Senior Project Manager – Data Centers (f/m/d)

Job title: Senior Project Manager - Data Centers (f/m/d)

Reference number: 38264

Locations: Darmstadt (This position can be based in any Arcadis office location in Germany, while the onsite projects will primarily be located in the Frankfurt and Rhine-Main area).

Working hours: Full-time

Role description

For our Project Management Team Technology in the Places Business Unit, we are looking for a dedicated Senior Project Manager (f/m/d) to support data center construction projects. The position is located within our global Places business unit. Together with our customers around the world, we create, promote, and optimize intelligent, safe, and sustainable places where people live, work, learn, and succeed. Places influence people's quality of life – whether it’s housing, shops, workplaces, schools, hospitals, businesses, research and development facilities, or data and distribution centres. People and communities thrive when their living, working, recreational, and play spaces are designed and operated to best meet their needs.

Role accountabilities

• Lead the full project lifecycle for data centre projects, taking overall responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk and client satisfaction.
• Act as the primary client interface and executive escalation contact for project delivery matters.
• Define project governance, commercial strategy and reporting structures; oversee procurement, contracts and subcontractor management.
• Integrate and coordinate multidisciplinary teams (electrical, mechanical, structural, architectural, fire safety, MEP/TGA) to ensure coherent delivery of design and execution.
• Oversee design management: review and validate key design deliverables, ensure compliance with German and international codes and client requirements.
• Drive construction execution and site management, monitor progress, conduct regular site reviews and ensure health & safety compliance.
• Manage commissioning, testing (FAT/SAT), system handover and closeout to secure operational readiness and contractual acceptance.
• Monitor financial performance: cost control, change management, claims mitigation and forecasting.
• Identify and implement value engineering, sustainability and energy‑efficiency measures.
• Prepare and deliver regular executive reports and presentations to clients and stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop project teams; foster a collaborative, solution‑oriented project culture.

Qualifications & Experience

First and foremost, you share our passion for improving quality of life and for customer satisfaction. You take pride in the role you play in reshaping the world around you and understand the importance of teamwork. You are technically skilled, have relevant experience in managing building and infrastructure projects, and bring with you:

• Degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or equivalent) in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil), Architecture, Construction Management or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years’ proven experience in senior project management roles for construction or engineering projects.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering projects on time, on budget and to quality standards.
• Strong commercial, contractual and procurement knowledge (tendering, contract types, claims management). Familiarity with VOB/DIN/HOAI and international standards is an advantage.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Proficient with project controls and planning tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera), cost management and MS Excel; familiar with BIM processes.
• Strong technical understanding of data centre systems (HVAC, electrical, fire safety) and ability to review design outputs.
• Fluent English and German, both written and spoken.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Desirable

• Significant experience with data centre or large‑scale infrastructure projects preferred.
• Professional certifications (PMP, Prince2, RICS, CIOB) or equivalent commercial qualifications.
• Experience with international clients and multidisciplinary delivery teams.

Equal opportunities, diversity, inclusion and belonging

We are an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non‑discrimination in employment on any basis including race, caste, creed, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity. We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why equality and inclusion is at the forefront of all our activities. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people.