Senior Project Manager - Data Centres

Here is what you will be doing:

We are seeking a talented and experienced individual to join our Data Centre PM/DM team, focusing on both international and local data centre projects. The role is based in South Africa, where our technical teams are located. You will have the opportunity to work with global teams on high‑profile, fast‑paced data centre projects for major international clients.

To be considered for this role, candidates MUST have proven experience in data centre design, as well as broader building design experience. Experience limited to general project management without data‑centre‑specific and building‑design exposure will not meet the minimum requirements.

As a Project and Design Manager, you will oversee hyperscale data centre projects end‑to‑end: site due diligence, master planning, conceptual design, schematic design, detailed design, construction documentation, and construction administration. This role requires hands‑on leadership of data centre and building design teams, not only PM oversight.

You will be client‑facing, responsible for leading and coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams. A background in architecture or engineering is essential, along with strong written and verbal communication skills.

You will also build and maintain strong relationships with clients, while helping grow our multidisciplinary data centre team and service offerings.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage data centre core and shell due diligence and design projects (architecture, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, security, and fire protection) from concept through construction, ensuring adherence to budgets, schedules, design requirements, and quality.
• Develop trusted relationships with client stakeholders and technical decision‑makers.
• Engage confidently and proactively with clients, contractors, and supply‑chain partners.
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination of civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design packages on data centre and building design projects.
• Perform and oversee peer reviews and quality checks in line with AECOM standards.
• Own the project basis of design and manage localization requirements for international data centre standards.
• Detect, track, and resolve scope changes, inconsistencies, and design issues throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate and participate in meetings with clients and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver integrated and technically robust solutions.
• Lead AECOM’s data centre design team, promoting collaboration, shared ownership, and high performance.
• Proactively manage and communicate design and project changes to all parties.
• Identify technical or coordination challenges early and develop effective, creative solutions.
• Manage contract administration and design deliverables.
• Provide clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders regarding progress, risks, and issues.
• Support resource planning: identify, onboard, and offboard design contributors as needed.
• Prepare and deliver client presentations and participate in design interviews.
• Contribute to bids and proposals, including technical scoping, planning, and resource estimation.
• Travel as required to support project, client, and team needs.

Here is what we are looking for:

• Minimum experience requirement:
  Candidates must have data centre design experience AND building design experience to qualify.
• Honours degree in a built‑environment field with a minimum of four (4) years of relevant post‑graduate experience.
• B‑Tech degree in a built‑environment field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant post‑graduate experience.
• National Higher Diploma in a built‑environment field with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant post‑graduate experience.
• National Diploma in a built‑environment field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant post‑graduate experience.
• Tertiary qualification in a project‑management‑related discipline (e.g., quantity surveying, engineering, architecture, planning, contracting) with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant post‑graduate experience.
• Master of Science / Engineering is…