Construction Project Director - #2770906

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DIRECTOR - DATA CENTRES

Germany | Contract | Main Contractor | Fly-In / Fly-Out Accepted

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Construction Project Director to lead the delivery of a major data centre construction project in Germany on behalf of an established main contractor.

This is a senior contract appointment requiring a proven construction leader with extensive experience delivering large-scale hyperscale, colocation or mission-critical data centre developments.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for on-site construction operations, project execution, programme performance, commercial management, subcontractor delivery, health and safety, quality and successful project handover.

Candidates based across the UK and Europe are encouraged to apply. Fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) arrangements are acceptable, subject to an agreed site attendance and rotation schedule.

Contract Details

• Position: Construction Project Director - Data Centres
• Location: Germany
• Engagement: Contract
• Project Type: Major Data Centre Development
• Reporting To: Regional Operations Director / Construction Director
• Working Arrangement: Site-based, with FIFO rotations considered
• Contract Duration: To be confirmed
• Daily Rate: Competitive, dependent on experience
• Start Date: To be agreed

Key Responsibilities1. Construction Leadership & Delivery

• Assume overall responsibility for the successful construction delivery of a major data centre project.
• Lead and manage the site-based construction management team, including Project Managers, Construction Managers, Package Managers, Engineers and support functions.
• Develop and implement construction execution strategies aligned with project objectives and contractual obligations.
• Oversee construction activities across CSA, MEP and associated infrastructure packages.
• Ensure effective coordination between design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover teams.
• Establish clear accountability, reporting structures and performance expectations across the project delivery team.
• Drive productivity, construction sequencing and operational efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

2. Programme Management

• Take ownership of the master construction programme and ensure achievement of critical project milestones.
• Work closely with planning teams to monitor progress, critical-path activities and programme risks.
• Lead recovery planning and mitigation strategies where programme delays or performance issues arise.
• Ensure subcontractor programmes align with the overall construction schedule.
• Manage interfaces between civil works, structural construction, building envelope, MEP installation and commissioning.
• Provide accurate progress forecasts and programme reporting to senior management and client stakeholders.

3. Commercial & Contractual Management

• Maintain executive oversight of project budgets, cost control, forecasting and commercial performance.
• Work closely with the Commercial Director, Quantity Surveyors and Contracts Managers to protect project profitability.
• Oversee subcontractor procurement, contract administration, variations, claims and change management.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual and delivery risks.
• Ensure project expenditure, resource allocation and procurement activities remain aligned with approved budgets.
• Support the resolution of contractual disputes and commercial negotiations.

4. Subcontractor & Supply Chain Management

• Direct and manage the performance of major subcontractors and specialist trade contractors.
• Establish clear performance expectations relating to programme, quality, safety and productivity.
• Oversee subcontractor mobilisation, resource planning, sequencing and delivery.
• Manage construction interfaces between multiple contractors operating simultaneously.
• Identify underperformance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure effective management of long-lead equipment, materials and critical procurement activities.

5. Technical Construction Oversight

• Provide senior construction oversight across all major CSA and MEP workstreams.
• Ensure construction activities are coordinated with approved designs, technical specifications and project requirements.
• Oversee installation interfaces involving critical power systems, cooling infrastructure, generators, UPS, switchgear and associated mechanical and electrical systems.
• Work with technical and engineering teams to resolve design coordination issues and construction constraints.
• Ensure construction completion, snagging, system readiness and handover activities are effectively managed.
• Support commissioning teams through testing, integrated systems testing and final operational handover.

6. Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Take overall leadership responsibility for health, safety and environmental performance across the construction site.
• Promote a strong safety culture among direct employees, subcontractors and delivery partners.
• Ensure compliance with applicable German construction regulations, safety requirements and project standards.
• Oversee quality management, inspections, non-conformance reporting and corrective actions.
• Ensure construction activities are delivered to the required technical and workmanship standards.

7. Client & Senior Stakeholder Management

• Act as the main contractor's senior construction representative on the project.
• Maintain strong working relationships with the client, developer, consultants and other project stakeholders.
• Lead senior-level construction progress meetings and project performance reviews.
• Provide transparent reporting on programme, commercial performance, safety, quality and project risks.
• Manage escalations and resolve critical project delivery issues.
• Represent the main contractor professionally in all senior client and stakeholder engagements.

Candidate RequirementsEssential

• Extensive experience in senior construction leadership roles, ideally as a Construction Project Director, Project Director or Construction Director.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale data centre construction projects for a main contractor or general contractor.
• Strong experience managing multidisciplinary CSA and MEP construction packages.
• Demonstrable responsibility for major project programmes, substantial construction budgets and large subcontractor teams.
• Experience managing construction projects from mobilisation through mechanical completion, commissioning and handover.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness, including subcontractor management, change control and project risk.
• Ability to lead large site-based project teams and coordinate multiple workstreams.
• Proven experience managing demanding construction programmes and resolving complex delivery challenges.
• Strong client-facing communication and senior stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent professional English.
• Availability to work on-site in Germany under an agreed contract or FIFO arrangement.

Highly Desirable

• Previous experience delivering hyperscale data centres in Germany or mainland Europe.
• Experience working for a tier-one main contractor or major international construction organisation.
• Previous responsibility for projects with significant CSA and MEP scope.
• Knowledge of German construction practices, VOB/B contractual frameworks and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing major electrical infrastructure, power distribution and mechanical cooling installations.
• Experience working with international hyperscale data centre clients.
• German language skills.
• Relevant degree in Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.

Leadership Expectations

We are seeking a commercially astute, delivery-focused construction leader who can take full ownership of a complex project and drive performance across all construction disciplines.

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Project Ownership: Accountability for construction delivery, programme, safety, quality and commercial outcomes.
• Main Contractor Experience: A clear understanding of subcontractor management, contractual obligations, project profitability and site execution.
• Strong Leadership: The ability to manage senior construction teams, establish accountability and address underperformance.
• Data Centre Expertise: A detailed understanding of mission-critical construction, CSA/MEP coordination and commissioning interfaces.
• Commercial Awareness: Experience protecting project margins, managing change and mitigating contractual risks.
• Decisive Problem-Solving: The ability to identify delivery challenges early and implement practical solutions.

Location & Working Arrangements

The project is based in Germany and requires an experienced leader capable of maintaining a strong on-site presence.

Candidates based in Germany, the UK or wider Europe will be considered.

Fly-in/fly-out working arrangements are acceptable, with rotations and associated travel or accommodation provisions to be agreed.

The successful candidate must be able to provide consistent leadership, maintain project delivery continuity and attend critical project meetings and milestones.

Application

To be considered, candidates should provide an up-to-date CV detailing:

• Major data centre projects delivered, including project value, capacity (MW) and scope of responsibility.
• Previous main contractor or general contractor experience.
• Size and structure of project teams and subcontractor packages managed.
• Experience delivering projects in Germany or across Europe.
• Contract availability and notice period.
• Expected daily rate.
• Current location and preferred FIFO rotation.

Contract opportunity | Germany | Major Data Centre Construction | Main Contractor | FIFO Considered