Project Director

Colt Data Centre Services; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Colt Data Centre Services seeks a senior Project Director to lead strategic delivery of major data centre developments in London. You will oversee project execution, align with global standards, and coordinate internal stakeholders with external partners and customers.

You will manage a team of Project Managers, drive risk management, and ensure successful handover to Operations while maintaining high quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across London sites.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale construction programmes in UK data centre or high-tech infra environments.
• Strong understanding of UK health and safety regulations and building codes.
• Deep technical knowledge of construction, M&E systems, and civil/structural engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and governance of large and concurrent London data centre projects.
• Matrix lead and manage diverse internal and external teams to achieve goals.
• Represent Colt DCS in customer meetings and ensure project delivery meets client expectations.
• Oversee contract negotiations, major variations, and claims resolution.
• Identify, mitigate, and escalate commercial risks as needed.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements across sites.

Skills

Project leadership

HSE knowledge

Engineering knowledge

Contract management

Team leadership

English fluency

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction/Engineering

Chartered Engineer / PMP / MRICS or equivalent

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 London. 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 London and future UK-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 London.
• 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 London 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 London sites.
• Ensure compliance with UK 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 UK market, ideally within the data centre or high-tech infrastructure sector.
• Strong understanding of UK 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 English (written and verbal).
• 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 UK 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.