Project Manager – Data centre

Pinnacle Recruitment Ltd; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 157,000 - 226,000; Full time

Job summary

Naughton is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead a multi‑million pound Data Centre project in the North East. You will manage groundworks, earthworks, and civil packages, ensuring safety, programme, and budget adherence on site in Newcastle.

You will oversee the delivery team, liaise with clients and consultants, and work with the commercial team on cost control and changes while maintaining high standards across the project.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent
• Health and safety qualification (NEBOSH/SMSTS)
• Valid CSCS card (Manager level)
• Membership of CIOB or ICE desirable but not essential
• Experience on data centre or large civil groundworks projects preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day delivery across groundworks and civil packages within budget and schedule
• Develop and maintain project programme; coordinate resources and subcontractors
• Act as primary client and stakeholder contact; build strong relationships
• Lead site team including engineers and subcontractors; motivate crew
• Collaborate with commercial team on cost control, valuations, changes
• Ensure compliance with health and safety and CDM regulations
• Identify and manage project risks; resolve issues to avoid delays
• Oversee quality against design and client requirements
• Report progress, risks, and performance to senior management
• Support estimating and pre-construction with buildability input

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Programme management

Cost management

Risk management

Organisation

MS Office

Project management software

Education

Bachelor's degree

NEBOSH/SMSTS

CSCS Card

CIOB/ICE membership

Tools

MS Office

Project management software

Job description

Project Manager – Data centre

Salary: £450 - £650 per day

Location: Newcastle

Regions: North East, North of England

A specialist civil engineering contractor is seeking a Project Manager to work on a multi million pound Data Centre Project in the NE

Our client is a specialist in delivering groundworks, earthworks, basements, enabling, and civil engineering solutions across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Including major data centre developments.

As Project Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for the safe, on‑time, and on‑budget delivery of the project, managing site teams, subcontractors, and client relationships to ensure Naughton’s high standards are maintained throughout.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of the project across groundworks, earthworks, and civil engineering packages, ensuring works are completed safely, on programme, and within budget.
• Develop and maintain the project programme, coordinating resources, subcontractors, and materials to meet key milestones.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the client, consultants, and stakeholders, building strong working relationships throughout the project.
• Lead, manage, and motivate the site team, including engineers, supervisors, and subcontractors.
• Work closely with the commercial team on cost control, valuations, and change management.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety legislation, CDM Regulations, and company policies at all times.
• Identify and manage project risks, resolving issues promptly to avoid delays or cost overruns.
• Oversee quality control and ensure works are delivered in accordance with design, specification, and client requirements — with particular attention to the exacting standards required on data centre projects.
• Report regularly on project progress, risks, and performance to senior management.
• Support the estimating and pre-construction teams with buildability input and lessons learned.

Experience

• Proven experience as a Project Manager within civil engineering, concrete works, or groundworks projects.
• Familiarity with data centre projects, including an understanding of the specific quality, tolerance, and programme demands of the sector.
• Track record of managing project budgets, programmes, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience delivering projects of a similar scale and complexity is highly advantageous.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Recognised health & safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH, SMSTS, or equivalent).
• Valid CSCS card (Manager level).
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIOB, ICE) is desirable but not essential.

Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and direct multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially astute, with strong programme and cost management skills.
• Confident decision-maker, able to manage risk and resolve issues under pressure.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities on a live, demanding site.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant project management software.