Project Director - Data Centre

Turner & Townsend; Riyadh; Hybrid; SAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Project Director to lead planning, execution, and delivery of hyperscale data center projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You will oversee all aspects from concept to handover, collaborating with cross-functional teams, external stakeholders, and vendors to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

You will drive risk management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance while mentoring engineers and contractors to achieve measurable performance and cost

Qualifications

• 20+ years of project management experience, incl. 7+ years in large-scale data center projects.
• Strong knowledge of data center operations, architecture, and infrastructure.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams and excellent time management.
• Experience with risk management, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Preferred: PMP or equivalent certification; Middle East project experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end delivery of hyperscale data center construction and deployment.
• Develop plans, schedules, and budgets; monitor KPIs and take corrective actions.
• Lead cross-functional teams of engineers, contractors and specialists.
• Manage vendor relationships, procurement processes, and contractor performance.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; develop contingency plans.
• Coordinate with regulatory and compliance teams to ensure standards.
• Conduct stakeholder communications, including executive briefings and reports.
• Oversee quality assurance and testing protocols for infrastructure.
• Manage project documentation, change control, and lessons learned.
• Analyze performance data and provide strategic recommendations.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Education

PMP or equivalent certification

Job description

At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society.
Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects, in over 130 countries worldwide.
Our team is dynamic, innovative and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Project Director to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of data center projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this strategic leadership role, you will oversee all aspects of large-scale infrastructure development, from initial concept through operational handover. You will work with cross-functional teams, external stakeholders, and vendors to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This position requires a decisive leader with strong analytical capabilities and a proven track record in managing complex, mission-critical infrastructure initiatives.

• Direct end-to-end project delivery for hyperscale data center construction and deployment, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and timelines
• Develop comprehensive project plans, schedules, and budgets; monitor progress against key performance indicators and implement corrective actions as needed
• Lead and mentor cross-functional project teams, including engineers, contractors, and technical specialists; foster collaboration and accountability across all stakeholders
• Manage vendor relationships, procurement processes, and contractor performance to ensure quality deliverables and cost efficiency
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; develop contingency plans and implement proactive solutions to minimize impact
• Coordinate with regulatory and compliance teams to ensure adherence to local Saudi Arabian regulations and international data center standards
• Conduct regular stakeholder communications, including executive briefings, progress reports, and issue escalations
• Oversee quality assurance and testing protocols to ensure infrastructure meets technical specifications and operational requirements
• Manage project documentation, change control processes, and lessons learned to support continuous improvement
• Analyze project performance data and provide strategic recommendations for future initiatives

Qualifications

• 20+ years of project management experience, with a minimum of 7 years leading large-scaledata center projects
• Strong knowledge of data center operations, architecture, and technical infrastructure
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience building and motivating high-performing teams
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience with risk management, compliance, and regulatory requirements in the data center or infrastructure sector
• Preferred: Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification
• Preferred: Prior experience working on projects in the Middle East region
• Preferred: Knowledge of cloud infrastructure and emerging data center technologies

Additional Information

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