Construction Manager

Job Title: Construction Manager
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Sector: Construction - Mission Critical

The Construction Manager is responsible for managing construction works, financials, scheduling, and quality management on projects across EMEA. The role ensures all projects comply with company standards, service-provider requirements, and local/national laws.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall construction project management of site teams and contractors.
• Lead, implement, and review on-site safety management to ensure compliance with all mandatory and industry standards, managing safety throughout construction, design, and handover.
• Advise and lead on contract negotiations for design, programme, and costs while ensuring the highest quality of service.
• Evaluate construction methods for cost-effectiveness and suitability.
• Identify, track, pursue, and close out business and project risks.
• Drive innovation to improve design, de-risk programme, manage budgets, and deliver project quality.
• Lead and coordinate external consultants for design, construction, and delivery of data centres.
• Plan, organise, and direct construction and maintenance activities to ensure execution of the construction programme.
• Prepare contracts and negotiate revisions with architects, consultants, suppliers, and subcontractors.
• Lead delivery of sub-structure, super-structure, and M&E design processes, working with consultants to achieve cost-effective, resilient infrastructure.
• Conduct regular project review meetings with consultants and contractors and report regularly to senior project teams.
• Assist in the development of project management systems and procedures to ensure efficient interface between consultants and internal teams.
• Advise on monitoring of programme, cost control, and project information systems for successful delivery.
• Prepare fortnightly and monthly reports with accurate project and financial data for senior management.
• Ensure compliance with local permitting and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate project plans and information clearly to all relevant staff.
• Resolve issues and deficiencies promptly, implementing contingency plans to recover cost and schedule when necessary.
• Develop and implement robust handover processes from construction to operations.
• Ensure proper and complete handover of completed works to operations teams.
• Foster a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Apply modern project management and quality assurance techniques.
• Collaborate closely with project management teams, site operations managers, facility managers, and rollout teams.
• Support local management and sales teams with customer discussions and queries.
• Liaise with consultants and power authorities to ensure correct design and implementation of power supply.
• Focus on contractor management, performance, and stakeholder relationship management.
• Ensure adherence to policies and procedures.

Key Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to apply concepts practically, think logically, and suggest improvements.
• Quality Focus: Attention to detail, commitment to industry-leading safety standards, and pride in delivering projects to the highest standards.
• Initiative: Identifies and recommends realistic improvements, value-driven mindset.
• Flexibility: Adaptable to changing needs, willing to travel across EMEA at short notice.
• Business Focus: Awareness of wider business context, keeping up to date with industry developments.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with consultants, contractors, and internal teams.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Engineering degree (B.Eng or BSc.Eng) or Construction Management degree.
• Substantial experience in the data centre, construction, or engineering industry.
• Senior-level project management experience delivering large CAPEX projects with high M&E dependency.
• Proficiency in MS Project and MS Office programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of general construction, M&E works, and local authority approvals.
• Understanding of Health and Safety legislation, including CDM regulations.
• Strong time management and the ability to work under pressure.
• Proficiency in PM tools, techniques, and methods.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken), with additional EMEA languages beneficial.

Desirable:

• Relevant project management experience in mission-critical environments.
• Experience working within EMEA data centre environments.
• 5+ years of contracting experience within live DC environments.
• Design experience within M&E and structural systems.
• Commercial awareness of CAPEX estimation and planning processes specific to data centres.
• Knowledge of testing, commissioning, and IST processes.
• Familiarity with internet and telecom technologies.