Assistant Project Manager - Development in London

The Assistant Project Manager will be a critical member of the CloudHQ (CHQ) Development team across the EMEA region, supporting the Project Manager and Development Team during the pre‑construction phase of hyperscale data centre projects. The role is responsible for supporting projects from site identification and due diligence through planning, design development, and contractor procurement, ensuring that projects are fully defined, supported by robust cost planning and commercial decision‑making to de‑risk them prior to construction.

While focused on pre‑construction, the role requires a good understanding of the full project lifecycle—construction delivery, commissioning, and operations—to translate early decisions into successful project execution. This position requires a developer mindset, balancing technical, commercial, planning, and stakeholder considerations to inform project decisions and define project directions at the earliest stages.

Requirements

• Support project leadership, build and leverage partnerships with internal teams (development, construction, operations, finance, legal) and external stakeholders (consultants, authorities granting jurisdiction, utilities providers, project partners, contracts).
• Support project governance, reporting and approvals processes.
• Ensure clear communication of project status, risks and identify where key decisions can be made or escalation to executive leadership is required.
• Support projects from early‑stage feasibility through to construction readiness.
• Define and manage scope, budget, programme, and development strategy.
• Lead and coordinate site due diligence, working with site selection, legal, technical and consultant teams to ascertain:
• Test‑fit feasibility with regard to tenant requirements, planning and zoning constraints.
• Power, water, fibre and infrastructure availability.
• Environmental, legal, commercial and technical risks.
• Confirm alignment with project business cases and manage internal investment approvals.
• Subsequently, with technical teams, support the development of concept, basis of design, and detailed design packages.
• Manage and coordinate multi‑disciplinary consultants (architects, engineers, planners, project & cost management consultants).
• With consultant support and PM oversight, develop and manage development budgets and ensure cashflow alignment.
• Coordination and management of internal and external resources, and driving results in:
• Change management.
• Procurement, confirming strategies, scope definitions and ensuring Employer’s Requirements are complied with.
• Pro‑active management of market conditions and ensure agile approach to adaptation (supply chain, contractor availability, utilities constraints).
• Goal alignment/Stakeholder management.
• Risk identification and ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are in place.
• Establish reporting protocols on scope and schedule as required, ensuring effective reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensure establishment of a robust and detailed project programme that can be used to negotiate lease agreements with hyperscale tenants.
• Ensure delivery awareness, applying practical understandings of construction sequencing and logistics, commissioning and integration of systems to be able to hand over to operational teams.
• Ensure projects are fully prepared for construction delivery prior to handover, liaising with the construction delivery team to ensure continuity and intent is preserved.
• Ensuring compliance to Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) regulations, and requirements. Promote a safe working environment for all team members, colleagues, contractors and customers.
• Challenge and remove barriers by working with others around a shared need or customer benefit. Be proactive in driving for the best solutions for our customers.
• Maintain a broader perspective, identify and evaluate opportunities to enhance the business through cross‑group collaboration across all disciplines.
• Liaise with our customers to assist them in the delivery of their preferred solutions into CHQ Data Centres and be part of the team that makes us the data centre provider of choice.
• Consult with global CHQ colleagues to ensure best practice is uniform across all our developments, irrespective of geographic location.
• Champion CHQ initiatives on all projects.
• Adhere to and promote the core values of CHQ.

Education

A degree is preferred but not essential. Industry‑recognised project management qualifications are desirable, but the core requirement for this role is substantial, demonstrable experience in delivering complex projects.

Experience

Minimum 4+ years of experience in Data Centre, critical infrastructure or complex real‑estate development projects (e.g. pharmaceutical, semi‑conductor). Strong experience in pre‑construction, development and early lifecycle roles with exposure to utilities strategy, planning/permitting systems and different contracting models.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of construction processes across EMEA.
• Experience managing and/or being a key part of multiple major projects effectively.
• Working knowledge of construction contracts used across EMEA.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with a team, as well as work independently applying individual expertise.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate.
• Critical thinker and problem solver.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally (EMEA) on a regular basis, with a valid passport and awareness of visa requirements and Schengen travel limitations.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Proficiency with MS Office.
• Experience with Scheduling/Programming software and analysis.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast‑paced environment, recognising needs to work outside of normal business hours due to global business needs.
• High attention to detail with ability to think strategically and understand wider business objectives.