JOB DESCRIPTION
The Testing & Commissioning Director is responsible for leading the development of project testing & commissioning and handover strategies for the planning and development of a large-scale, state-of-the-art data centre campus, with accountability to ensure that testing & commissioning complies with all regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company policies.
The role ensures that all aspects of testing & commissioning meet the testing & commissioning standards, consider the latest testing & commissioning innovations and are coordinated/optimised across all projects within the programme. In addition, to ensure that all projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and HSE standards.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy Developmentand Implementation
- Develop and lead the implementation of testing & commissioning and handover plans/strategies that support the programme delivery requirements.
- Collaborate with programme management, engineering & development, and project teams to ensure construction timelines and methods support future scalability and modular expansion.
- Create long-term design strategies that align with customer requirements and expectations
- Champion a proactive collaboration and co-operation culture across the programme through leadership engagement, workforce empowerment, and behavioural initiatives.
Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures
- The development and implementation of programme-wide policies, systems, processes, procedures, and controls for testing & commissioning and handover.
- The standardisation of document workflows across the programme.
Testing & Commissioning
- Prepare testing & commissioning and hand over elements of the Employer's Requirements (ERs) for contractors as part of their contract agreements.
- Participate in and respond to all questionnaires related testing & commissioning and hand over as raised by customers during the RFQ/Bid stage.
- Provide guidance to the design team to ensure project design captures all necessary testing & commissioning requirements.
- Participate in consultants and contractors daily, weekly, and monthly project meetings.
- Conduct regular inspections of on-site work to ensure adherence to good practices, international standards, and design specifications.
- Define customer requirements to define project technical requirements and objectives related to testing & commissioning and handover
- Lead the development of project-related testing & commissioning documentation, including Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and Integrated System Testing (IST) scripts in line with company standards and best practices, ensuring consistency and excellence across the programme.
- Oversee the review and approval of testing & commissioning method statements and risk assessments
- Oversee and collaborate with contractors, suppliers, vendors, and internal team members to ensure effective execution of all testing and commissioning tasks to ensure
- Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues or faults encountered during the testing and commissioning phases.
- Resolve on-site conflicts related to testing & commissioning between contractors and technical advisors from a design perspective, proposing the best solutions for the benefit of the company.
- Act as the main point of contact with customers, leading testing & commissioning discussions and clarifications.
- Drive HSE leadership among project teams, ensuring integration of HSE in the planning, testing & commissioning, and handover phases.
Progress Reporting
- Develop and implement progress measurement systems that cover all testing & commissioning and handover dashboards, weekly and monthly reports
- Define and monitor key performance indicators and provide regular reporting to programme leadership.
- Preparation of periodical management reports and progress reports to keep the senior management informed about the progress of various initiatives and to facilitate decision-making across the programme
- Validate contractor and CxA progress submissions and challenge discrepancies where required.
- Maintain an audit trail of planning data, revisions, baseline changes, and approved variations.
Close Out & Handover
- Oversee the preparation and submission of commissioning reports, test certificates, and system acceptance documentation in accordance.
- Ensure the data centre systems are fully documented for operational handover.
- Oversee the Defects Notification Period (DNP) close-out with the consultants and contractors
- Coordinate the handover of the delivery team to the operations team and customers
Innovation & Sustainability
- Champion the integration of advanced construction technologies, including digital twins and BIM models, to enhance planning, reduce commissioning risks, and support faster project timelines.
- Implement advanced commissioning software platforms to manage workflows, test scripts, documentation, and reporting.
- Utilize automation, remote monitoring, and diagnostic tools to increase accuracy and reduce human error during T&C execution.
Risk and Quality Management
- Identify, assess, and manage testing & commissioning and handover risks through robust risk registers; implement mitigation strategies to prevent delays, safety hazards, or time and cost overruns.
- Ensure that all testing & commissioning and handover activities comply with all relevant safety regulations, codes, and environmental standards.
- Conduct regular site inspections and audits to evaluate delivery performance
Stakeholder Management
- Develop strategic relationships with Customer testing & commissioning and handover teams to ensure successful delivery outcomes and maintain positive relationships.
- Maintain positive working relationships with government departments, utilities, and programme and project stakeholders, to ensure mutual support and compliance with delivery requirements.
- Regularly liaise and engage with the programme and project teams to offer support and ensure that project delivery and performance are aligned with the required standards and practices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications:
- Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Relevant professional qualification or chartered status
Minimum Experience:
- 15+ years of relevant professional experience (including a previous director role), including the testing & commissioning of data centers or other complex engineering projects across the entire project life cycle.
Job-Specific Skills (Generic / Technical):
- Primavera BIM 360, AutoCAD, Revit, Procore, commissioning management platforms
- Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and regulations
- Strategic leadership and decision-making under pressure
- Cross-functional stakeholder engagement and influence
- Financial and commercial acumen with TCO awareness
- Crisis management, reporting, and governance participation
