Senior Project Manager - Data Centres

Senior Project Manager - Data Centres

Frankfurt, Germany

Shape a future with purpose at Arup in Germany.

Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. We are a global consultancy with extensive technical and advisory expertise. As the demand for resilient, efficient, and sustainable digital infrastructure accelerates, our Data Centre practice is one of Arup's fastest-growing global sectors and Germany is a European market at the heart of that growth.

The Opportunity

This role sits within Arup's Science, Industry & Technology (SIT) portfolio, reporting directly to the Regional and Geography Leaders. You will work closely with Business Leaders, connecting the German business to Arup's wider European and global data centre network and ensuring that growth is underpinned by technical excellence, delivery discipline, and a clear commercial strategy.

We are looking for someone who brings strong business development and project management capability, with enough technical experience to engage credibly with clients, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and position Arup as the trusted advisor of choice for high-quality, sustainable, and resilient data centre solutions in Germany and beyond.

This is a market-facing and management-focused role. You will contribute to the business strategy, shape commercially robust proposals, manage key client relationships, and lead multidisciplinary project teams in delivering excellent outcomes. You will be expected to understand client investment drivers, anticipate market needs, and translate Arup's technical capability into compelling value propositions, working alongside subject matter experts, discipline leaders, and project managers across Germany, Europe, and globally.

As a Senior Project Manager in the Data Centres Business in Arup, you will:

• Grow the business, support the ongoing development and implementation of a focused data centre business plan for Germany, identifying priority clients, sectors, partners, and opportunities for sustained, commercially robust growth aligned with Arup's purpose and values.

• Lead business development, build and manage senior client relationships, originate opportunities, shape pursuits, and lead commercially compelling proposals that position Arup as a trusted advisor for high-quality, sustainable, and resilient data centre solutions.

• Lead and deliver complex multi-disciplinary data centre projects across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and planning through design, construction and handover, ensuring programme, budget, risk and resource control whilst proactively identifying and managing risks and opportunities to support successful project outcomes.

• Act as the client-facing project lead, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing design, permitting and stakeholder interfaces, and driving successful, safe and sustainable project outcomes.

• Provide technically credible guidance, bring sufficient data centre experience to engage clients credibly on design solutions, resilience, energy efficiency, PUE, WUE commissioning, sustainability, and delivery risk, drawing on Arup's specialist expertise across disciplines.

• Collaborate across Arup, connect with Arup's EIMEA and global data centre network, sharing market intelligence, best practice, technical knowledge, and client insights to strengthen Arup's position across the region.

Does this role inspire you?

We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded professional who can combine business development and management with the technical depth to engage credibly with clients and manage multidisciplinary design teams. We also value someone who supports the growth of colleagues and brings data centre business maturity to steer both delivery and commercial performance during a period of sustained growth. If you don't meet every single point but believe you'd thrive in this role, we'd still love to hear from you.

• Academic background: Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline or equivalent professional qualification and experience; a technical background in the built environment is strongly preferred.

• Data centre sector experience: 9+ years substantial experience in the data centre sector, delivering multi-disciplinary design projects and ideally also experience in advisory, delivery, due diligence, or client-side development; a demonstrable track record of success in the German or broader European market.

• Business development expertise: Proven track record in business development, client relationship management, account planning, opportunity creation, and winning work; experience shaping and leading commercially compelling pursuits for complex, high-value commissions.

• Commercial and technical acumen: Strong understanding of market dynamics, commercial risk, fee strategy, project profitability, and long-term client value; enough technical data centre knowledge to engage clients credibly on data centre design resilience, energy efficiency, sustainability, commissioning, delivery strategy, and technical risk.

• People and team development: Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, co-ordinating technical specialists, and supporting the professional development of junior and emerging colleagues in a complex commercial environment.

• Communication and language: Professional proficiency in German and English (written and spoken) is essential; excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, with willingness to travel within Germany and across Europe to engage with clients and colleagues.

Why Arup?

At Arup, we believe in rewarding our members for their contributions to our shared success. As a trust-owned company, we have the freedom to pursue meaningful work that aligns with our purpose and values. We also offer a unique profit share program, allowing our members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits that work for you:

• Professional Growth & Development: Benefit from continuous learning opportunities, training programs, and mentorship to enhance your skills and advance your career at Arup.

• Global Opportunities: Collaborate with colleagues worldwide and explore potential short-term or long-term assignments at other Arup offices and project locations.

• Financial Well-being & Ownership: Receive a very competitive salary and benefits package and share in Arup's success through our global profit-sharing programme.

• Flexible Working: We offer a hybrid working model, empowering you to find a balance that works for you, your team, and our clients, fostering a healthier work-life integration.

• Well-being and Culture: We prioritise the well-being of our members, providing comprehensive support through Employee Assistance Programmes and fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture where you can thrive.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective where individuality is encouraged. Our strength comes from how we respect, share, and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas. You'll have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, and to the clients and communities we serve.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of the world around us. We actively promote a culture of inclusion where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.

The onboarding strategy will follow Arup’s established process, with clear deliverables as outlined above guiding the onboarding process.