Project Director

Khazna Data Centers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Khazna Data Centers in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Project Director to lead the end-to-end delivery of international data center projects, overseeing project management, construction, commissioning and handover.

The role ensures safe, timely and cost-effective delivery in line with approved designs, governance and international standards while coordinating internal teams, contractors, consultants, and authorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of data center project management experience, including 7+ years at Director level.
• Strong knowledge of data center infrastructure and Uptime Institute Tier standards.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale, mission-critical data center projects.
• Excellent English communication, planning, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end data center project delivery from mobilization to handover.
• Ensure alignment with designs, requirements, governance, contracts, and authority rules.
• Develop and execute plans across multiple regions and sites.
• Oversee quality, safety, schedule, and cost targets for all activities.
• Coordinate internal teams, contractors, vendors, and consultants for delivery.
• Chair progress meetings; track actions and resolve issues.
• Manage risks, variations, and commercial matters with relevant teams.
• Oversee commissioning, performance testing, and readiness reviews.
• Drive structured handover with as-built drawings, manuals, and sign-off.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Review drawings, submittals, RFIs, and technical queries in a timely manner.
• Monitor budgets, invoicing, and resource allocation; drive improvements across delivery.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk & commercial management

Budgeting & cost control

Contract & governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Since 2012, Khazna has become the leading wholesale data center provider in the Middle East and North Africa, delivering reliable and scalable infrastructure to support the region's growing digital ecosystem.

We are seeking a Project Director to lead the end-to-end delivery of international data center projects, overseeing project management, construction, commissioning, and handover. The role ensures safe, timely, cost-effective delivery in line with approved design, governance, and international standards, while coordinating internal teams, contractors, consultants, and authorities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead end-to-end implementation of data center projects from mobilization through construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Ensure alignment with approved designs, Employer's Requirements, governance frameworks, contracts, and authority requirements.
• Develop and execute project delivery plans across multiple regions and sites.
• Oversee project and construction activities, ensuring quality, safety, schedule, and cost targets are achieved.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders, contractors, vendors, consultants, and technical teams to ensure effective delivery.
• Chair project and progress meetings, providing direction, tracking actions, and resolving issues.
• Manage project risks, variations, claims, and commercial matters in coordination with relevant teams.
• Oversee commissioning, performance testing, readiness reviews, and operational acceptance.
• Drive structured project handover, ensuring completion of as-built drawings, O&M manuals, documentation, and readiness sign-off.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, certifications, internal policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and consultants, including prequalification and technical evaluations.
• Ensure timely review and closure of drawings, material submittals, RFIs, and technical queries.
• Monitor project budgets, invoices, variations, resource allocation, and overall financial performance.
• Drive continuous improvement, sustainability, innovation, productivity, and cost-reduction initiatives across data center delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in data center project management and implementation, including 7+ years in a Director-level role.
• Strong knowledge of data center infrastructure, including power, cooling, networking, storage, servers, and security systems.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale, complex, mission-critical data center projects.
• Expertise in data center design review, project management, construction, and commissioning, with knowledge of Uptime Institute Tier standards.
• Strong communication, negotiation, stakeholder, contractor, risk, and commercial management skills.
• Knowledge of local and international industry standards, regulatory requirements, and compliance practices, with strong English and planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across locations, with a focus on delivery leadership, operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.