Principal Project Manager – Data Centres
Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: Up to £70,000 + Benefits
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Project Manager to join a leading multidisciplinary consultancy in London. This role will focus primarily on delivering major data centre projects for private sector technology clients, while also supporting projects across life sciences, higher education, healthcare, scientific research facilities, and commercial real estate.
As a senior member of the project management team, you will lead the successful delivery of complex, high-value projects and programmes throughout their lifecycle, ensuring excellence in client service, commercial performance, and project outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the delivery of complex capital projects from inception through to completion.
* Manage major data centre developments and associated stakeholder requirements.
* Act as the primary point of contact for key clients, building and maintaining strong relationships.
* Provide strategic project and programme management advice to clients.
* Manage project budgets, scope, programme, risk, change control, and governance processes.
* Coordinate and align client teams, consultants, contractors, and subcontractors to ensure successful project delivery.
* Lead multidisciplinary project teams and mentor junior project management professionals.
* Drive commercial performance by identifying efficiencies and delivering value for clients.
* Support procurement strategies, contract administration, and project governance activities.
* Contribute to business development initiatives, identifying opportunities for new and repeat business.
* Ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, safety, and client satisfaction.
Candidate Requirements
Essential
* Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline.
* Chartered professional status in a relevant field (e.g. MAPM, ChPP, MRICS or equivalent).
* Proven experience managing complex, high-risk construction projects and programmes.
* Demonstrable experience delivering data centre projects.
* Experience leading project teams and managing multiple stakeholders.
* Strong background in contract administration, procurement, and commercial management.
* Experience in design management through both project inception and construction phases.
* Either:
* Significant involvement in the delivery of a £100m+ capital project, or
* Lead Project Manager experience on projects valued at £15m+.
* Strong understanding of project controls including budget management, programme management, risk, and change control.
* Ability to assess complex project challenges and develop practical solutions that achieve successful outcomes.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
* Experience across sectors including life sciences, healthcare, higher education, research facilities, or commercial property.
* Track record of contributing to business development and achieving team revenue targets.
* Experience working within multidisciplinary consultancy environments.
Personal Attributes
* Client-focused with the ability to quickly understand organisational cultures, priorities, and objectives.
* Commercially minded with a strong focus on delivering value.
* Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and motivate teams.
* Comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments.
* Proactive, solutions-focused, and adaptable.