Pre-Construction Senior Project Manager – Data Centres (London)

Mitchell McDermott; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

The Best Tech

Training

Guest Lectures

All-Access Leaders

CSR, Shaped by You

Away Days

Recognition

Job summary

Mitchell McDermott is seeking a Pre-Construction Manager to lead early-stage data centre projects from feasibility to design through procurement. You will guide programmes, budgets and delivery strategies to ensure site readiness and robust handovers to construction teams.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in construction with 3+ in pre-construction or design management, and a track record on data centre or MEP-heavy schemes. Strong client liaison and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or related discipline.
• Typically 8+ years' experience in construction, with at least 3 years in a pre-construction or design management role.
• Proven experience on data centre, mission-critical or other complex, MEP-heavy projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction phase of data centre projects on behalf of the client, from concept to contract award.
• Develop and manage the project delivery and procurement strategy, including packaging and contractor selection.
• Coordinate the design team (architectural, structural, MEP and specialist consultants) and manage design programmes and deliverables.
• Run constructability, buildability and value engineering reviews with a focus on cost, programme and quality.
• Work with cost managers to set and control budgets, cost plans and estimates.
• Develop pre-construction and high-level delivery programmes, identifying critical path and long-lead items.
• Manage tender processes, including tender documentation, evaluation and recommendation reports.
• Oversee planning, utility (power and water) and regulatory approval processes alongside the client.
• Identify and manage project risks, and maintain the risk register.
• Ensure health and safety, sustainability and regulatory requirements are built into the design and procurement stages.
• Report progress to clients and senior stakeholders, and ensure a smooth handover to the construction team.

Skills

Client-facing communication

Commercial awareness

Team leadership

Organisational skills

Education

Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, QS or related

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

BIM/Revit

Procore

Aconex

Job description

SHAPE MORE THAN JUST A CAREER AT MITCHELL MCDERMOTT.

We’re a growing company with big ideas, high standards and ambitious clients. We empower you to have a massive impact on all three.

About Us

We are a leading Construction Consultancy offering a range of cost management, project management, due diligence and advisory services to blue chip clients in a huge variety of sectors. Working on prestige projects around the country, we’re renowned for the highest standards, biggest ideas and meticulous attention to detail.

About the role

We are a construction project management consultancy seeking a Pre-Construction Manager to lead the early stages of large-scale data centre projects for our clients. You will guide projects from feasibility and design through procurement, making sure each one reaches site with a robust budget, programme and delivery strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction phase of data centre projects on behalf of the client, from concept to contract award.
• Develop and manage the project delivery and procurement strategy, including packaging and contractor selection.
• Coordinate the design team (architectural, structural, MEP and specialist consultants) and manage design programmes and deliverables.
• Run constructability, buildability and value engineering reviews with a focus on cost, programme and quality.
• Work with cost managers to set and control budgets, cost plans and estimates.
• Develop pre-construction and high-level delivery programmes, identifying critical path and long-lead items (e.g. generators, UPS, switchgear, chillers).
• Manage tender processes, including tender documentation, evaluation and recommendation reports.
• Oversee planning, utility (power and water) and statutory approval processes alongside the client.
• Identify and manage project risks, and maintain the risk register.
• Ensure health and safety, sustainability and regulatory requirements are built into the design and procurement stages.
• Report progress to clients and senior stakeholders, and ensure a smooth handover to the construction team.

Experience and qualifications

• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Typically 8+ years' experience in construction, with at least 3 years in a pre-construction or design management role.
• Proven experience on data centre, mission-critical or other complex, MEP-heavy projects.
• Strong understanding of procurement routes and forms of contract (e.g. FIDIC etc.).
• Working knowledge of data centre systems: power, cooling, resilience (Tier levels) and commissioning.
• Chartered membership (e.g. MCIOB, SCSI, RICS, CIPS) is desirable.

Skills and attributes

• Confident client-facing communicator who can represent the client's interests.
• Strong commercial awareness and sound judgement on cost, risk and programme.
• Able to lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
• Organised and detail-focused, able to manage several workstreams on fast-track programmes.
• Proficient with planning and collaboration tools (e.g. Primavera P6 or MS Project, BIM/Revit, Procore or Aconex).

Benefits & Perks

• The Best Tech - we'll make sure you've got the tools you need
• Training - industry-leading learning opportunities all year round
• Guest Lectures - join outside experts for entirely new perspectives
• All-Access Leaders - some leaders are heard but never seen; ours have an open door
• CSR, Shaped by You - you choose who we help
• Away Days - once a year, the whole company gets away together
• Recognition - awards programmes, celebratory champagne, and more

Website: www.mitchellmcdermott.com

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Office: Two Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 D04 W3V6, Ireland