Project Director Data Centres & Critical Systems

Location/s: Madrid, ES
Recruiter contact: David McFall

Closing Date: 28/04/25

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the division
The role will be within our Advisory and Programme Delivery business unit. Within this unit we deliver extensive services to projects ranging in scale and complexity from £million’s to £20bn, through the disciplines of programme management, project management, project controls, scheduling, cost management, estimating, infrastructure finance, management consulting and digital consulting.

Overview of the role

Are you interested in joining the Mott MacDonald Advisory Programme Delivery team in a senior leadership role focussed on the data centre market and associated built environment infrastructure? Would you relish the challenge of using your experience and track record in this market to lead the growth and performance of our rapidly expanding data centre advisory business and oversee the delivery of projects, programmes and frameworks in this sector?

At Mott MacDonald, we are dedicated to tackling our clients’ toughest portfolio, programme, and project challenges to achieve successful outcomes. We are a family of people excited to solve complex challenges that have a positive impact on the world, and we are always looking for like-minded people to join our team.

Owing to the expansion of our Advisory & Programme Delivery business we have an exciting opportunity for a Data Centre Market Projects Director / Lead to join our fast-growing team in the UK. This is a senior level appointment and a unique opportunity to be involved in an exciting growth journey with personal ownership and the ability to provide strategic direction and oversight of our data centre advisory offering across the UK and EMEA region.

As Data Centre Market Projects Director / Lead you will be part of our senior leadership team and will report directly to the Head of Buildings for our Advisory Programme Delivery business. We are looking for someone who will:

• Manage existing and develop new client relationships and partnerships at executive and leadership level
• Drive new business and increase our footprint in this market across a wide range of advisory services
• Develop and build on our existing team resources in this sector to support rapid and sustainable growth
• Lead and develop integrated multi-disciplinary teams to address and deliver key opportunities
• Take accountability and ownership of the successful and safe delivery of major data centre projects, programmes and professional services frameworks
• Exhibit strong collaboration skills with the ability to build trusted relationships both within the wider Mott MacDonald business and externally with partners
• Consolidate and enhance our account leadership for key customers in this sector to support strengthening of relationships and expansion of our service delivery
• Work with the business to set operational revenue targets and establish future resource demands to inform development and recruitment activities
• Set clear direction and goals for delivery teams. Provide space and latitude for teams to achieve their objectives
• Establish and chair project governance reviews
• Mentor and coach individuals and teams
• Identify, monitor and manage sector risks and opportunities

Candidate Specification
To be successful in this role you will need:

• An established network of customer, consultancy, contractor and partner relationships in this market
• A proven track record in the data centre sector, preferably with a consultancy / advisory background in either project, programme or commercial delivery
• Visible senior leadership and positive behaviours including self-motivation, flexibility, effective listening, creativity, collaborative style and ability to positively influence
• Demonstrable knowledge of data centre market specific technologies, challenges and opportunities
• Be a self-starter with ability to operate both autonomously and as part of a larger team
• Ambition to lead and expand a significant growth sector – to make Mott MacDonald a market leader in this field
• Flexibility to travel and work with a wide range of clients
• Excellent oral and written communication and organisation skills
• Computer literacy in Microsoft applications

.

Desired Qualifications and Accreditations:

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent in Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering or a related field
• Membership of relevant professional body
• Full UK Driving Licence

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working 

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Competitive annual leave
• Pension scheme 
• Life insurance
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Private medical insurance 
• Optional benefits via salary sacrifice (restaurant voucher/transport card/day care voucher)
• Continuous development opportunities – because we want you to thrive  
• Agile/flexible working – because life isn’t 9-5  
• Annual bonus scheme  
• Wellbeing support including access to an independent Employer Assistance Scheme, wellbeing champions and access to learning and support resources 
• Access to our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities 
• The opportunity to make a difference; learn more about our social outcomes

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.