Project Director - Data Centre

Jacobs; Riyadh Region; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a highly experienced Project Director to lead construction supervision for hyperscale data center developments across the Middle East. You will oversee multidisciplinary teams, ensure safety, schedule, budget compliance, and deliver high-quality, reliable facilities from construction through handover.

The role requires extensive experience in testing, commissioning, IST, operational readiness, and handover, with a strong focus on risk, governance, and stakeholder management to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
• 20+ years in construction, engineering, project management, or supervision.
• 10+ years direct hyperscale data center experience (Tier III/IV).
• Experience managing large multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of construction supervision for hyperscale data center projects in the Middle East.
• Provide direction to Resident Engineers, Construction Managers, Discipline Engineers, and other specialists.
• Establish governance, reporting, and performance management structures.
• Oversee all construction supervision activities ensuring safety, quality, schedule and budget targets.
• Coordinate interfaces across civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, ICT, and commissioning.
• Drive risk management, contract administration and commercial oversight.
• Oversee testing, commissioning, handover, and transition to operations.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Construction supervision

Team leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil/Structural/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Construction Management

Job description

Your impact

Jacobs is seeking a highly experienced Project Director to lead the Construction Supervision delivery of major Hyperscale Data Center developments across the Middle East. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and successful execution of large-scale data center projects from construction through testing, commissioning, operational readiness, and final handover. The role requires extensive experience managing multidisciplinary supervision teams and overseeing the construction of Tier III and Tier IV hyperscale data centers, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with the highest standards of quality and operational reliability. The Project Director will act as the primary client interface and provide strategic leadership across all project disciplines, including civil, structural, architectural, electrical, mechanical, ICT, commissioning, quality, and HSE functions.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the overall delivery of construction supervision services for hyperscale data center projects across the Middle East.
• Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary teams comprising Resident Engineers, Construction Managers, Discipline Engineers, Quality Engineers, HSE Managers, BIM Coordinators, and Project Controls professionals.
• Establish project governance structures, reporting procedures, communication protocols, and performance management frameworks.
• Ensure successful delivery of projects in accordance with contractual requirements, approved budgets, schedules, and client expectations.
• Monitor project performance against key milestones and implement corrective actions where required.
• Proactively identify and mitigate technical, commercial, operational, and schedule-related risks.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project performance and delivery effectiveness.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, developers, contractors, utility providers, government authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with executive-level client representatives and project partners.
• Lead project steering committees, executive review meetings, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations regarding project progress, risks, opportunities, and commercial matters.
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction and maintain Jacobs' reputation for technical excellence and project delivery.

Construction Supervision Management

• Direct and oversee all construction supervision activities throughout project execution.
• Ensure construction works are executed in accordance with approved designs, project specifications, applicable codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee contractor performance, resource deployment, construction methodologies, and recovery plans.
• Coordinate architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, ICT, and specialist contractor activities to ensure effective project integration.
• Resolve major design, construction, interface, and delivery challenges affecting project performance.
• Ensure robust quality assurance and quality control procedures are implemented and maintained throughout construction.

Data Center Infrastructure Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of the construction and delivery of hyperscale data center campuses, including data halls, administration buildings, substations, central utility plants, generator facilities, ICT infrastructure, utility networks, and support facilities.
• Oversee delivery of critical infrastructure systems including
  • HV/MV/LV Electrical Systems
  • Utility Substations
  • Transformers and Switchgear
  • Diesel Generator Plants
  • UPS Systems and Battery Systems
  • Chilled Water Systems
  • Cooling Plants and HVAC Infrastructure
  • CRAH and CRAC Units
  • Fuel Storage and Distribution Systems
  • Fire Protection Systems
  • BMS and EPMS Platforms
  • Structured Cabling and ICT Networks
  • Security and ELV Systems
• Ensure compliance with Tier III and Tier IV reliability, availability, redundancy, resilience, and performance requirements.
• Support best‑practice implementation for hyperscale, cloud, and mission‑critical facility delivery.Commercial & Contract Management
• Oversee administration of contracts in accordance with FIDIC and project‑specific contractual frameworks.
• Review and manage contractor claims, variations, extensions of time, and contractual disputes.
• Monitor project financial performance and support commercial decision‑making.
• Identify and manage project risks and opportunities to protect project objectives.
• Support negotiation and resolution of commercial and contractual issues.

Testing, Commissioning & Handover

• Oversee testing, commissioning, integrated systems testing (IST), operational readiness, and handover activities.
• Ensure critical infrastructure systems are commissioned and validated in accordance with project requirements.
• Support successful transition from construction to operations.
• Ensure completion of all handover documentation, certifications, warranties, operation and maintenance manuals, and as‑built records.

Health, Safety, Quality & Environmental Management

• Champion Jacobs' Zero Harm culture and promote best practices in health, safety, environmental, and quality management.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, local legislation, and international HSEQ standards.
• Lead project safety reviews, quality audits, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement across all project teams.

Here's what you'll need

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 20+ years of overall experience in construction, engineering, project management, or construction supervision.
• Minimum 10 years of direct experience in Hyperscale Data Centers, Tier III/Tier IV Data Centers, Cloud Campuses, Digital Infrastructure, or Mission‑Critical Facilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing large multidisciplinary project teams in complex construction environments.
• Extensive experience in testing, commissioning, integrated systems testing (IST), operational readiness, and facility handover.
• Strong understanding of FIDIC contracts, project controls, risk management, and commercial administration.

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