Project Manager

About the organisation

Our client is a boutique technical project management firm that focuses exclusively on Mechanical, Electrical, ICT, Security, Fire and Hydraulic services projects, with a strong focus on data centres.

The team works as an embedded part of its clients' organisations, partnering with asset owners, developers, main contractors and subcontractors from business case through to commissioning and handover. Its project managers have been on site as site engineers, services managers, design managers and client-side PMs, and have been personally accountable for cost, time and quality.

The firm has deep experience upgrading live data centres, including conversions from air-cooled to liquid-cooled (direct-to-chip) data halls, where the live halls cannot be disrupted. Its senior technical project managers each bring 13 to 25 years of construction and engineering experience across mechanical, electrical and construction management backgrounds.

The role

The Technical Project Manager ensures data centre projects meet design, time and cost targets, delivering efficient construction and engineering project services, including design, engineering and construction components, in line with all statutory, contractual and client requirements.

You will manage the briefing, design, planning and staging of engineering works while understanding the limits of live electrical, mechanical and ICT systems. As the key manager of a multidisciplinary project, you are accountable for value for money and for aligning the project with the client's operational and financial objectives.

Typical projects include live plantroom upgrades, HV/LV and mechanical infrastructure, data hall fit-outs and densification, liquid cooling retrofits, and new-build facilities. The common thread is that live data halls cannot be disrupted.

Key responsibilities

Briefing and design management

• Lead the briefing of external consultant teams across all infrastructure engineering disciplines, including structural and architectural, with the client's operational needs at the core of every brief.
• Verify as-built documentation on site and assess the existing facility so legacy issues are built into planning, with solutions offered for improvement.
• Coordinate design peer reviews with internal and external specialists, focusing on plant access, maintainability and commissionability.
• Oversee clash detection and services coordination (Revit and 2D).
• Develop strategic briefings for key stakeholders, testing options and incorporating feedback while avoiding design by committee.
• Take part in value engineering exercises across the building services disciplines.

Procurement and commercial management

• Define the procurement strategy (D&C, ECI, Managing Contractor or Construct Only) and run EOI processes, tender packages, evaluation and contractor selection.
• Manage large supply contracts for items such as MV/HV switchboards, transformers, generators, UPS and MSBs, including the long-lead procurement schedule.
• Manage the budget estimate, commitments, actuals and estimate at completion, along with variations and RFIs.
• Lead the partnership with head contractors, including contractual matters, performance, quality and delivery.

Live-environment delivery

• Manage, coordinate and install engineering systems into live data centres with minimal disruption to operations.
• Develop and continually improve the program and staging strategy, including shutdown and cut-over planning, with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage electrical authority, utility and planning approvals as part of the project timeline.
• Ensure compliance with building legislation and standards of performance, quality, cost and safety, including ITPs and SWMS.

Commissioning and handover

• Lead commissioning programming, integrated testing and handover to operations teams.
• Coordinate ICT and OT integration with security, SCADA and BMS contractors.

Governance and risk

• Develop, maintain and update Document Control Systems.
• Assess key risks and prepare mitigation plans covering disruption impacts, WHS, approvals and financial exposure.
• Provide stakeholder reporting at every stage, and build productive internal and external relationships.
• Share knowledge across the firm's NSW and QLD project teams and with clients.
• Ensure the safety of yourself, team members, contractors, labour hire, guests and visitors, in cooperation with management and in compliance with relevant legislation.

Selection criteria

Essential

• University degree in engineering, construction, property or a design-related discipline.
• 10 years' experience in the construction industry with a strong focus on engineering projects.
• Proven delivery of complex engineering projects in live environments, with strong HV, LV, mechanical and fire knowledge.
• Experience managing large supply contracts such as transformers, generators and main switchboards.
• Experience dealing with local electrical authorities.
• Experience interpreting and applying contracts, and knowledge of safety and environmental legislation.
• Analytical, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
• An industry qualification in project management (AIPM preferred).

Highly regarded

• Live data centre upgrade experience, including densification and air-cooled to liquid-cooled (DtC) conversions.
• Exposure to Uptime Tier or equivalent concurrently maintainable designs; ATD or DCCA certification is advantageous.
• Hyperscale or colocation data hall fit-out experience.
• ICT and OT integration experience (structured cabling, SCADA, BMS, security).
• Experience overseeing clash detection and coordination in Revit.
• Familiarity with secure or government facilities with SCEC-level requirements.
• Site-based experience as a site engineer, services manager or client-side project manager.
• Exposure to net zero and energy efficiency outcomes in mission-critical facilities.