Project Lead - Mission Critical and Data Centres

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Lead to join our Data Centre & Mission Critical (MCDC) team at Hoare Lea.

Data centres are central to the modern economy and the technology that powers them is evolving rapidly. Our Mission Critical team helps clients navigate these changing requirements. At Hoare Lea you’ll gain a truly unique experience working across the full spectrum of the data-centre sector.

You’ll work across complex live plant upgrades, grey and white space in facilities, technical delivery, due-diligence reviews of existing facilities, and multidisciplinary project coordination. Projects span mainly the UK, but also across Ireland and Europe.

You will join a collaborative, knowledgeable and highly engaged team with a positive, supportive and flexible culture. Working alongside the wider project team, you will engage directly with clients, lead project delivery, coordinate multidisciplinary inputs, and support the successful delivery of high-quality outcomes.

In this key and varied role, you will:

• Lead project delivery for data centre and mission-critical commissions.
• Act as a senior client-facing lead, building trusted relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs to deliver integrated building and campus solutions.
• Oversee programme, fee, resource and risk management across projects.
• Support the production and review of design deliverables, specifications, reports and technical outputs.
• Provide pragmatic input during early-stage site appraisals, masterplanning and test-fit studies.
• Oversee testing, commissioning and handover activities.
• Manage project progress, reporting and delivery to agreed timescales and quality standards.
• Mentor and support junior team members.
• Champion collaboration, communication and continuous improvement across the team.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Proven experience leading projects within the built environment, ideally within data centres, mission critical or complex technical projects.
• Strong client-facing consultancy experience.
• Excellent coordination, communication and project leadership skills.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and project delivery processes.
• Strong commercial awareness, including fee, programme and resource management.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to build strong working relationships.
• Experience mentoring and supporting others.
• Desired specialist experience:
• Mission critical and data centre project delivery across new-build, live operational upgrades, technical due diligence, feasibility studies and test fits.
• Large-scale, multi-megawatt data centre developments.
• Hyperscale, colocation and enterprise/research environments.
• Early-stage site appraisal, masterplanning and test-fit studies.
• Critical infrastructure, resilience and uptime-focused project thinking.
• Live operational environments and phased upgrades.
• Campus-scale developments and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Energy efficiency and sustainability in mission-critical projects.
• Experience working across the UK; international experience is desirable.

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.