Construction Manager

Sector: Data Centres | Mission-Critical Infrastructure

Talent Advisory Partner: Novalith Advisory

The Opportunity

Novalith Advisory is supporting a client with the appointment of an experienced Construction Project Manager for a major data centre development in the Île-de-France region .

This is a site-focused project management position supporting delivery across the full construction lifecycle, from design and planning through construction, commissioning and final handover .

Working as part of an integrated project team, you will coordinate contractors, consultants, vendors and key stakeholders while supporting the successful delivery of the project across programme, quality, cost, health & safety and project governance .

This opportunity would suit a Construction Project Manager with proven experience on technically complex construction or engineering projects who is looking to further develop their career within the rapidly expanding data centre and mission-critical infrastructure sector .

Key Responsibilities

Project & Construction Management

• Support the management and delivery of construction activities from design through to commissioning and handover.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, vendors and project stakeholders.
• Monitor construction progress against programme, milestones and project requirements.
• Attend project and construction meetings, producing progress reports, meeting minutes and action trackers where required.
• Coordinate the mobilisation and onboarding of contractors, consultants and project resources.
• Manage and follow up project actions to ensure timely resolution and close-out.
• Identify potential delivery risks and escalations issues appropriately.

Site Management & Quality

• Maintain a strong presence on site, monitoring day-to-day construction delivery.
• Conduct site inspections, progress reviews and construction walkdowns.
• Verify that works are being delivered in accordance with approved drawings, specifications and project requirements.
• Identify construction issues and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
• Manage punch lists, snagging and issue registers through to close-out.
• Support site QA/QC processes , inspections and project document control.
• Work closely with contractors and technical teams to maintain required quality standards.

Data Centre & Technical Infrastructure

Working alongside Design Managers, Engineering Leads and specialist contractors, you will develop and maintain a strong understanding of critical data centre infrastructure, including:

• Electrical distribution systems
• UPS and backup power systems
• Generators
• Cooling and HVAC systems
• Fire detection and suppression systems
• Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Critical infrastructure interfaces
• MEP systems and associated construction packages

You will also support commissioning, testing, completion and handover activities as the project progresses towards operational readiness.

• Support project planners with construction programme updates and progress information.
• Track construction progress, variations and change works across the project.
• Monitor contractor and stakeholder actions against programme requirements.
• Provide accurate information for project reporting and governance.
• Support purchase orders, invoice validation and change-order processes where required.
• Liaise with Cost Management and Commercial teams regarding budgets, variations and project expenditure.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture across the project.
• Monitor contractor compliance with project and site HSE requirements.
• Identify, raise and report safety observations where required.
• Support risk assessments, incident reporting and corrective actions.
• Maintain appropriate documentation for regulatory, governance and audit requirements.
• Work collaboratively with HSE specialists, contractors and the wider project team.

About You

We are interested in speaking with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience within construction, engineering or project management .
• Experience delivering technically complex construction projects.
• Strong understanding of the construction lifecycle from design through to completion and handover.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
• Strong contractor, consultant and stakeholder management capability.
• Good understanding of construction programmes, quality management and HSE requirements.
• Strong organisational, reporting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within a multidisciplinary project environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Previous experience within data centres, mission-critical infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, industrial facilities, pharmaceutical, semiconductor or other technically complex construction environments would be highly advantageous.

Direct data centre experience is desirable but candidates with strong transferable experience from comparable technically complex projects will also be considered.

Location & Working Requirements

The position is based in Île-de-France, France , supporting a major live data centre development.

This is a site-focused position , and candidates must be comfortable maintaining a significant presence on the construction site, typically at least three days per week .

Language Requirements

Fluent French and English are required due to the international nature of the project and the need to work effectively with local contractors, consultants and project stakeholders.

About Novalith Advisory

Novalith Advisory works with organisations across the data centre, engineering and construction sectors to identify and engage specialist talent for complex infrastructure programmes across Europe.

For this opportunity, Novalith is acting as the Talent Advisory partner to our client , supporting the identification and engagement of experienced construction professionals for their expanding data centre programme.