Senior Project Manager – Data centres

Our client is a relatively new player within the UK data centre sector. They are part of a parent company based in the USA and have grown rapidly through acquisition over the last few years and now operate 45 different sites across the UK. The organisation is deep in acquisition mode and are about to add a further 10-sites to their portfolio with advanced talks for others that may come to fruition over the next 12-18 months

Our client is about to embark on a series of upgrades, improvements, refurbishment and extensions to their existing sites and they are now seeking a Senior Project Manager to join the team. The UK will likely be split into two regions: ‘North’ (Birmingham and above) and ‘South’ (South of Birmingham). The role can be based primarily from home, office or hybrid (whichever suits you best) but it will require some travel to sites as required.

The Senior Project Manager will be required to support the project delivery team with day-to-day issues, remove blockages to progress, and regularly report to the Project Director. Senior Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of projects within the organisation.  The role of the Senior Project Manager is to take full ownership and responsibility of all elements of the project management process, from inception through to implementation, delivery and final sign off. Working with the rest of the projects team, all projects are required to be driven through and in accordance with demand and project management process, to agreed timescales, budgeted costs and the required quality levels. Health and safety is always regarded as the top priority and should not be compromised with a focus given to driving continual improvement in this area.

Applicants are required to have experience of upgrade and / or refurbishment works within an occupied ‘live’ environment, rather than purely new build experience

Duties and Responsibilities

Act as the Senior Project Manager for the projects department, working across the portfolio of UK site. Works will include the following:

Providing the main point of contact throughout the lifecycle of the project for all internal and external stakeholders and project sponsors and ensures the successful handover to the Operations team on final acceptance.

Working closely with the Projects Director, providing regular updates, compiling weekly reports and utilising the escalation process in order to mitigate project risks and maintain project programmes.

Working closely with the Design team and external design consultants, the Senior Project Manager reviews existing project demands, capturing and quantifying the objectives to produce project plans, programmes and deliverables.

Working closely with the Cost Manager and finance team, providing regular cost updates, tracking variations and actual costs against the original cost plan.

Management of Health and Safety of the works across all UK Data Centre projects

Ensuring that the project scope is clearly defined, capturing the objectives and project brief, minimising variations, scope creep and cost increases

Co-ordination of works to ensure timely delivery of the project including liaison with the construction team, contractors, external resources and the site FM team

Preparation, submission and tracking of all necessary change controls

Responsible for ensuring completion of final commissioning with support from specialist teams (external or internal) prior to handover to Operations Team

Preparation of snagging lists and management of closing out of items

Formal handover to the Operations team at project completion

Providing Project Management support on any project across the UK

Management of project costs in line with approved business case

Regular reporting on progress of project to the Project Director

Management of external consultants and third-party supply partners required to deliver the project

Liaison with and progress reporting to Customers and the Project director

Obtaining quotes from 3rd parties and raising internal Purchase Requisition

Travel, including overnight stays for onsite meetings

Any other reasonable requests made by your line manager

Help and support the Project management team with day-to-day activities

Qualifications and Skills

Previous experience working within a critical environment is essential, with Data Centre specific experience being an advantage. The successful applicant will have substantial Project Management experience and a proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

Proven track record of working in a “Live Environment” is essential

Proven Project Management skills in a technical/construction environment

Demonstrable experience in managing budgets and financial tracking

Demonstrable experience in delivering projects to client satisfaction

Good working knowledge of MS Office and MS Project

Able to understand, manage and track project schedules

Demonstrable change management skills

Past experience in a technical trade qualification in engineering (critical environments or other sector) would be an advantage

Skilled in the identification, analysis and management of project risks

Able to effectively manage project issues to successful closure

Experienced in delivering to set project quality criteria

Minimum of 5 years’ experience working as a Project Manager in a similar environment

In return our client can offer a package that will include:

Strong basic salary

Private healthcare

Critical illness and life assurance

Pension contribution scheme

Discretionary bonus

Car and travel allowance