Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – Data Centres (MEP Pre-Construction) Location: London or Amsterdam (with travel to Kristiansand, Norway) Employment: Permanent / Full Time Sector: Data Centres / Mission Critical Salary: €120,000 Travel: Norway approximately 1–2 times per month Package: Business travel, accommodation and car hire provided when required Start Date: Immediate / ASAP The Opportunity: Empire Partnership is working with a leading international construction consultancy on the appointment of an experienced Senior Project Manager (MEP) to support the pre-construction phase of a major data centre development in Norway. This position offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced consultancy professional with extensive data centre knowledge and a strong background in pre-construction and pre-contract project management. Unlike traditional Norway-based project roles, this position will be predominantly office-based in either London or Amsterdam, with travel to Norway required approximately 1–2 times per month. The successful candidate will play a key role in the early project stages, working closely with the client, design consultants, contractors and wider project team to ensure the successful planning, coordination and preparation of MEP packages ahead of construction. Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage MEP activities throughout the pre-construction and pre-contract phases of a major data centre development.
• Oversee design development, technical reviews and coordination of mechanical and electrical packages.
• Work closely with the client, consultants and project stakeholders to establish project requirements, deliverables and programme objectives.
• Manage design coordination, identifying potential risks, technical challenges and interface issues ahead of construction.
• Support procurement strategies, tender preparation, contractor evaluations and pre-contract negotiations.
• Review project budgets, cost plans, construction methodologies and programme requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams to ensure project readiness ahead of construction.
• Monitor design progress and ensure key milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Provide technical input and strategic guidance on MEP systems, buildability, procurement and project delivery.
• Prepare and present progress reports, risk registers and programme updates to key stakeholders.
• Ensure a structured transition from pre-construction into the construction and delivery phases.

Experience Required: Candidates must demonstrate the following:

• Extensive data centre experience working on large-scale, technically complex or hyperscale developments.
• Previous experience working within a construction consultancy in a project management capacity.
• Strong pre-construction and pre-contract experience, ideally leading MEP packages from early design through procurement and construction readiness.
• Excellent technical understanding of data centre MEP infrastructure, including mechanical and electrical systems, HVAC, chilled water, HV electrical infrastructure and associated critical systems.
• Proven experience managing design development, consultant coordination, procurement and tender processes.
• Strong knowledge of project programming, risk management, cost planning and contractual processes.
• Experience working directly with clients, developers and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, reporting and communication skills.
• A relevant qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.

Please note: This position specifically requires candidates with both data centre and construction consultancy experience, alongside substantial involvement in the pre-construction/pre-contract phase. Candidates whose experience is predominantly site-based construction delivery without this background will not be suitable. Location & Travel:

• The successful candidate will be based predominantly in the London or Amsterdam office, depending on their location and preference.
• Travel to the project in Norway, will be required approximately 1–2 times per month, rather than a traditional site-based rotation.
• This provides an opportunity to contribute to a major European data centre development without the requirement to relocate to Norway.
• Candidates must have the appropriate right to work in their chosen office location and be able to undertake the required business travel to Norway.

Interested? This is an immediate requirement, and we would welcome conversations with suitably experienced Senior Project Managers who are available now or at short notice. For a confidential discussion about the project and position, please contact: Grace Murphy Empire Partnership M: +44 7788 588 650 E: gmurphy@empirepartnership.co.uk