Data Centre Lead - MEA

Aecom; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A global infrastructure firm is seeking a Data Centre Lead in Cape Town. This role involves managing data center design projects across MEA, including client-facing activities and ensuring project deliverables are met. Candidates should have extensive experience in the built environment and demonstrate strong technical and communication skills. This position supports a hybrid work environment and offers opportunities for growth within a global team of experts.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Comprehensive employee benefits

Growth and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Over 12 years experience in the Built Environment or a similar function.
• Experience managing design of hyperscale data centers.
• Professionally registered as an Engineer with ECSA is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage data center design projects from start to finish.
• Develop technical and financial proposals for new projects.
• Maintain client relationships and grow the business.
• Oversee project quality checks in line with standards.
• Lead technical teams to deliver high-profile data center projects.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship management

Technical delivery

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Science or Engineering

Master of Science or Engineering

Job description

Company Description

AECOM is seeking a Data Centre Lead - MEA to be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Cape Town. This position will support a team locally based in South Africa and Global Teams. As a part of AECOM's culture, it offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement which accommodates both office and out-of-office work schedules.

About Enterprise Capabilities

Fundamental to our Think and Act Globally strategy and digital adoption, Enterprise Capabilities (EC) is AECOM’s primary vehicle for workshare. Operating across geographic boundaries and time-zones, EC partners with regional and Global Business Line project teams to provide technical expertise, accelerate delivery and keep AECOM competitive in the industry.

With a team of over 3000 technical professionals located across nine countries and remote technical anchors, EC teams are trusted to deliver high-quality, specialist services that help to fill capability gaps, resourcing needs and technical constraints on projects of all scopes and sizes.

Start here. Grow here.

Job Description

Here is what you will do:

We are seeking a talented and experienced individual to oversee our MEA Data Centre business. Focus countries are KSA, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and South Africa.

This role will require both technical delivery (70%) and growing our business (30%), and you will be based in South Africa, as our technical teams are based here. You will be required to travel to the Middle East and occasionally to Europe for client meetings and site visits, and to attend industry conferences.

You will have the opportunity to work with our teams around the world on high-profile, fast-paced data center projects for global clients.

As project- and design manager you will oversee a wide variety of hyperscale data center projects from site due diligence, master planning, conceptual/schematic/detailed design through construction documents and construction administration.

You will be client facing and lead technical teams delivering the work and must be experienced in managing the design of hyperscale data centers, with a background in architecture or engineering, and have good written and verbal communication skills.

You will maintain excellent relationships with our existing clients and grow the business by taking on new clients and delivering additional services and growing our multidisciplinary team.

You will have the ability to take what has already been built and organize, grow, and take it to new levels of service and revenue.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage data center core and shell due diligence and design projects (including architecture, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, security, and fire protection) from start to finish, ensuring budget/schedule adherence, satisfaction of design requirements, and quality.
• Develop trusting relationship with client stakeholders/buyers
• Develop technical and financial proposals for new data center design projects
• Administer, oversee, and perform peer review and quality checks in line with AECOM standards.
• Oversee and maintain responsibility for project basis of design and localization process.
• Establish and oversee a process to detect, track and resolve scope changes, errors or inconsistencies throughout the design process.
• Host and attend meetings with client and external stakeholders.
• Manage and grow AECOM’s data center design team, fostering a sense comradery, collective ownership, and collaboration.
• Proactively manage and communicate change throughout the project both within AECOM and to our clients.
• Identify problems early and develop creative solutions.
• Contract management
• Proactively communicate with all stakeholders to provide project updates and resolve outstanding issues.
• Identify, onboard, and offboard design resources in coordination with department leadership (as needed to support project execution).
• Influence and implement a MEA data center market strategy, utilizing AECOM’s global teams and capabilities
• Build MEA relationships with senior leaders at global data center companies alongside the global technology market sector leader and technology client account managers
• Lead and grow data center due diligence, design, and construction administration team and practice
• Work closely and collaboratively with AECOM’s Global and Regional Market Sector Leaders (Europe, India, US, LATAM, Asia, ANZ, etc.) to share resources, augment capabilities, and bring the best of AECOM to each and every project.
• Grow existing clients in partnership with global technology market sector leader and technology client account managers
• Prepare and lead client presentations and interviews
• Travel as-needed to support project, client, and team needs.
• KPIs for this role would include project bookings, executed net service revenue, gross margin, and quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering from an accredited University
• Master of Science / Engineering would be advantageous
• +12 years experience within the Built Environment in a similar function or industry
• Professionally registered as an Engineer with ECSA would be advantageous

Additional Information

At AECOM, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity

At AECOM, our Freedom to Grow philosophy supports flexibility and balance to help our people thrive. As part of this approach, we ask all hybrid employees to work from an AECOM office at least three days per week.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.