Construction Manager: Data Centre - Nxtra

About Airtel Africa & Nxtra

Airtel Africa embodies passion, energy, and a proactive spirit, fostering innovation driven by entrepreneurship. We are committed to diversity and delivering solutions that benefit the communities we serve, striving to excel alongside our customers. Joining Airtel means becoming part of a winning team with opportunities to grow across our diverse African operations.

Nxtra by Airtel is pioneering a Data Centre Division dedicated to constructing advanced, secure, and efficient Data Centres across African countries. The Construction Manager will play a vital role in leading and managing the complete physical build of the Nxtra Nigeria Data Centre, from inception through to handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Take charge of daily construction operations, providing robust leadership on-site covering Civil, Structural, Architectural (CSA), Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEPF) systems and specialist works.
• Design and implement a comprehensive construction strategy and sequencing plan to ensure smooth execution.
• Oversee coordination among various contractors and consultants, ensuring clear ownership and management of construction interfaces.
• Identify potential construction, design, and interface risks early and enforce prompt resolution.
• Consolidate multidisciplinary coordination encompassing Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, ELV, and specialist systems.
• Manage critical intersections between CSA and MEPF elements like equipment foundations, penetrations, embeds, service coordination, access, and sequencing of installation.
• Review shop and construction drawings and methodologies with a focus on constructability and execution efficiency.
• Resolve complex technical disputes among contractors and consultants.
• Maintain oversight over the integrated construction schedule, focusing on critical milestones and path.
• Lead short-term planning, resource allocation, and productivity enhancement efforts.
• Detect delays or bottlenecks early and implement recovery plans.
• Synchronize construction activities with equipment delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning timelines.
• Uphold exemplary standards for construction quality and workmanship, managing QA/QC processes, inspections, NCRs, and rework activities.
• Ensure adherence to approved designs, specifications, standards, and project prerequisites.
• Promote and enforce a steadfast safety culture, guaranteeing compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) guidelines.
• Plan construction activities with commissioning and operational readiness as priorities.
• Coordinate final construction completion, pre-commissioning phases, and system preparedness.
• Drive timely punch-list completion along with the preparation of as-built drawings, test reports, and handover documentation.
• Support integrated testing efforts and overall facility readiness for handover.
• Act as the primary construction liaison between the Client, Project Management Consultant (PMC), design consultants, contractors, specialist vendors, and commissioning teams.
• Manage contractor performance, methodologies, resource deployment, and site productivity rigorously.
• Provide clear and consistent updates on project progress, risks, challenges, and mitigation strategies.
• Assist with technical evaluation of variation claims and any proposed changes to design or construction.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Professional project management certification is advantageous.
• More than 18 years of proven construction experience, particularly handling large-scale, complex multidisciplinary projects.
• In-depth practical knowledge spanning CSA and MEPF construction disciplines.
• Successful track record managing multiple contractors and consultants along with complex project interfaces.
• Strong expertise in construction planning, sequencing, quality assurance/quality control, HSE compliance, and commissioning processes.
• Proven ability to independently analyze and solve complex site and engineering challenges.
• Experience in Data Centres or Mission Critical environments is highly preferred, especially with hyperscale or Tier III/Tier IV facilities.

Additional Information

Airtel Africa embraces equal opportunity and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.