Project Director

Project Type: Data Centre

Employment Type: Contract

Start Date: ASAP

Location: Site Based - Mon-Fri

About the Role

We are currently looking for an experienced Project Director to lead the delivery of a major data centre project in Belgium.

This is a senior leadership position with overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the project from pre-construction through construction, commissioning and final handover.

The successful candidate will take ownership of programme, commercial performance, quality, safety, technical delivery and stakeholder management while leading a large multidisciplinary project team.

This is an opportunity to join a major data centre project and take responsibility for a high value, technically complex delivery environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the project from pre-construction through to handover
• Lead and manage the wider project team across construction, engineering, commercial, procurement, QA/QC and commissioning
• Establish and maintain project delivery strategies, programmes and key milestones
• Manage client relationships and act as a senior point of contact throughout the project
• Coordinate main contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and specialist contractors
• Monitor project performance against programme, budget, scope, quality and contractual requirements
• Identify project risks and implement effective mitigation strategies
• Oversee procurement and ensure critical materials, equipment and services are delivered in line with the programme
• Review and challenge project programmes, construction sequencing and resource requirements
• Ensure strong coordination between CSA, electrical, mechanical and specialist systems
• Oversee QA/QC and ensure works are delivered in accordance with project specifications and standards
• Drive commissioning and handover activities through to successful completion
• Manage variations, commercial issues and contractual matters alongside the commercial team
• Lead regular project meetings and provide clear reporting to senior management and the client
• Ensure all health, safety and environmental requirements are maintained across the project
• Drive a strong culture around safety, quality, accountability and project delivery
• Ensure final documentation, testing, commissioning and handover requirements are completed

Technical Environment

The project will involve a complex mission critical environment including:

• MV/LV electrical distribution
• Switchgear and transformers
• UPS and generators
• ATS/STS and busway systems
• Mechanical and HVAC systems
• Chillers and cooling systems
• BMS and EPMS
• Fire and life safety systems
• Controls and specialist systems
• Data centre commissioning and integrated systems testing

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience within major construction or engineering projects
• Previous experience operating at Project Director, Senior Project Manager or equivalent level
• Strong data centre or mission critical experience
• Proven experience delivering large scale projects from pre-construction through commissioning and handover
• Experience managing high value projects and large multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of MEP and complex building services
• Proven experience managing main contractors, subcontractors, consultants and suppliers
• Strong commercial and contractual understanding
• Experience managing project programmes, budgets, risks and change
• Strong client and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Engineering, construction management or relevant technical qualification preferred
• Experience with hyperscale data centre projects would be highly advantageous
• Previous European project experience preferred
• Right to work in Belgium / EU work authorisation

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who has already operated at senior project leadership level and is comfortable taking full ownership of a major project.

You should be commercially aware, technically strong and confident managing senior stakeholders while leading large project teams.

Most importantly, you will need a proven track record of delivering large scale data centre or mission critical projects safely, on programme and to a high standard.