UK Data Centre Commercial Lead: Strategy, Cost & Contracts

Planning Recruitment Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Planning Recruitment Limited is seeking a senior Real Estate Commercial Lead to own the UK commercial strategy across a growing data centre portfolio. You will manage CAPEX, cost control, procurement, contract strategy and risk, guiding investment decisions and coordinating with Development, Finance and Procurement teams to deliver value.

You will lead a high-performing team, drive governance improvements, and establish robust reporting across multiple live and pipeline projects, shaping the

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Economics or equivalent.
• Background in data centres, mission-critical, real estate development, industrial or major infrastructure projects.
• Strong client-side/developer-side experience managing multiple projects or portfolios.
• Excellent knowledge of procurement and contracts, including NEC, FIDIC or equivalent.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong commercial, negotiation, analytical and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the UK commercial strategy across live and pipeline developments.
• Provide senior commercial input into feasibility, business cases, cost planning and investment decisions.
• Oversee CAPEX, forecasting, cost control, value engineering and monthly commercial reporting.
• Lead procurement strategies and high-value contract negotiations.
• Manage commercial risk, change control and supplier performance.
• Work closely with Development, Design, Delivery, Finance, Procurement and Asset Management teams.
• Lead and develop a high-performing commercial and cost management team.
• Drive continuous improvement across commercial processes, governance and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Procurement

Cost management

Contracts

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Education

Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Economics

Job description

Planning Recruitment Limited is seeking a senior Real Estate Commercial Lead to own the UK commercial strategy across a growing data centre portfolio. You will manage CAPEX, cost control, procurement, contract strategy and risk, guiding investment decisions and coordinating with Development, Finance and Procurement teams to deliver value.

You will lead a high-performing team, drive governance improvements, and establish robust reporting across multiple live and pipeline projects, shaping the