Director Of Data Centre Construction

Morson Talent; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Director of Data Centre Construction to oversee large-scale projects in London. The role involves strategic leadership, managing contractors, and ensuring projects meet sustainability goals. Candidates should have over 15 years of experience in construction project delivery, particularly in data centres and be able to handle multiple concurrent projects. This position offers a significant opportunity to drive innovation and sustainability in the industry.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in large-scale construction project delivery.
• Proven track record managing EPC contractors and multi-million-pound projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of MEP systems, structural engineering, and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement construction delivery strategy for hyperscale data centres.
• Lead contractors and oversee project delivery compliance.
• Act as the senior interface with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Large-scale construction project delivery

Data centre experience

EPC management

Stakeholder management

Technical knowledge of MEP systems

Education

15+ years of experience

Chartered Engineer or equivalent

Project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, MSP)

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Director of Data Centre Construction

Location: London, UK

Client:
Our client is a global leader in digital infrastructure, operating one of the world's most extensive networks of interconnected data centres. With a rapidly expanding portfolio across the UK and Europe, they provide the foundation for cloud, AI, and enterprise ecosystems by delivering resilient, secure, and sustainable facilities.

The organisation has a strong focus on hyperscale growth and xScale developments, partnering with the world's largest cloud and technology companies to deliver multi-megawatt campuses. They are also deeply committed to sustainability, with ambitious targets for 100% renewable energy and net-zero operations, and a proven track record of innovation in energy efficiency, modular construction, and heat reuse initiatives.

The Role: We are seeking a Director of Data Centre Construction to lead the delivery of large-scale, mission-critical data centre projects across the UK and Europe. This is a senior leadership role overseeing the end-to-end construction lifecycle from design and planning, through procurement and EPC management, to commissioning and handover. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to world-class technical standards, while driving innovation in sustainability, modular build techniques, and hyperscale delivery.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement the construction delivery strategy for hyperscale and colocation data centres across multiple regions.
  • Provide executive oversight of multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and client requirements.
  • Build and manage high-performing construction and project delivery teams.
• Project Delivery & EPC Management
  • Lead and oversee contractors, EPC partners, and specialist subcontractors (MEP, civil, structural).
  • Ensure adherence to Uptime Institute Tier Standards, ISO, and health & safety regulations.
  • Manage cost planning, scheduling, and risk management for projects ranging from tens to hundreds of MW IT load.
  • Monitor progress through KPIs and ensure quality, safety, and compliance across all projects.
• Stakeholder & Client Management
  • Act as the senior interface with hyperscale clients, investors, regulators, and supply chain partners.
  • Negotiate and manage key supplier/vendor agreements.
  • Provide clear reporting and executive updates to C-suite and stakeholders.
• Innovation & Sustainability
  • Drive adoption of modular, prefabricated, and offsite construction methods to accelerate delivery.
  • Champion sustainability initiatives (net-zero, embodied carbon reduction, renewable integration).
  • Support ESG reporting and regulatory compliance across construction projects.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential:

• 15+ years of experience in large-scale construction project delivery, with at least 5+ years in data centres, hyperscale, or mission-critical facilities.
• Proven track record managing EPC contractors and multi-million-pound projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of MEP systems, structural engineering, modular builds, and commissioning.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects across different geographies.

Desirable:

• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, MSP).
• Experience working with hyperscale cloud providers and colocation operators.
• Deep knowledge of Tier III / Tier IV design & operational standards