Commercial Manager - Data Center Developments

Currie & Brown is looking for a French Speaking Commercial Manager to join a key client team supporting one of Europe's most significant data centre developments in France. This role offers the opportunity to be seconded directly into a high-profile client organisation, working alongside a specialist team of commercial, project and technical experts delivering a major hyperscale campus.

You will play a critical role in overseeing commercial governance across the project lifecycle. Working closely with the client's leadership team, you'll be responsible for reviewing and approving the work of external project and commercial management consultants, ensuring robust commercial controls and successful project delivery.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor or Associate Commercial Manager with French market experience to contribute to a landmark project that is expected to remain in construction for several years. You'll gain exposure to a complex, fast-paced environment while supporting the delivery of one of the largest DC infrastructure programmes in Europe.

Your core duties will involve:

• Reviewing, challenging and approving deliverables produced by third-party Project Management and Commercial Management consultants
• Providing oversight of invoices, variation orders, claims, contract administration and commercial reporting activities
• Supporting the client's commercial governance processes and ensuring best practice commercial management throughout the project lifecycle
• Monitoring contractual compliance and providing commercial advice on risk, entitlement and change management matters
• Working closely with the client's leadership team
• Building strong working relationships with contractors, consultants and stakeholders
• Representing the client and Currie & Brown in a professional and diligent manner at all times
• Supporting the successful delivery of a major data centre and AI infrastructure programme from construction through to completion

What skills and attributes are we looking for from you?

• Business level French language skills are essential, with the ability to confidently participate in site-based discussions and contractor meetings
• 10+ years' experience in commercial management, quantity surveying or a related commercial discipline
• minimum of 2 years experience working on large scale projects in France
• Strong understanding of contract administration, variations, claims management and commercial controls
• Experience reviewing and managing the work of external consultants and contractors
• Data centre, large-scale infrastructure, industrial or major construction project experience is highly desirable
• Experience working under FIDIC-based forms of contract or similar international contracting arrangements
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge where required
• Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor and Associate Commercial Manager profiles will all be considered where relevant experience can be demonstrated

Additional information

• Initial contract duration: 12 months, with potential extension up to approximately 3 years. Fixed Term or Freelance contracts available.
• Hybrid working: The first 2-3 months are anticipated to be approximately 50% on-site and 50% off-site, transitioning to full-time site presence during peak construction.