Senior Construction Manager – Data Centers (Hyperscale)
Location: Greater London Area, United Kingdom
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Construction Manager to lead the delivery of hyperscale data centre projects across the Greater London region. This is a senior site leadership role responsible for managing all phases of construction from pre-construction planning through commissioning and handover.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record delivering large-scale mission-critical facilities, demonstrating exceptional leadership, technical expertise, commercial awareness, and a relentless focus on safety, quality, programme delivery, and client satisfaction.
Working within a multidisciplinary project team, the Senior Construction Manager will coordinate contractors, consultants, client stakeholders, and commissioning teams to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership
- Lead all on-site construction activities for hyperscale data centre developments.
- Develop and implement construction execution strategies aligned with project objectives.
- Drive project delivery from enabling works through structural, architectural, MEP installation, testing, commissioning, and client handover.
- Ensure construction activities comply with project schedules, contractual obligations, and client requirements.
Health, Safety & Environmental Leadership
- Champion a “Safety First” culture across all project activities.
- Ensure compliance with UK Health & Safety legislation, CDM Regulations, and company HSE policies.
- Conduct regular site inspections, safety reviews, and leadership walkdowns.
- Drive proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation.
Programme Management
- Monitor construction progress against baseline schedules.
- Identify critical path risks and implement recovery plans where necessary.
- Coordinate sequencing between civil, structural, architectural, and MEP contractors.
- Support project controls with progress reporting and forecasting.
Contractor Management
- Lead principal contractors and subcontractors to achieve project milestones.
- Chair coordination meetings, progress reviews, and daily planning sessions.
- Ensure contractor performance meets expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and schedule.
- Resolve technical and commercial issues efficiently.
Quality Assurance
- Ensure all construction works comply with design specifications, industry standards, and quality management systems.
- Oversee inspection and test plans (ITPs), quality audits, and defect resolution.
- Promote a right-first-time culture throughout the project lifecycle.
Commercial Awareness
- Support commercial teams in evaluating change requests, variations, and claims.
- Monitor resource utilisation and productivity.
- Assist in cost control and value engineering initiatives.
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong working relationships with clients, consultants, design teams, local authorities, and internal project teams.
- Provide regular executive-level updates on project status, risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Represent the project during client meetings and senior leadership reviews.
Commissioning & Handover
- Support integrated systems testing and commissioning activities.
- Coordinate construction completion with commissioning teams.
- Ensure successful project close-out, documentation, and client acceptance.
Required Experience
- Minimum 10–15 years of construction management experience.
- Significant experience delivering mission-critical or hyperscale data centre projects.
- Experience managing projects valued in excess of £100 million.
- Strong understanding of civil, structural, architectural, and MEP construction.
- Demonstrated experience managing principal contractors and multiple subcontractors simultaneously.
- Experience with fast-track construction programmes.
- Proven leadership on live construction sites from groundworks through commissioning.
Qualifications
- Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- SMSTS Certification.
- CSCS Black Card (Manager Level).
- First Aid at Work (desirable).
- Membership of CIOB, ICE, RICS, or equivalent professional institution is advantageous.
Technical Knowledge
- UK Building Regulations.
- CDM Regulations 2015.
- NEC and JCT contract forms.
- Construction sequencing and logistics.
- MEP systems within mission-critical environments.
- Commissioning processes.
- Quality Management Systems.
- Risk Management.
- Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project (desirable).
- BIM coordination and digital construction tools.
Key Competencies
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
- Commercial and contractual awareness.
- Exceptional planning and organisational ability.
- Problem-solving under pressure.
- High attention to detail.
- Collaborative leadership style.
- Results-driven with a commitment to continuous improvement.
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