Senior Project Manager – Data Centres in Germany

at  Laminar

Are you a Senior Project Manager who is a bit tired of the standard old-fashioned way of doing things in the construction industry?
Do you get deep satisfaction from making things run more efficiently using a good dose of common sense and maybe a bit of technology?
Do you crave the freedom, power, and support to bring fresh ideas to how work is delivered, so client expectations are not just met, but smashed?
Have you ever wanted to work a bit more flexibly but still be hands-on in construction and improving the industry?
Sounds like a dream. Well, it isn’t, it is quite real!
Read on!

YOUR CAPABILITIES

You will be a seasoned Senior Project Manager, with extensive experience working directly with clients, ideally with some stints working for Tier 1 or 2 Contractors as well, to provide the well-rounded experience that is hugely valuable as a consultant.

Must-Have (The fundamentals)

• Mastery: Project background with at least 8+ years of experience on construction projects, including hands-on claims involvement from start to finish
• Communication: Proficient communicator in written and verbal English
• Leadership: A relentless approach to dealing with people
• Impact: A track record of making projects and organisations better beyond just doing the basics

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Contractor pre-qualification, bid solicitation, bid analysis and recommendations
• Support Contract negotiation, typically in concert with the Client’s PM and legal counsel, including establishment of all GC “business terms” including mark-ups, fees, insurance, labor rates, escalation, etc
• Coordinate Design Team activities supporting Client PM
• Ensure AE is completing the complete list of City and/or other Authority approvals process, permitting, etc
• Coordinate Constructability review of project documents
• Provide / Gather cost estimates working with subs and other vendors for scope gaps/changes
• Produce Cash flow projections on a monthly basis
• Assist client in identifying, scoping, buying-out and scheduling of all Owner-direct vendors and manage day to day the delivery of project within agreed budget requirements
• Ensuring a customer focus within all areas of operational activities, and that effective relationships are maintained with key client contacts
• Manage General Contractor and others day to day directly contracted vendors on the ground
• Support Cost Management / Change Control, including change order review, negotiation, & recommendations, delay analysis
• Coordinate Value Engineering
• Support Budget Management and Tracking
• Schedule monitoring, tracking and analysis
• Support Document control (track and coordinate addenda, bulletins, new drawing sets, clarifications, etc)
• Ensure QA/QC is being followed and report any issues/gaps

WHO IS THIS ROLE FOR?

This role is specifically for project management professionals, who are experienced working in Data Centres, preferably on the developer/end customer side, although we will also consider GC experience.
Only tick one of these boxes? Apply anyway as no one meets every requirement.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• Supercharge client service: Deliver cutting-edge project and cost management services in the construction industry, powered by the latest digital tools and technologies.
• Cradle-to-grave expertise: Oversee all project aspect of projects, typically through Stages 2-6, following the appropriate stage gate process in your region.
• Creation of detailed project execution plans, appropriate to the stage gate/design maturity.
• Champion collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with commercial managers to ensure timely, on-budget, and high-quality project delivery.
• Innovate fearlessly: Bring fresh ideas to the table, design new processes, and exceed industry expectations with progressive thinking.
• Embrace digital transformation: Lead the integration of project management elements through Laminar’s project controls-centric delivery, streamlining workflow and maximizing control.
• Think outside spreadsheets: You don’t have to be a data fanatic, but a desire for a digitally enhanced approach is essential.

Data Centre Focus (Desirable):

• While not essential, prior experience in data center projects as a client or general contractor representative/consultant would be valued.
• Understanding local regulations of contractual practices (desirable).
• Proven ability to develop comprehensive project strategies for data center projects, encompassing scheduling, risk management, and cost control, from initiation to close-out and handover.
• Demonstrated success in leading negotiations with clients, contractors, and stakeholders to secure optimal terms and favourable outcomes in data center environments.

Regional focus (Germany):

• Native speaking is desirable.
• Understanding local regulations of contractual practices (desirable).

YOUR TOP 5 RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the project: Own the project through all stage gates, providing consistency and clarity throughout, concurrently controlling change and risk management.
• Own the outcome: Produce execution plans (PEP), manage the project, identify and control the stakeholders engagement and own collaboration with all parties, internal and external – Laminar stands apart through the collective and integrated delivery of all disciplines, which must be maintained and nurtured.
• Report and inform: Provide simple actionable reports to stakeholders at all levels that help them deliver their part of the project more efficiently and effectively (Laminar’s existing infrastructure will support this).
• Make scalable solutions: Develop scalable and repeatable best practices and tools in collaboration with the team so that long-term impact is achieved.
• Develop everyone: Maximise the development of your team personally and professionally and educate our clients to improve as well.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHAT THE ROLE IS LIKE?

The nature of joining a Consultancy is you will be exposed to a wide variety of work and sectors, requiring versatility and a can-do attitude supported by a range of professional experience in your career to date. However, this job ad is leaning into Laminar’s transition towards client-side projects, as we have established a foothold providing planning and project management services for clients, and foresee rapid growth for project coming, specifically within the Data Centre sector, in 2024.
We have developed a Claim Strength Calculator which has been the gateway to providing an increasing amount of specialist claims support, and this is just the beginning.

The role will include but not be limited to:

• Business Development – bid writing, sales presentations, networking/professional events, campaign ideation/implementation alongside our growth team.
• Business Maturity – contributing to OKR setting and working towards these, helping develop business infrastructure (processes, procedures, templates, tools) to support Laminar in our quest to digitalise the construction industry, surpass client expectations, and do so in aligned collaboration with the wider business.
• Live Project and Cost Management – delivering the fundamental day job with half an eye on how your actions support the wider business towards the short to medium term goal of offering full project delivery.
• Specialist Claims support – building upon the foundation created by the innovative Claims Strength Calculator, to make Laminar one of the leading players in dispute management/avoidance.

This role is part of our Project Management Consultancy which focuses on:

• Understanding what the real problems of projects are
• Implementing the best solutions to those problems
• Developing scalable best practices, tools and technolog