Project Controls Lead - Data Centre

Accenture Construct; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture Construct is seeking a Data Centre Project Controls Lead to spearhead integrated controls delivery for large-scale, mission-critical data centre projects. You will join during a pivotal growth phase, driving client relationships and leading controls teams from inception to completion.

The role requires senior oversight of cost, schedule, risk, and change control, with on-site leadership and regular travel to construction sites. Strong expertise in NEC/JCT/FIDIC contracts is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering large-scale data centre or hyperscale projects.
• Lead complex construction programmes valued at £100m+.
• Proven ability to write project controls procedures and governance.
• Senior stakeholder relationships with clients.
• Willingness to travel to construction sites regularly.
• Knowledge of NEC, JCT, FIDIC or major European contracts.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying/Construction Management/Engineering (MRICS/MAPM preferred).
• APM or CASA status is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project controls for major data centre programmes.
• Serve as senior point of contact for project controls with clients.
• Oversee cost, schedule, change control, risk registers, baselines.
• Drive governance, reporting, and performance across workstreams.
• Mentor project controls teams and promote knowledge sharing.
• Provide on-site controls leadership during key phases.
• Support business development through proposals and client pitches.
• Uphold leadership principles in all engagements.

Skills

Data Centre Projects

Hyperscale Infrastructure

Project Controls

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Cost & Schedule Integration

Earned Value

Change Control

Risk Management

Team Mentoring

Education

MRICS/MAPM preferred

Construction/Engineering Degree

Quantity Surveying

Project Management Certification

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Asta Powerproject

Power BI

Job description

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. With our thought leadership and culture of innovation, we apply industry expertise, diverse skill sets and next-generation technology to each business challenge.

We believe in inclusion and diversity and supporting the whole person. Our core values comprise of Stewardship, Best People, Client Value Creation, One Global Network, Respect for the Individual and Integrity. Year after year, Accenture is recognized worldwide not just for business performance but for inclusion and diversity too.

“Across the globe, one thing is universally true of the people of Accenture: We care deeply about what we do and the impact we have with our clients and with the communities in which we work and live. It is personal to all of us.” – Julie Sweet, Accenture CEO

About the Opportunity

We're seeking an exceptional Data Centre Project Controls Lead to spearhead integrated controls delivery for large-scale, mission-critical data centre projects serving the world's most demanding clients.

You’ll join Soben during a pivotal phase of our global growth. As a senior member of our project delivery team, you’ll drive strategic client relationships, lead high-performing project controls teams, and deliver complex hyperscale and colocation developments from inception to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project controls delivery for major data centre programmes, ensuring alignment with commercial, technical, and operational goals to control time, cost, quality objectives, and scope
• Serve as senior point of contact for project controls matters with clients, fostering trusted partnerships through clear communication
• Provide strategic oversight of cost, schedule, change control, risk registers, baseline management, and progress & performance tracking
• Drive integrated project governance, reporting, and performance management across multiple workstreams
• Lead and mentor project controls teams, fostering accountability, high performance, and knowledge sharing
• Provide on-site project controls leadership during key project phases, including regular travel to construction sites
• Oversee development and maintenance of robust performance measurement baselines to enable accurate progress and performance tracking aligned with client goals and objectives
• Identify, analyse, and mitigate cost, schedule, and commercial risks and critical path threats
• Challenge construction phasing, sequencing, and commercial approaches to optimise programme delivery and value engineering
• Ensure robust schedule health, cost forecasting, earned value performance reporting, and change control
• Contribute to business development through project controls expertise in proposals and client presentations
• Uphold Soben's Leadership Principles in all client and internal engagements

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Significant experience delivering large-scale, mission-critical data centre or hyperscale infrastructure projects
• Proven track record leading complex construction programmes (£100m+ value) as Project Controls Lead/Manager
• Proficient at writing project controls procedures, plans, and governance frameworks
• Advanced proficiency with management information tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Asta Powerproject, and Power BI
• Advanced proficiency with project controls methodologies independent of management information software used, and ability to adapt across different platforms
• Strong commercial acumen with expertise in cost/schedule integration, earned value management, and change control
• Experience operating at senior stakeholder level, managing executive client relationships
• Demonstrable leadership of high-performing, geographically diverse project controls teams
• Deep understanding of data centre construction methodologies, phasing, commissioning, MEP constraints, and commercial drivers
• Comfortable with travel, including regular travel to construction sites
• Experience with NEC, JCT, FIDIC or other major contract forms used in Europe
• Outstanding communication skills for presenting complex project controls information clearly
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline (MRICS, MAPM or equivalent preferred—an asset)
• Chartered professional status such as Association for Project Management (APM) or Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CASA) advantageous