At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global data centre project scheduling and ensure timely delivery across multiple geographies.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company that values collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and generous paid leave.
- Other info: Dynamic work culture focused on support, growth, and fun.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in large-scale infrastructure projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in project scheduling with expertise in large-scale infrastructure.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
The Senior Director of Schedule and Planning plays a pivotal leadership role in overseeing the strategic development, coordination, and execution of scheduling and planning across Vantage’s large-scale global data center projects. You will be responsible for leading and optimizing the project scheduling function to ensure timely delivery, aligned with customer requirements, and coordinated across multiple geographies. This senior role will require significant experience in high-value infrastructure projects and a deep understanding of complex stakeholder management. You will be accountable for driving alignment across internal teams, external partners, and customers, fostering a culture of excellence in project execution, and mitigating risks that could impact delivery.
Essential Job Functions
- Strategic Schedule Development and Project Coordination: Ensure projects have reporting metrics in place to support on time delivery of key client milestones, including ensuring VDC has standardised leading indicators to facilitate early interventions. Minimise client-initiated escalations due to schedule delays. Ensure VDC’s expectations are clearly laid out to GC’s at project initiation and referenced in their contracts. Ensure our supply chain are held to account to meet VDC scheduling and reporting expectations. Ensure our projects start well at project initiation and before site mobilisation. Develop, implement, and maintain master schedules for all global data centre development projects, ensuring synchronization of critical milestones, timelines, and deliverables across diverse teams and geographies. Lead high-level coordination with internal teams (design, engineering, procurement, construction, etc.) and external stakeholders (contractors, consultants, vendors) to ensure flawless execution of project schedules. Attend (or delegate attendance to senior Planning Department member) monthly VP project reviews. Provide oversight on site acquisition, permitting, design, construction, and commissioning to guarantee seamless sequencing of critical activities.
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Act as the senior point of contact for global customers, managing the integration of their requirements and expectations into the project timelines and delivery schedules. Cultivate relationships with senior leadership, customers, and external stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment throughout the project lifecycle. Lead customer-facing meetings and presentations, articulating schedule updates, managing escalations, and ensuring executive stakeholders are always informed and aligned.
- Advanced Risk Identification and Mitigation: Proactively identify potential risks to project schedules across all phases, including permitting, procurement, contractor availability, and construction. Lead the development of comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, ensuring contingency planning and the ability to respond to unforeseen delays without compromising project deadlines. Perform ongoing risk assessments to identify emerging challenges and continuously refine schedules and mitigation plans as needed.
- Leadership in Schedule Integration Across Disciplines: Oversee the integration of detailed schedules across all disciplines (civil, mechanical, electrical, IT infrastructure), ensuring all workstreams are aligned and coordinated for on-time delivery. Provide expert guidance on schedule development processes, driving consistency and excellence across global projects while ensuring compliance with company standards and local regulations.
- Technology and Tools Utilization: Utilize advanced scheduling and project management tools (Primavera P6, MS Project, etc.) to ensure real-time tracking, monitoring, and reporting of project progress. Champion the continuous improvement of scheduling methodologies, adopting industry best practices, and mentoring team members on the effective use of scheduling software.
- Data-Driven Performance Reporting and Analytics: Deliver comprehensive, data-driven reports on schedule performance, variances, and trends to senior leadership and key stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making. Ensure full transparency regarding schedule adjustments, providing clear, actionable insights to customers and project teams to address potential delays and optimize outcomes. Ensure centralised portfolio wide metrics are available to VDC senior stakeholders.
- Crisis Management and Contingency Planning: Lead the formulation of robust crisis management protocols and recovery plans for projects facing unforeseen delays or challenges. Spearhead risk workshops with cross-functional teams, ensuring ongoing evaluation and adaptation of mitigation strategies to maintain project trajectory.
- Team Leadership and Talent Development: Lead a global team of scheduling professionals, driving a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Mentor team members, share best practices, and build organizational capability in scheduling expertise to ensure long-term project success. Foster a collaborative, high-performance environment where innovative solutions are encouraged, and team members are empowered to take ownership of their work.
Job Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field. Advanced certifications (e.g., PMP, PgMP) preferred.
- Experience: 15+ years of experience in project scheduling and planning, with a focus on large-scale infrastructure or data center development projects. Proven track record in managing complex, multi-disciplinary teams and global stakeholders.
- Technical Expertise: Extensive experience with scheduling software (Primavera P6, MS Project, etc.), advanced knowledge of project lifecycles, critical path management, and resource optimization.
- Strategic Leadership: Exceptional ability to drive strategic initiatives, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and ensure the alignment of schedules with organizational goals.
- Risk Management: Deep expertise in risk identification, analysis, and mitigation within high-stakes, time-sensitive infrastructure projects.
- Communication and Influence: Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to influence decision-makers and present complex data clearly and persuasively.
- Leadership and Team Development: Proven success in leading, developing, and mentoring high-performing teams across global projects.
Additional Details
We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.
Senior Director, Planning, EMEA in Slough employer: Vantage Data Centers
Vantage is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and high-performance work culture, where team members are encouraged to innovate and take ownership of their projects. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, employees benefit from comprehensive health and welfare packages, competitive compensation, and opportunities for mentorship in a supportive environment. Located in a dynamic sector, Vantage offers the chance to lead large-scale global data centre projects while working alongside talented professionals who value teamwork and mutual respect.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Planning, EMEA in Slough
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Vantage Data Centers, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Director, Planning, EMEA at Vantage Data Centers.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Planning, EMEA in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vantage Data Centers
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
