Acceptance Handover Manager - DC/Facility

Position Objective:

Responsible for planning, managing, and controlling the acceptance and handover process for the data centre and technical buildings project, ensuring that all completed works and systems are inspected, tested, and verified against the contractual, design, and performance requirements before acceptance, and that the facility is handed over with complete documentation, closed punch lists, and a fully prepared operations team. The Acceptance Handover Manager acts as the focal point between construction, testing and commissioning, and operations, and reports progress, readiness, and risks to the Sr. Project Manager.

Job Description & Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage the project acceptance and handover plan, defining the stages, acceptance criteria, responsibilities, and documentation requirements for each system and facility area.
• Review contractor testing and commissioning plans, method statements, and Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) to ensure alignment with the acceptance criteria and contractual requirements.
• Coordinate and witness factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and integrated systems tests (IST) for critical infrastructure, including power, cooling, fire detection and suppression, and ELV/BMS systems.
• Verify that completed works comply with the approved drawings, specifications, and contract requirements prior to initiating the acceptance process.
• Manage the snagging and punch-list process, including inspections, categorisation and assignment of items, progress tracking, and verification of close-out.
• Control the compilation and review of acceptance and handover documentation, including test records, calibration certificates, warranties, As-Built drawings, O&M manuals, spare parts lists, and training records.
• Chair and attend acceptance and handover meetings with contractors, consultants, the client, and operations teams, and track agreed actions through to closure.
• Plan and coordinate partial and phased handovers, and manage the interfaces between construction, testing and commissioning, and operations activities.
• Ensure that training of the client's operations and maintenance staff is planned, delivered, and documented as part of the handover requirements.
• Prepare and issue acceptance certificates, handover packs, and close-out reports for client review and sign-off.
• Maintain the acceptance and handover register and report readiness, risks, and outstanding items to the Sr. Project Manager.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in construction, testing and commissioning, or handover of major projects, including at least five (5) years in acceptance or handover management for data centres, mission-critical facilities or mega infrastructure projects.
• Sound knowledge of data centre critical systems and their testing and acceptance requirements, including MV/LV power distribution, UPS and generator systems, precision cooling, fire detection and suppression, and ELV/BMS systems.
• Practical experience with staged commissioning and integrated systems testing for mission-critical facilities.
• Strong command of QA/QC documentation, handover procedures, and defects liability period management.
• Recognised commissioning or project management certification (e.g., CxA, PMP) is an advantage.
• Fluency in Arabic, with strong English communication and stakeholder management skills