Spencer Ogden
Project Director - Data Centres
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PROJECT DIRECTOR - DATA CENTRES
Location: London
About the opportunity
A leading global engineering, management and development consultancy is seeking an experienced Data Centre Projects Director to lead the successful delivery of major data centre developments across the UK and Europe. The organisation operates internationally across multiple sectors, delivering complex engineering, infrastructure and development projects. Its Buildings business brings together engineering, design and project delivery expertise to create high-performing places and infrastructure. Within its growing data centre portfolio, the business works across disciplines to help clients plan, design and deliver resilient, efficient and sustainable mission-critical facilities.
About the role
This is a senior Buildings leadership position with a clear focus on project outcomes, multidisciplinary coordination, client confidence and delivery excellence. You will provide leadership from early planning and design through construction, commissioning and handover. Working with project managers, technical leads, clients, contractors and supply chain partners, you will establish robust governance, manage delivery risk and create the conditions for integrated teams to perform at their best. Alongside leading strategically important commissions, you will help strengthen client relationships, support selected pursuits and build project delivery capability across the wider data centre portfolio.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the successful delivery of major data centre projects and programmes, with accountability for safety, quality, programme, commercial performance and client outcomes.
- Act as Project Director or Programme Director on strategically important commissions across the UK and Europe.
- Establish clear project governance, decision-making routes, reporting arrangements and assurance reviews.
- Provide visible leadership across multidisciplinary Buildings teams, aligning mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, architectural and specialist inputs.
- Work with project managers and technical leads to develop delivery strategies, resource plans, schedules and controls appropriate to each commission.
- Identify, assess and manage project risks and opportunities, escalating issues early and supporting timely resolution.
- Build trusted relationships with clients, developers, operators, contractors, consultants and supply chain partners.
- Chair project and programme reviews, ensuring actions, dependencies and decisions are understood and owned.
- Oversee commercial performance, contractual obligations, change management and forecasting in partnership with commercial and project controls colleagues.
- Promote consistent delivery standards, lessons learned and continuous improvement across commissions.
- Support strategic pursuits, proposals and client presentations by bringing credible project delivery insight.
- Mentor project managers and future project directors, strengthening leadership and delivery capability across the business.
- Collaborate across the wider organisation to connect clients with the right expertise and provide integrated solutions.
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Candidate specification
The successful candidate will ideally have:
- Significant experience leading the delivery of large, complex data centre, mission-critical, building or infrastructure projects.
- A strong track record as a Project Director, Programme Director, Project Executive or comparable senior delivery leader.
- Experience across multiple project stages, ideally including design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate complex interfaces in fast-paced delivery environments.
- Strong knowledge of project governance, programme management, project controls, risk management and commercial delivery.
- Excellent client and stakeholder leadership skills, with the confidence to engage at project, programme and executive level.
- The judgement to balance strategic oversight with timely intervention in detailed delivery challenges.
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style and a commitment to developing people and high-performing teams.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, commercial awareness and strong organisational capability.
- Flexibility to travel to client and project locations where required.
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Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering, construction, project management or a related discipline.
- Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional institution is preferred.
Additional information
The position is UK-based with opportunities to work across European projects. Candidates must have the existing right to work in the UK, as Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not currently available for this position. The organisation operates a flexible and hybrid working model, with arrangements designed around client, team and individual requirements. A comprehensive benefits package is available, including:
- Competitive pension contributions
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- Private medical insurance
- Health and wellbeing support
- Flexible benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Enhanced family and carers leave
- Professional membership support
- Learning and development opportunities
- Employee ownership and performance-related reward
- Employee networks and community initiatives
The organisation is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
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