Vice President, Project Management Office (PMO)

Vice President, Project Management Office (PMO) 

Submer – Design, Build & Operate (DBO) 
Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid, with international travel) 

Role Overview 

Submer is seeking a Vice President, PMO to establish and lead a world-class Project Management Office for its Design, Build & Operate (DBO) business. This role is critical to enabling the successful delivery of complex, high-value data center infrastructure projects across global markets. 

The VP PMO will be responsible for building the governance, structure, and execution discipline required to scale a fast-growing, project-based business. This includes oversight of end-to-end project delivery, portfolio management, and operational performance across design, engineering, construction, and commissioning phases. 

This is a high-impact leadership role working closely with the CEO of DBO, executive leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards, while supporting Submer’s broader strategy in AI infrastructure. 

 What you’ll do 

Key Responsibilities

1. PMO Strategy & Build-Out

• Establish and scale the global PMO function for the DBO business
• Define PMO vision, operating model, governance frameworks, and delivery methodologies
• Implement standardized project management processes across regions
• Build scalable systems, tools, and reporting structures to support rapid growth

1. Portfolio & Program Management

• Lead oversight of the full DBO project portfolio (multi-site, multi-region data center builds)
• Ensure alignment of project execution with company strategy, financial targets, and client commitments
• Prioritize projects and allocate resources effectively across the portfolio
• Drive visibility and transparency through portfolio reporting and executive dashboards

1. Project Delivery Excellence

• Own delivery performance across all phases: development, design, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to scope
• Implement robust risk management, change control, and issue resolution processes
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery efficiency, cost control, and quality

1. Governance, Controls & Reporting

• Establish strong governance frameworks including stage gates, approvals, and escalation processes
• Partner with Finance to ensure rigorous cost management, forecasting, and margin control
• Develop KPI frameworks and reporting cadence for executive leadership and Board-level visibility
• Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and safety standards

1. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Engineering, Product, Construction, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial teams
• Act as a central coordination point across all delivery functions
• Drive alignment between technical execution and commercial outcomes

1. Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build and lead a high-performing global PMO team
• Define roles, career paths, and capability frameworks within project management
• Drive a culture of accountability, execution excellence, and operational discipline

1. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a senior point of contact for key clients during project delivery
• Ensure strong client communication, transparency, and satisfaction
• Support commercial teams in contract negotiation and project structuring

 

What you’ll need 

Experience & Qualifications 

• 12–15+ years of experience in project/program management within data center, infrastructure, construction, or engineering environments  

• Proven experience building or scaling a PMO in a high-growth or complex project environment  

• Strong track record delivering large-scale, capital-intensive projects (e.g., data centers, energy, industrial infrastructure)  

• Deep understanding of end-to-end project lifecycle (design through commissioning)  

• Experience managing multi-region project portfolios  

Leadership & Technical Skills 

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities in a global, matrix organization  

• Expertise in project governance, risk management, and financial controls  

• Ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels  

• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of project economics  

• Familiarity with modern PM tools, reporting systems, and data-driven decision-making  

Preferred Background 

• Experience in data center infrastructure, AI infrastructure, or high-performance computing environments  

• Exposure to modular construction and design-build delivery models  

• Experience working in scale-up or rapidly growing organizations  

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (MBA preferred)  

  

What Success Looks Like 

• A fully established, scalable PMO operating model within 6–12 months  

• Consistent on-time, on-budget delivery across the DBO portfolio  

• Clear executive visibility into project performance and risks  

• Strong alignment between project delivery and financial outcomes  

• A high-performing PMO team capable of supporting global expansion  

 

What we offer 

• Attractive compensation package reflecting your expertise and experience. 

• A great work environment characterized by friendliness, international diversity, flexibility, and a hybrid-friendly approach. 

• You´ll be part of a fast-growing scale-up with a mission to make a positive impact, offering an exciting career evolution. 

Our job titles may span more than one job level. The actual base pay is dependent on a number of factors, such as transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. 

Our inclusive responsibility 

Submer is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. 

 

Why Join Submer 

• Be part of a high-growth, mission-driven scale-up shaping the future of AI and sustainable data center infrastructure  

• Play a pivotal role in building and scaling a global Design, Build & Operate platform  

Work alongside an experienced leadership team in a fast-paced, high-impact environment