Project Manager - Data Centres

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER – DATA CENTRES

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

Sector: Hyperscale Data Centres | Mission-Critical Construction

Working Arrangement: Site-Based | Fly-In/Fly-Out (FIFO) Available

Employment Type: Permanent or Contract – TBC

Start Date: Immediate / Short Notice Preferred

Remuneration: Competitive Package, Dependent on Experience

The Opportunity

We are supporting a major international client delivering large-scale, mission-critical data centre developments across Europe.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of a significant data centre construction project in Frankfurt, Germany.

This is a senior leadership opportunity requiring extensive construction project management experience, strong technical understanding of data centre infrastructure and the ability to manage complex multidisciplinary delivery teams.

Candidates already based in Frankfurt or the surrounding region will be preferred. However, fly-in/fly-out arrangements will be considered for suitably experienced professionals based elsewhere in Europe.

The project requires an individual who can mobilise quickly, with immediate availability or a short notice period highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Leadership

• Lead the planning, coordination and successful execution of a major data centre construction project.
• Manage project delivery across design coordination, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary CSA, mechanical, electrical and specialist construction activities.
• Establish project objectives, delivery strategies, milestones and performance requirements.
• Provide leadership to project teams, contractors, consultants and specialist subcontractors.
• Identify project risks, resolve delivery challenges and implement corrective actions.

Construction & Programme Delivery

• Oversee construction schedules, critical-path activities and key milestones.
• Monitor contractor performance, progress and resource allocation.
• Coordinate construction sequencing, site logistics and technical interfaces.
• Manage programme risks, delays and recovery strategies.
• Ensure effective communication between design, construction and commissioning teams.
• Lead project progress meetings and provide accurate reporting to senior stakeholders.

Technical & Engineering Coordination

• Manage coordination between civil, structural, architectural (CSA) and MEP workstreams.
• Maintain oversight of critical data centre infrastructure, including electrical distribution, UPS systems, generators, cooling systems, BMS, EPMS and fire protection.
• Coordinate design reviews, technical submissions, RFIs and engineering changes.
• Ensure construction activities align with approved designs, specifications and operational requirements.
• Support system integration, testing and commissioning readiness.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Maintain oversight of project budgets, cost reporting and commercial performance.
• Work closely with commercial and quantity surveying teams to manage variations and change control.
• Support procurement, contractor management and package delivery.
• Identify financial and contractual risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure appropriate project governance, reporting and documentation.

Health, Safety & Quality

• Promote a strong health, safety and environmental culture.
• Ensure compliance with applicable German construction legislation and project HSE standards.
• Work closely with HSE and quality teams to monitor contractor compliance.
• Oversee quality inspections, testing procedures and defect resolution.
• Maintain high standards of construction quality and project delivery.

Commissioning & Project Handover

• Coordinate construction completion and commissioning readiness.
• Work with commissioning teams to support testing, integrated systems testing (IST) and operational handover.
• Manage outstanding works, snagging and closeout requirements.
• Ensure appropriate technical documentation, certification and handover records are completed.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a senior interface between the client, contractors, consultants and project delivery teams.
• Lead project meetings and communicate progress, risks and commercial issues.
• Provide structured project reports to senior management.
• Maintain effective relationships with local and international stakeholders.

Essential Candidate Requirements

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering or a relevant technical discipline, or equivalent substantial professional experience.
• Significant experience managing large-scale construction and engineering projects.
• Proven direct experience delivering data centre construction projects , ideally within hyperscale or colocation environments.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary CSA and MEP construction delivery.
• Demonstrable experience managing contractors, construction programmes and project budgets.
• Knowledge of mission-critical infrastructure, including electrical power distribution, cooling and resilience systems.
• Experience coordinating construction, commissioning and project handover.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Professional working proficiency in English.
• Ability to work on-site in Frankfurt, either as a locally based professional or through an agreed FIFO arrangement.
• Immediate availability or the ability to commence within a short notice period is strongly preferred.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience delivering data centre projects in Germany.
• Existing residence in Frankfurt or the surrounding region.
• Experience working with major international data centre operators or developers.
• Familiarity with German construction regulations and contractual frameworks, including VOB/B and HOAI.
• PMP, PRINCE2, APM or equivalent professional project management qualification.
• Experience delivering large-scale, high-value data centre developments.
• German language skills would be beneficial but are not essential.

Location & Working Arrangements

The role is based on a major data centre construction project in Frankfurt, Germany, and requires a regular, substantial on-site presence.

Local Candidates: Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates already residing in Frankfurt or within a practical commuting distance.

Fly-In/Fly-Out Candidates: Applications are also welcomed from experienced data centre professionals based elsewhere in Europe who are willing to work in Frankfurt under an agreed rotational arrangement.

The specific rotation, travel and accommodation arrangements will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Availability

Due to project delivery requirements, we are particularly interested in speaking with candidates who are:

• Available immediately.
• Currently completing an assignment and available at short notice.
• Able to mobilise quickly to Frankfurt.

Candidates with longer notice periods may be considered where their experience is particularly relevant.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Senior leadership position on a major European data centre development.
• Opportunity to work on complex, mission-critical infrastructure.
• Flexible consideration of locally based and FIFO candidates.
• International project environment with experienced engineering and construction teams.
• Competitive remuneration appropriate to the seniority and responsibilities of the appointment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an up-to-date CV outlining their data centre project experience, project values, technical responsibilities and construction delivery achievements.

Please also confirm your current location, availability or notice period, and whether you are seeking a local or fly-in/fly-out arrangement.