Construction Management

• Oversee main contractors and subcontractors throughout the build phase.
• Monitor site progress, quality, health & safety compliance, and risk management.
• Chair site meetings and ensure effective coordination across trades.
• Manage change control processes and resolve construction issues.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead procurement activities in line with public sector regulations.
• Prepare tender documentation, evaluate bids, and appoint contractors and suppliers.
• Administer contracts (e.g., NEC, JCT), ensuring compliance with terms, cost control, and performance standards.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with Estates, IT Services, research groups, and senior leadership.
• Translate technical and construction issues into clear updates for non-specialist stakeholders.
• Engage with external bodies (planning authorities, utility providers, regulators).

Compliance & Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with UK building regulations, CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations, and university policies.
• Act as a key point of responsibility for health & safety throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, audit trails, and risk registers.

Commissioning & Handover

• Oversee testing and commissioning of all building and data centre systems.
• Ensure operational readiness, including documentation, training, and maintenance plans.
• Manage transition to live service in collaboration with IT operations teams.

Sustainability & Energy Efficiency

• Embed sustainable design principles, including energy-efficient cooling, renewable energy integration, and low-carbon construction methods.
• Support the university’s net-zero and environmental targets.
• Monitor and report on energy usage effectiveness (e.g., PUE targets).

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience delivering large-scale construction projects, ideally involving mission-critical facilities (e.g., data centres, laboratories, hospitals).
• Strong understanding of construction project management, including design, procurement, and site delivery.
• Knowledge of MEP systems and critical infrastructure environments.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, and complex stakeholder environments.
• Familiarity with UK construction contracts (e.g., NEC, JCT) and regulatory frameworks (including CDM).
• Excellent budgeting, scheduling, and risk management skills.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable

• Experience delivering data centre facilities specifically (Tier-certified or equivalent).
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure requirements (power density, redundancy, cooling strategies).
• Experience in higher education or public sector capital projects.
• Familiarity with sustainability standards (e.g., BREEAM) and green building practices.
• Professional certifications (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP, RICS, CIOB).

Qualifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Building Services, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Relevant professional accreditation (desirable).