience delivering complex facilities from site development through commissioning and handover.
- Extensive experience with critical electrical systems – including medium‑voltage distribution, generators, UPS systems, switchgear, protection systems, controls and power distribution infrastructure.
- Extensive experience with critical mechanical systems – including chilled water systems, cooling plants, CRAH/CRAC systems, heat rejection equipment and associated controls.
- Strong understanding of integrated MEP systems and mission‑critical infrastructure environments.
- Thorough understanding of EMEA building codes, electrical and mechanical standards, commissioning protocols and health and safety regulations.
Leadership & Delivery
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical delivery across multiple concurrent projects.
- Strong contractor management and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proven ability to influence project outcomes through technical leadership and decision‑making.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and problem‑solving capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, complex, multi‑country project environments.
Languages
- Business‑fluent English is required.
- German is strongly preferred.
- Additional European languages are advantageous.
Education & Background
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline.
- Advanced degree is preferred but not required.
- A combination of design, engineering, construction, commissioning and operational experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience within data centre developers, owner/operators, mission‑critical contractors, EPC organisations or hyperscale environments is highly desirable.
