Project Director

About the job

• Our client is a fast-growing European data centre developer delivering one of the largest digital infrastructure projects currently moving forward in the French market.
• With significant investment behind the platform, they are developing high-power, mission-critical infrastructure to support the growing demand for cloud, AI and advanced computing across Europe.
• As part of this growth, they are seeking an experienced Project Director to lead a major data centre development in Paris from early-stage development through permitting, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• This is a senior leadership role requiring someone who can drive momentum across a complex, power-led project, manage senior stakeholders, and bring structure, urgency and accountability across the full project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of a major data centre development from early-stage development through to handover.
• Lead project strategy across permitting, power, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and operational readiness.
• Drive key interfaces with local authorities, permitting bodies, utility providers, grid connection stakeholders and wider project partners.
• Support and lead critical discussions around power availability, grid connection, utility infrastructure and energy-related project constraints.
• Manage and coordinate internal teams, consultants, contractors, technical advisors and delivery partners.
• Ensure the project is delivered safely, on programme, within budget and to the required technical and quality standards.
• Challenge design, procurement and delivery strategies to ensure they are buildable, efficient, commercially robust and aligned with the wider programme.
• Identify project risks early and implement clear mitigation strategies to maintain progress.
• Provide senior-level reporting, project updates and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and investment stakeholders.
• Lead contractor and consultant performance, ensuring clear accountability across all project workstreams.
• Maintain focus through construction, commissioning, testing, handover and closeout.
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders and represent the project credibly in a complex French delivery environment.

Requirements

• Strong experience as a Project Director, Programme Director or senior delivery leader on major capital projects.
• Proven track record delivering high-value, technically complex or mission-critical projects from development through to handover.
• Experience across large-scale industrial, infrastructure, energy, power, utilities, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, data centre or similar complex project environments.
• Strong understanding of permitting, authority interfaces and stakeholder management on major developments.
• Credibility around power, grid connection, utilities or energy infrastructure.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Strong commercial, contractual and programme management capability.
• Experience managing senior internal and external stakeholders, including investors, authorities, contractors, consultants and technical partners.
• Ability to bring structure, urgency and clear decision-making to complex project environments.
• Fluent French and strong English language capability.
• Based in Paris or able to be based in Paris for the right opportunity.

Desirable

• Previous data centre or mission-critical project experience.
• Direct experience working with French utility, grid or power stakeholders.
• Strong relationships across the French power, permitting or infrastructure market.
• Experience delivering projects with significant electrical infrastructure requirements.
• Client-side, developer-side or owner’s representative experience.
• Experience working on projects linked to AI, cloud, energy transition, industrial infrastructure or high-power digital infrastructure.