Mechanical Construction Manager - London - 145427

Mechanical Construction Manager – Data Centres

Location: London

Sector: Data Centres

Discipline: Mechanical

Reporting to: Project Manager/ Project lead

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Construction Manager to lead the mechanical construction delivery of major Data Centre and Mission Critical project in London. The successful candidate will take ownership of the mechanical scope from mobilisation and first-fix installation through mechanical completion, pre-commissioning, commissioning, IST and final handover. This is a senior site-based construction role requiring strong practical knowledge of data centre cooling systems, chilled water and glycol systems, CRAHs, AHUs, pumps, pipework, ventilation, BMS controls and associated mechanical infrastructure. The Mechanical Construction Manager will be responsible for ensuring mechanical works are delivered safely, to the required quality, in accordance with the project programme and fully coordinated with Electrical, CSA, Controls/BMS and Commissioning activities. The individual must be delivery focused, technically competent and capable of managing large mechanical subcontractors and multidisciplinary site teams within a fast-paced data centre environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the mechanical construction delivery of the project.
• Lead Mechanical supervisors, subcontractors and specialist vendors.
• Develop and drive the mechanical construction strategy in line with the overall project programme and commissioning sequence.
• Manage the installation and completion of key data centre mechanical systems, including:
  • Chilled water systems
  • CRAHs / CRACs
  • AHUs and ventilation systems
  • Pumps and pump skids
  • Pressurisation and expansion systems
  • Mechanical pipework and associated valves
  • Drainage systems
  • Leak detection interfaces
  • Plant room installations
  • Mechanical controls and BMS interfaces
  • Associated packaged mechanical equipment
• Ensure construction activities are properly sequenced around data halls, plant rooms, risers, roof areas and external plant areas.
• Review drawings, specifications, BIM models and technical submissions to confirm constructability, access, maintainability and installation sequencing before works commence.
• Coordinate closely with Electrical and CSA Construction Managers to manage multidisciplinary interfaces and prevent clashes or delays.
• Ensure equipment access routes, structural supports, openings and builder's work requirements are available ahead of mechanical installation.
• Manage subcontractor performance against programme, manpower, productivity, safety and quality requirements.
• Review manpower and supervision levels and ensure sufficient resources are maintained to achieve project milestones.
• Maintain a strong site presence and ensure reported progress accurately reflects the actual physical position on site.

Programme & Planning

• Work closely with the Planning team to develop realistic mechanical construction programmes aligned with the overall project schedule.
• Develop and manage:
  • Six-week look-ahead programmes
  • Two-week and weekly work plans
  • Manpower forecasts
  • Area and system completion plans
  • Recovery programmes
  • Commissioning readiness plans
• Identify programme constraints, access issues, design delays, procurement risks and resource shortfalls early and drive actions through to resolution.
• Ensure mechanical construction activities are aligned with key data centre milestones including energisation, mechanical completion, commissioning and IST.
• Challenge subcontractors where progress or manpower is insufficient and implement recovery measures where required.

Engineering & BIM Coordination

• Work closely with Engineering and BIM teams to ensure coordinated and approved construction information is available ahead of installation.
• Review mechanical layouts for buildability, access, maintenance requirements and installation sequencing.
• Identify and resolve clashes between mechanical services and electrical containment, busbar, structural steelwork, raised access floors, ceilings, fire protection and other building services.
• Ensure Builder's Work Openings, equipment bases, supports, penetrations and access requirements are identified and delivered ahead of the mechanical installation.
• Manage site-generated technical queries and ensure design issues are resolved without unnecessary impact to construction.

Procurement & Logistics

• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure major mechanical equipment and materials are delivered in accordance with the construction sequence.
• Monitor procurement and delivery status of critical equipment.
• Develop installation and logistics strategies for major plant.
• Coordinate lifting, cranage, access and movement of mechanical equipment into final position.
• Ensure delivered equipment is inspected, stored correctly and adequately protected throughout construction.

