Job Title: Commissioning Director – Hyperscale Data Centres
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