Project Director (Data Centres) in London

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of the flagship data centre project for a Melbourne contractor entering one of the most exciting and underserved markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia's data centre sector is at an early but rapidly accelerating stage of growth — driven by surging demand for cloud, AI, and digital infrastructure — and this business is positioning itself to be a significant player at exactly the right moment.

As Project Director, you will lead the full 2.5-year delivery programme from mobilisation through to commissioning and handover — a project that will define the company's reputation and capability in this sector. This is not a caretaker role; you will set the standard, build the team, and own the outcome from day one. Beyond the immediate project, the opportunity extends much further. You will be actively involved in the pre-construction of future data centre developments in the pipeline, shaping how the business approaches and wins work in this space.

The medium-term ambition is clear: to establish a dedicated data centre division, and the person who leads this first project is the natural candidate to become the business's Data Centre Lead — and ultimately, Country Lead for the sector in Australia. For a candidate with the right experience and ambition, the timing is exceptional. The Australian data centre market remains largely untapped at scale, the demand pipeline is enormous, and this contractor has the relationships, capability, and financial strength to pursue it aggressively. The person who helps build this platform from the ground up will have shaped something genuinely significant.

Our client is one of Melbourne's most respected construction businesses — a privately owned contractor with deep roots in the city and a growing reputation for delivering technically complex, large-scale projects across multiple sectors. With over $2 billion of work currently under construction and a stable, experienced leadership team at the helm, this is a business built for longevity and sustainable growth.

Operating exclusively in the Melbourne market, they have deliberately chosen depth over spread — becoming one of the most capable and trusted names in the local construction landscape. Their work spans major mixed-use developments, commercial office, build-to-rent, retirement living, and an expanding footprint in the data centre and technology infrastructure space, where they have secured a landmark partnership with an international data centre developer.

With 240 staff and a leadership team that has cultivated genuine loyalty across the business — over 50 team members with more than a decade of service — this is not a typical large contractor. Staff turnover sits at just 11%, an extraordinary figure for the sector, and one that speaks to how the company is managed. Their culture is embedded on-site, and the business has a well-earned reputation for looking after its people, from structured career development to a culture of genuine community and mutual support.

This is a company at a pivotal moment — securing landmark project wins, entering new and exciting sectors, and investing heavily in the senior talent needed to deliver on its ambitions. For the right candidate, this represents a rare opportunity to join a high-performing, values-driven business at the top of its game.

You will be joining a delivery team that is mobilising for a major 100 MW data centre project — a technically complex, large-scale development that will be one of the most significant construction programmes undertaken in Melbourne in recent years. The project involves full structural base build through to services installation and commissioning, with a programme spanning several years through to final fit-out and handover.

The business has developed strong relationships with leading international data centre developers and technology clients, and this project reflects their ability to compete at the highest level of the market. You will work alongside experienced specialists in services, design, and commercial, supported by a company that has built its reputation on quality, programme certainty, and consistent delivery.

The working culture is collaborative and community-driven — a team-first environment where people are empowered to lead but never left to navigate challenges alone. Leadership is visible and engaged, with a genuine open-door culture that is rare at this scale. The business places a strong emphasis on bringing people through, developing internal capability, and promoting from within wherever possible.

For candidates relocating from overseas, the company provides comprehensive support including flights, short-term accommodation, and visa assistance, making the transition to Melbourne as seamless as possible. Melbourne itself offers an exceptional quality of life — consistently ranked among the world's most liveable cities, with a vibrant food and arts scene, outstanding schools, strong expatriate networks, and a mild climate that makes it an attractive long-term base for professionals and families alike.

Responsibilities

• Lead full end-to-end delivery of a large-scale data centre project from mobilisation through to commissioning and handover.
• Establish project governance, programme baselines, and delivery frameworks from the outset, setting the standard for execution across all workstreams.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across structure, services, design, and commercial functions.
• Own client relationships at senior level, providing regular performance updates and maintaining confidence throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive programme performance, identifying risks early and implementing effective mitigation strategies to protect critical milestones.
• Oversee commercial management including budget control, contract administration, and subcontractor performance.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, quality, and environmental standards throughout delivery.
• Mentor and develop project team members, supporting a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Liaise with design consultants, specialist subcontractors, and commissioning teams to ensure technical requirements are met at every stage.

What You Need

• Minimum 10 years' experience delivering data centre projects, with demonstrable success on large-scale programmes of 100 MW or greater.
• International project experience, ideally having worked directly with blue-chip technology clients in mission-critical environments.
• Proven ability to lead full end-to-end project delivery from mobilisation through to commissioning and handover.
• Strong technical knowledge across structure, services, and commissioning, with the ability to coordinate complex multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent commercial acumen, with experience managing large programme budgets and complex subcontract packages.
• Senior stakeholder management skills and the confidence to represent the business at the highest levels.
• Availability to mobilise and relocate to Melbourne within 3–6 months, with a genuine commitment to building a long-term career within the business.

What You'll Get in Return

This role offers a base salary of AUD $400,000 plus a 20% performance bonus — reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of the position. A novated lease arrangement is available in lieu of a company vehicle. The company will provide flights, short-term accommodation (Airbnb), and support with visa and relocation logistics for candidates based overseas. Payment terms are structured on a 30-day cycle.

Beyond the package, this is an opportunity to step into a position with genuine executive influence — where your decisions will shape the delivery of one of Melbourne's most significant construction projects. In a business that values its people, promotes from within, and has built a culture that is genuinely distinct from the industry norm, this is a career move with long-term substance.

Who We're Looking For

This project is ready to move. The contractor is mobilising now and requires someone on the ground in Melbourne within three to six months — which means the recruitment process will be swift and the expectation of commitment from the successful candidate is equally clear. We are specifically looking for candidates who are at or approaching the end of a current project.

The ideal profile is someone wrapping up a major data centre programme — where handover, commissioning, or close-out is imminent — and who is ready to step straight into their next challenge without a lengthy gap between roles. This is not a position for someone mid-delivery with 18 months left to run. International mobility is essential. The right candidate will already be accustomed to moving for projects — someone for whom relocating to a new country for the right opportunity is a natural next step rather than a major disruption.

Experience working across multiple geographies and adapting quickly to new environments, teams, and client expectations is a strong indicator of fit. We fully understand that relocating involves more than the individual. For candidates with families, the expectation is pragmatic: the successful candidate would ideally be on the ground in Melbourne first, with family relocation to follow once initial project commitments are established. The company is supportive of this approach and will work with the individual to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please submit an updated CV via the Apply Now button, or contact Mick Donaghy directly on email for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.