Project Director - Data Center Construction

Location: Spain or Finland
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Function: Construction & Project Delivery

About the Opportunity

We are representing a leading data center developer seeking an experienced Project Director to lead the delivery of large-scale mission-critical facilities. This role will take full ownership of project execution from construction through commissioning and operational handover, ensuring safe, on-time, and on-budget delivery of complex data center developments.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale data center projects, with accountability for safety, schedule, cost, quality, and scope.
• Act as the primary site-based representative, managing contractors, consultants, suppliers, and key project stakeholders.
• Establish project governance frameworks, including scheduling, budgeting, risk management, reporting, and escalation processes.
• Drive achievement of critical project milestones, including construction, energization, commissioning, and handover activities.
• Lead recovery planning and mitigation strategies when project risks or delays arise.

Design & Technical Coordination

• Coordinate design development activities with engineering teams and external consultants to ensure constructability, compliance, and cost efficiency.
• Manage design changes and assess impacts on cost, schedule, and performance.
• Oversee technical reviews, RFIs, submittals, and issue resolution throughout project execution.
• Ensure customer requirements are incorporated and successfully delivered.

Construction, Cost & Schedule Management

• Manage general contractors and specialist subcontractors to ensure contract compliance and project performance.
• Take ownership of project budgets, forecasting, change management, cost reporting, and commercial controls.
• Drive project scheduling, progress monitoring, site logistics, sequencing, and trade coordination.
• Ensure quality standards are achieved through inspections, testing programs, and defect management processes.
• Support procurement activities, including tendering, contractor selection, and contract negotiations.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Manage permitting, authority approvals, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Coordinate utility interfaces and critical infrastructure energization milestones.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with local regulations and internal governance standards.

Commissioning & Operational Handover

• Oversee commissioning programs, integrated systems testing, and performance validation activities.
• Ensure documentation, training materials, as-built records, and operational manuals are completed to required standards.
• Lead operational readiness reviews and support customer handover activities.

Stakeholder Management & Team Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead multidisciplinary project teams.
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on project performance, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Manage customer interactions throughout project delivery, including reporting, audits, and site visits.
• Collaborate with procurement, legal, finance, and corporate functions to ensure project objectives are achieved.

Requirements

Experience

• 15+ years of construction project management experience, with significant involvement in large-scale data center developments.
• Proven track record delivering complex mission-critical facilities, industrial infrastructure, or major MEP-intensive projects.
• Strong understanding of data center infrastructure including power, cooling, backup generation, and commissioning processes.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, commissioning teams, and multiple stakeholders across major construction projects.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen in contract management, variations, claims management, and cost control.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to drive project outcomes in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent planning, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Fluent English communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work from project locations as required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects for hyperscale or mission-critical environments.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Chartered Engineer status, or equivalent.
• Strong commissioning and integrated systems testing experience.
• International project delivery experience across multiple countries.
• Experience building and scaling project delivery teams within high-growth environments.

This job description outlines the general scope and responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications.

Please apply with your CV if interested, or reach out for a confidential discussion.