Project Director - Data Centres

Overview

As Project Director – Data Centres, you lead major, multidisciplinary data centre and mission-critical projects in the UK, from strategy and feasibility through design, construction support and commissioning. You act as a trusted senior adviser to developers, operators and investors, shaping delivery strategies under complex constraints. You promote safety, technical excellence and long-term operational readiness while growing GHD’s UK data centre footprint. This role offers high-impact leadership across cross-functional teams in a fast-evolving market.

Responsibilities

• Direct complex data centre and mission-critical projects with accountability for scope, programme, commercial performance, quality, risk and client outcomes
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across project management, advisory, architecture, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, power and utilities, water, sustainability, ICT, security and commissioning
• Guide projects through site selection, feasibility, business case, planning, grid and utility interfaces, design, procurement, construction support and handover
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and translate technical and commercial complexity into clear decisions
• Anticipate and manage constraints such as power availability, cooling, water, long-lead equipment, constructability and resilience
• Lead proposals and strategic pursuits to strengthen client accounts and grow the UK pipeline
• Connect delivery with GHD’s international data centre specialists to bring global experience to local projects
• Champion safety, technical excellence, inclusive leadership and development of project management capability

Key requirements

• Substantial experience directing large, technically complex data centre or mission-critical projects
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary consultancy or engineering teams across project lifecycle
• Commercial ownership of significant commissions (contracts, change, forecasting, risk, performance)
• Credibility with senior clients and ability to influence developers, operators, contractors, utilities and partners
• Solid understanding of data centre delivery systems, especially power, cooling, resilience, commissioning and operational continuity
• Experience in winning work, shaping propositions and converting client relationships into opportunities
• Decisive, collaborative leadership in a demanding, evolving market
• Relevant professional qualification; chartered status or equivalent is desirable
• Decisive leadership
• Collaborative teamwork
• Stakeholder management
• Power systems understanding
• Cooling and resilience concepts
• commissioning and operational continuity

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