Project Director

Colt Data Centre Services; Paris; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Colt Data Centre Services seeks a senior Project Director to lead strategic delivery of large-scale data centre developments in Paris. You will manage a team of project managers and interface with internal stakeholders, customers, and external partners to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

The role requires deep construction and M&E knowledge, fluent French and English, and a track record in leading complex programs within a French or pan-European environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale programs in France.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution and governance of large Paris data centre projects.
• Develop delivery strategies aligned with Colt standards and local needs.
• Drive forward-thinking construction practices and OFCI/modular methods.
• Lead pre-construction activities from site selection to readiness for construction start.
• Ensure project controls, reporting and risk management across Paris projects.
• Manage multi-disciplinary teams and external partners to deliver client expectations.
• Oversee contract changes, variations and claims resolutions.
• Ensure safety, compliance with French codes, and continuous QA improvements.
• Oversee handover processes to Operations with complete commissioning docs.

Skills

Project leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Construction management

Bilingual: French & English

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Construction/Engineering

MRICS / PMP (preferred)

Job description

Colt Data Centre Services has over 25 years of experience in designing, building, and operating energy-efficient, reliable data centres. We serve major financial, media, corporate, and cloud wholesale providers across the globe. Our customer-first approach drives everything we do, and we strive to deliver a seamless experience across all our facilities and regions.

We believe that delivering the best solutions starts with hiring the best people. At Colt DCS, we foster a healthy, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment where our employees can thrive.

Role Purpose

The Project Director will lead the strategic delivery of large scale data centre developments in Paris. This senior role is responsible for overseeing project execution, ensuring alignment with Colt DCS’s business objectives, and driving consistency in design and delivery across all Paris-based sites. The Project Director will manage a team of Project Managers and act as the key interface between internal stakeholders, external partners, and customers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Oversight & Leadership

• Lead the planning, execution, and governance of large and often concurrent data centre projects in Paris.
• Develop and implement delivery strategies that align with Colt DCS’s global standards and local business needs.
• Drive innovation and implementation of forward thinking construction practices with a solid appreciation for OFCI procurement and modular build practices.
• Ability to lead all pre-construction activities following site selection, land purchase, permitting, regulatory approvals, early design coordination, and enabling works to ensure readiness for full construction start.
• Ensure consistent application of project controls, reporting, and risk management across all Paris projects.

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Matrix lead and manage a diverse internal and external team of designers, cost managers, procurement managers, customer contacts as required to achieve the business goals.
• Act as the senior point of contact both for internal and external stakeholders (Design, Procurement, Operations, Real Estate, PMO) and external partners (consultants, contractors, suppliers).
• Represent Colt DCS in customer meetings and ensure project delivery meets client expectations.
• Oversee contract negotiations, major variations, and claims resolution.
• Ensure commercial risks are identified, mitigated, and escalated appropriately.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Champion health and safety best practices across all Paris sites.
• Ensure compliance with French building codes, environmental regulations, and Colt DCS standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in quality assurance and delivery processes.

Programme, Operational Readiness & Handover

• Ensure projects are delivered to meet operational requirements and customer expectations.
• Lead formal handover processes to the Operations/Customer team, ensuring all commissioning and documentation is complete.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Development and Delivery Team, Design, Procurement, PMO, Operations, Sales & Marketing, Senior management.
• External: Customers, Design Consultants, Cost Managers, Contractors, Suppliers, Local Authorities.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in leading large-scale construction programmes in the French market, ideally within the data centre or high-tech infrastructure sector.
• Strong understanding of French health and safety regulations and building codes.
• Deep technical knowledge of construction, M&E systems, and civil/structural engineering.
• Experience managing Design & Build contracts and complex commercial negotiations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fluent in French and English (written and verbal); additional European languages are a plus.
• Excellent strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in Construction, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification advantageous (e.g. Chartered Engineer, PMP, MRICS or equivalent).
• Experience working in a French or pan-European construction environment is highly desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic mindset with strong execution capability.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• High level of organisation and attention to detail.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Committed to delivering excellence and exceeding customer expectations.