Mechanical Project Manager

James Lewis Recruitment; London Borough of Harrow; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

James Lewis Recruitment seeks a Mechanical Project Manager for data centre refurbishment and upgrade works. You will manage mechanical delivery from pre-start to commissioning and handover in live data centre environments, coordinating with internal teams, subcontractors and client representatives to maintain safety, quality and programme.

Your role includes overseeing cooling, piping, plantrooms, ventilation and BMS interfaces, with a focus on critical infrastructure and commissioning-heavy

Qualifications

• Strong mechanical project management experience within data centres or critical environments.
• Experience with live-site upgrades, commissioning-heavy projects and complex building services.
• Ability to manage safety, programme, cost and client communications.

Responsibilities

• Deliver mechanical project scope from pre-start to handover on live data centres.
• Coordinate with electrical, security, commissioning and client teams to maintain programme.
• Produce progress reports, risk registers and project documentation.
• Manage subcontractors, procurement and change within budget.

Skills

Mechanical PM

Data centre experience

Site coordination

Health & safety leadership

Education

HNC / HND

Degree in Building Services

Job description

Mechanical Project Manager | Data Centre Refurbishment & Upgrade | Permanent

We are looking for Mechanical Project Managers to support major data centre refurbishment and upgrade works across two live project locations.

Each role will sit on a technically demanding data centre scheme, with projects forming part of a wider £30m refurbishment and infrastructure upgrade programme. The work will focus on upgrading and improving critical mechanical infrastructure within existing data centre environments, so this needs people who understand live services, sequencing, access, shutdowns, commissioning and client confidence.

This is not a standard commercial M&E role. You'll be working in operational data centre environments where programme, safety, technical coordination, documentation and communication all need to be controlled properly.

The role

You’ll take responsibility for the mechanical delivery of data centre refurbishment and upgrade works from pre-commencement through to practical completion, commissioning and handover.

The business delivers integrated data centre solutions across M&E, connectivity, security, containment, commissioning and lifecycle support, so you’ll be working closely with internal teams, subcontractors, specialist suppliers and client-side representatives to make sure mechanical works are delivered safely, correctly and to programme.

The project scope is expected to include critical cooling, chilled water systems, pipework, pumps, valves, plantroom works, ventilation, CRAC / CRAH units, pressurisation, flushing, pressure testing, BMS / EMS / PMS integration, fire interfaces, commissioning support and handover documentation.

There is a separate Project Manager requirement for each project location, with schemes based in Harrow and Angel.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing mechanical project delivery across live data centre refurbishment and upgrade works.


• Taking responsibility for programme, procurement, labour, subcontractors, technical coordination, QA, commissioning support and handover.


• Reviewing project scope, drawings, specifications, technical submissions, RAMS, installation methods and programme requirements.


• Coordinating mechanical works across data halls, plant areas, plantrooms, risers, service routes and associated critical infrastructure.


• Managing chilled water, cooling systems, pipework, pumps, valves, ventilation, CRAC / CRAH units, pressurisation, flushing, pressure testing and associated mechanical plant.


• Working closely with electrical, connectivity, security, commissioning and client-side teams to keep works properly coordinated.


• Managing subcontractors, supervisors, engineers and specialist suppliers across live and controlled work areas.


• Planning works around access restrictions, site procedures, permits, shutdowns, live services and operational constraints.


• Producing progress reports, programme updates, lookaheads, risk registers and project documentation.


• Working with the commercial team to manage change, risk, subcontractor performance, cost movement and project margin.


• Supporting commissioning, witness testing, balancing, snagging, O&M production and final handover.


• Making sure QA records, pressure test certificates, flushing records, commissioning information and close-out documentation are completed properly.


• Driving high standards around health and safety, quality, coordination and site discipline.


• Representing the business professionally with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and third parties.

What you’ll need

You’ll need strong mechanical project management experience within data centres, critical environments, M&E contracting, infrastructure, commercial fit-out, technical upgrades or complex building services projects.

Data centre experience would be a strong advantage, especially if you have worked on live site upgrades, refurbishment works, data hall modifications, chilled water, critical cooling, CRAC / CRAH units, pipework, plantrooms, ventilation, BMS / EMS / PMS interfaces or commissioning-heavy projects.

You should be confident managing mechanical projects from pre-start through to completion, with responsibility for safety, programme, subcontractors, procurement, client communication, commercial performance and handover.

You’ll need to understand how live data centre upgrades are delivered. Access, permits, shutdowns, live services, security procedures, client operations and commissioning all need to be planned properly.

A strong mechanical background is essential. You may come from a trade, HNC / HND, degree or equivalent building services route, but you must be able to hold your own technically on mechanical delivery.

You’ll need strong leadership skills and the ability to manage subcontractors, suppliers, supervisors, engineers and project teams properly.

SMSTS, IOSH Managing Safely, CSCS and relevant mechanical qualifications would be useful.

The right person

• You're organised, technically credible and delivery-focused.


• You can deal with the client, push subcontractors, challenge technical issues, support the site team and keep a clear grip on safety, programme, cost and quality.


• You understand that data centre refurbishment is different from standard M&E. The services are live, access is controlled, cooling resilience matters and commissioning needs to be planned properly from the start.


• You do not wait for issues to build up. You walk the job, understand what is happening, identify blockers early and keep the project moving.

This role will suit a Mechanical Project Manager who has already delivered technically demanding M&E works and wants to move further into the data centre sector, or someone already operating in data centres who wants responsibility on a major refurbishment and upgrade programme.