Associate Planning Director - Data Centres

I have a requirement for an experienced Associate Planning Director to join one of the UK’s leading Tier One contractors within their rapidly expanding Data Centre division.

With over 1bn of secured work already in the pipeline, this is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of some of the country’s most technically complex and high-profile data centre developments while helping shape the future of a business that is only just beginning its growth journey.

As Associate Planning Director, you will provide strategic leadership across multiple live and pre-construction projects, overseeing planning teams and ensuring programmes are developed, maintained and delivered to the highest standard. Working closely with operational, commercial and design teams, you will drive programme certainty, identify and mitigate risks, challenge delivery strategies, and provide clear reporting to senior stakeholders. You will also play a key role in developing planning standards, mentoring planners within the business and influencing the future direction of the division as it continues to secure major projects.

This opportunity is suited to an experienced senior planning professional with a proven track record of delivering large-scale Data Centre projects, ideally for a Tier One main contractor. You will have extensive experience managing complex programmes throughout the full project lifecycle, from pre-construction through to commissioning and handover. Strong knowledge of Primavera P6 is essential, along with a thorough understanding of construction sequencing, critical path analysis, change management and programme governance under NEC and/or JCT contracts.

Beyond the project itself, the real attraction is the long-term opportunity. The division is still in its infancy, giving the successful candidate genuine scope to influence how it develops, progress into more senior leadership positions, and build a team around them as the workload continues to grow. Rather than joining an established structure with limited room to progress, you’ll become part of a business investing heavily in its people and positioning itself as a major player in one of the fastest-growing sectors in construction.

This is a site-based leadership role, requiring regular attendance on project, and offers an excellent salary, comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a long-term career delivering landmark Data Centre schemes that will define the UK’s digital infrastructure.