Project Manager - Data Center, Western Australia

Role purpose

Based in Perth, and reporting to State Leader Western Australia, the Project Manager – Data Center is responsible for the inception, development, and management of complex data center projects, including infrastructure upgrades, capacity expansions. The primary duties involve planning, coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the project lifecycle to ensure successful delivery, on-time and within budget.

 Key tasks include:

• Lead the development of data centre projects in Western Australia from initial concept and site identification through to construction readiness.

• Identify and secure suitable greenfield and brownfield sites and assess the suitability of existing energy and storage sites controlled by Neoen.

• Undertake multidisciplinary site assessments covering:

1. Environmental values and approval requirements

2. Land-use compatibility and planning constraints

3. Grid connection and electricity supply

4. Land availability and tenure

5. Water supply and cooling requirements

6. Topography, access and supporting infrastructure

7. Bushfire, flooding, heritage, noise and other development constraints

• Develop and manage environmental and planning approval strategies at local government, Western Australian Government and Commonwealth levels.

• Coordinate environmental investigations, technical studies, planning applications, referrals and permit submissions.

• Support project compliance with relevant Western Australian and Commonwealth environmental legislation, policies and approval conditions.

• Identify environmental approval risks early and develop practical mitigation strategies to support project schedules and investment decisions.

• Coordinate planners, environmental consultants, engineers, grid operators, legal advisers, landowners and government authorities.

• Manage specialist studies, which may include flora and vegetation, fauna, heritage, contamination, hydrology, noise, traffic, bushfire and greenhouse gas assessments.

• Participate in the preparation and evaluation of technical concepts, layouts and infrastructure requirements for data centre developments.

• Work closely with Neoen’s development, construction, engineering, grid connection, legal and commercial teams.

• Manage external advisers, consultants, budgets, scopes of work and deliverables.

• Support land negotiations, due diligence activities and the structuring of complex development projects.

• Maintain project schedules, risk registers, approval trackers and management reporting.

• Build constructive relationships with government agencies, local governments, Traditional Owners, landowners and surrounding communities.
  

Profile

The candidate will need the following skills/experiences to be successful in this role: 

- Bachelor’s or master’s degree, e.g., in:

• Industrial, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or equivalent 

• Geography / Regional Planning / Urban Planning

• Energy and Environmental Engineering / Environmental Science

• International Development

- At least 7 years of experience in the project development of large-scale infrastructure projects in Australia, e.g.:

• Data centers (ideally)

• Substations / grid connections

• Renewable energy (battery storage, wind, PV)

• Industrial and commercial real estate

- Experience in the data center sector is a plus, but not required - Strong understanding of:

• Site analysis and land evaluation

• Geographic and spatial planning contexts (e.g., regional planning, land use, infrastructure corridors)

- Basic technical understanding, ideally in:

• Building services engineering

• Energy supply / high voltage

• Industrial load connections / large power draw requirements

• Layout and space concepts for data centers

• Sustainability

- Structured and independent work style 

- Strong entrepreneurial mindset 

- Confidence in negotiations 

- Very good English language skills