Quality & Mechanical Completion

• Drive a right-first-time approach to mechanical installation.
• Ensure installations comply with approved drawings, specifications, manufacturers' requirements and project quality standards.
• Manage mechanical QA/QC processes including:
  • Inspection and Test Plans
  • Installation inspections
  • Pressure testing
  • Flushing and cleaning
  • Chemical treatment
  • Pipework cleanliness
  • Equipment installation checks
  • System completion documentation
• Ensure snagging is completed progressively and does not accumulate towards the end of the programme.
• Drive system and area completion in accordance with agreed turnover dates.
• Ensure mechanical systems achieve formal Mechanical Completion before being released to the Commissioning team.

Commissioning & IST Readiness

• Work closely with the Commissioning Manager to ensure mechanical systems are constructed and handed over in the required commissioning sequence.
• Coordinate pre-commissioning activities including:
  • Pressure testing
  • Flushing
  • Cleaning
  • Chemical treatment
  • Filling and venting
  • Pump preparation
  • Equipment checks
  • Controls/BMS readiness
• Ensure mechanical installations are complete before functional testing begins.
• Support commissioning of CRAHs, AHUs, pumps and critical cooling systems.
• Coordinate mechanical requirements associated with BMS controls, alarms, monitoring and electrical power availability.
• Ensure construction defects and commissioning snags are closed quickly and systematically.
• Support preparation for Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and ensure all mechanical systems are fully operational and available for testing.
• Support client witnessing, demonstrations and final handover.

Health & Safety

• Maintain a strong safety culture across all mechanical construction activities.
• Ensure subcontractors work in accordance with approved RAMS and project safety procedures.
• Manage risks associated with:
  • Lifting operations
  • Pressure testing
  • Hot works
  • Working at height
  • Confined spaces
  • Chemical treatment
  • Heavy plant installation
  • Live / energised environments
• Ensure mechanical works are properly coordinated with energisation activities and controlled within live data centre environments.

Leadership & Coordination

• Lead mechanical construction and subcontractor progress meetings.
• Participate in overall construction coordination and programme meetings.
• Provide clear priorities and direction to Mechanical Package Managers, Engineers and Supervisors.
• Hold subcontractors accountable for agreed dates, manpower, productivity and quality.
• Maintain strong communication between Construction, Engineering, BIM, Procurement, Planning, QA/QC and Commissioning teams.
• Represent the mechanical construction team professionally with the client, consultants and senior project stakeholders.
• Escalate significant technical, programme, resource or commercial risks to the Construction Lead / Project Director.

Experience & Requirements

• Significant experience in Mechanical Construction Management within Data Centres or Mission Critical environments.
• Strong practical knowledge of data centre mechanical and cooling systems.
• Experience delivering chilled water and/or glycol cooling systems.
• Experience with CRAHs, AHUs, pumps, pipework and associated mechanical plant.
• Strong understanding of BMS and controls interfaces.
• Experience managing large mechanical subcontractors and site teams.
• Strong understanding of Mechanical, Electrical and CSA construction interfaces.
• Experience managing mechanical works through construction, mechanical completion, commissioning and IST.
• Ability to read and challenge drawings, specifications, BIM models and technical submissions.
• Strong understanding of construction programmes, short-term planning, manpower and productivity management.
• Experience working within fast-track construction programmes.
• Strong knowledge of QA/QC, testing and mechanical completion processes.
• Previous hyperscale, colocation or major mission-critical Data Centre experience is highly desirable.

Preferred Background

• Mechanical trade or engineering background.
• Significant practical site experience with progression into construction management.
• Previous experience as a Mechanical Construction Manager, Senior Mechanical Package Manager or Mechanical Lead on major Data Centre projects.
• Relevant construction management and health & safety qualifications.
• Experience delivering projects in the UK and/or Ireland is preferred.

Key Attributes

The successful candidate must be:

• Delivery focused – drives physical progress and system completion.
• Technically strong – understands how complex mechanical systems are installed, tested and commissioned.
• Proactive – identifies problems before they affect the programme.
• Field focused – maintains a strong site presence and understands the real status of the works.
• Accountable – takes ownership of the mechanical scope through to final completion.
• Quality driven – promotes right-first-time installation and progressive snag-free completion.
• Commercially aware – understands the impact of changes, delays, rework and productivity.
• Collaborative – works effectively across CSA, Electrical, Controls and Commissioning disciplines.
• Strong leader – capable of managing subcontractors and multidisciplinary teams under demanding programme conditions.