Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time in City of London
Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time

Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time in City of London

City of London Full-Time 120000 - 180000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
People Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and shape commissioning strategies for cutting-edge hyperscale data centres across the UK and Europe.
  • Company: Join a Tier 1 contractor known for delivering mission-critical facilities.
  • Benefits: Attractive salary, enhanced benefits, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact in the fast-paced world of hyperscale data centres.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in mission-critical MEP delivery and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Opportunity for international travel and career advancement in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 180000 £ per year.

Location: London (Flexible Working) – Extensive Travel across the UK & Europe

Salary: £145,000 - £165,000 Per Annum + Enhanced Benefits Package

Client: Our client is a Tier 1 main contractor delivering major mission-critical facilities across the UK and Europe. As demand for hyperscale data centres accelerates, they are expanding their leadership team and seeking a highly experienced Commissioning Director to shape, grow, and lead our commissioning capability across multiple regions. This is a senior leadership role suited to someone who combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision, commercial strength, and the ability to deliver world-class critical infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

  • Hyperscale Commissioning Strategy
    • Develop and implement a portfolio-wide commissioning strategy aligned to hyperscale delivery models
    • Establish standardised commissioning methodologies, templates, and governance to support rapid, repeatable deployment
    • Drive early commissioning involvement from concept design through construction and handover
    • Align commissioning plans with:
    • Hyperscale client technical standards
    • Modular and phased delivery strategies
    • Campus and multi-building programmes
  • Portfolio & Programme Leadership
    • Provide executive leadership across multiple concurrent hyperscale projects or campuses
    • Oversee commissioning sequencing to support:
    • Early energisation
    • Partial handovers
    • Phased operational readiness
  • Manage and mentor regional commissioning leads and project teams
  • Act as escalation point for technical, safety, and programme-critical issues
  • Client & Stakeholder Interface
    • Serve as the senior commissioning interface with hyperscale clients, including:
    • Owner’s engineering teams
    • Operations & reliability teams
    • Independent Commissioning Authorities (ICA)
  • Lead high-level technical workshops, design assurance reviews, and readiness gates
  • Manage client witness testing and acceptance across phased handovers
  • Support client-driven operational readiness reviews and turnover processes
  • Technical Oversight – Mission Critical Systems
    • Provide technical governance and assurance across all hyperscale-critical systems, including:
    • Electrical
    • Utility intake, HV/LV infrastructure
    • Generators, paralleling systems, fuel systems
    • UPS (static and rotary), batteries, and energy storage
    • Mechanical
    • Air-cooled and liquid-cooled systems
    • Chillers, cooling towers, CRAH/CRAC
    • Direct-to-chip and rear-door heat exchanger solutions
    • Controls & Integration
    • BMS, EPMS, SCADA, and DCIM interfaces
    • Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and failure mode validation
    • Life Safety & Compliance
    • Fire detection and suppression systems
    • Integrated life safety testing
    • Regulatory and AHJ compliance
  • Ensure commissioning validates:
    • Fault tolerance and redundancy
    • Operational resilience
    • Client-specific performance metrics
  • Safety & Risk Leadership
    • Champion a zero-harm commissioning culture in live and energised environments
    • Govern safe systems of work for:
    • HV energisation
    • Load testing
    • Live failover testing
  • Identify and mitigate commissioning-related programme, technical, and operational risks
  • Ensure compliance with all local and international safety regulations
  • Commercial & Preconstruction Input
    • Lead commissioning input during bid, preconstruction, and early works phases
    • Define commissioning scope, resources, durations, and cost allowances
    • Support commercial negotiations, variations, and risk reviews related to commissioning
    • Drive continuous improvement based on lessons learned across hyperscale programmes
  • Digital, Data & Standardisation
    • Promote use of digital commissioning tools, data capture, and analytics
    • Ensure commissioning data supports:
    • Asset information models
    • Client operational platforms
    • Long-term reliability and maintenance strategies
  • Drive standardisation and automation where possible to support scale delivery
  • Key Accountabilities

    • On-time commissioning and phased handover across hyperscale campuses
    • Consistent delivery aligned to hyperscale client standards
    • Safe execution of all commissioning activities
    • Successful client acceptance and operational readiness
    • Development of scalable, repeatable commissioning capability

    Required Experience

    Essential

    • 10+ years in mission-critical MEP delivery
    • Proven leadership delivering hyperscale data centre projects (multiple buildings or campuses)
    • Experience managing commissioning across parallel, high-velocity programmes
    • Deep understanding of hyperscale delivery models and client-driven standards
    • Extensive experience with:
    • Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
    • Live environment commissioning
    • Phased handovers and early energisation

    Desirable

    • Direct experience working with major hyperscale clients
    • International hyperscale programme experience
    • Experience with modular and prefabricated data centre solutions

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Building Services Engineering, or similar
    • Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional status

    Desirable

    • Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)
    • Data Centre Commissioning certifications
    • Formal leadership or project management qualifications

    Personal Attributes

    • Executive-level presence and credibility with hyperscale clients
    • Strong decision-making under programme pressure
    • Highly structured, process-driven, and data-led mindset
    • Collaborative leadership style with a focus on safety and quality

    Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time in City of London employer: People Group

    As a leading Tier 1 main contractor in the hyperscale data centre sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide extensive training opportunities and a supportive culture that encourages professional growth. Located in London with flexible working arrangements and extensive travel across the UK and Europe, we ensure our team members are well-equipped to lead critical infrastructure projects while enjoying a dynamic and rewarding career.
    People Group

    Contact Detail:

    People Group Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time in City of London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to impress them with our knowledge of their hyperscale data centres and how we can contribute to their success. Show them you’re not just another candidate!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. We need to be ready to tackle those tricky questions about commissioning strategies and technical oversight.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping us top of mind. Plus, it shows our enthusiasm for the role and the company.

    We think you need these skills to ace Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time in City of London

    Commissioning Strategy Development
    Standardised Commissioning Methodologies
    Project Leadership
    Client Interface Management
    Technical Governance
    Electrical Systems Knowledge
    Mechanical Systems Knowledge
    Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
    Safety and Risk Management
    Commercial Input and Negotiation
    Digital Commissioning Tools
    Data Capture and Analytics
    Operational Readiness Reviews
    Phased Handover Management
    Collaborative Leadership

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in hyperscale data centres. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in high-pressure environments.

    Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.

    How to prepare for a job interview at People Group

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to hyperscale data centres. Understand the key systems involved, like electrical and mechanical components, and be ready to discuss your experience with integrated systems testing and phased handovers.

    ✨Showcase Leadership Skills

    As a Commissioning Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments, managed multiple projects simultaneously, and mentored others in your field.

    ✨Align with Client Needs

    Familiarise yourself with the specific standards and expectations of hyperscale clients. Be prepared to discuss how you can align commissioning strategies with their technical requirements and operational readiness goals.

    ✨Safety First Mindset

    Emphasise your commitment to safety and risk management during the interview. Share your experiences in promoting a zero-harm culture and how you've governed safe systems of work in live environments.

    Planning Policy Team Leader / Full time in City of London
    People Group
    Location: City of London

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