Job Description

Head of Commissioning – Data Centres

Location: Australia – Sydney / Melbourne
Employment Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

A rapidly growing AI infrastructure and data centre business is looking to appoint a Head of Commissioning to lead its commissioning function across Australia.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced commissioning professional who can take ownership of the commissioning strategy, standards and delivery across a growing portfolio of large-scale, high-density data centre projects.

You will work closely with senior leadership, engineering, construction, project delivery and operations teams to establish and drive a best-in-class commissioning function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall commissioning strategy and function across a growing data centre portfolio.

• Establish commissioning standards, processes, procedures and governance across projects.

• Provide senior technical leadership across all stages of commissioning, from design through to final operational handover.

• Oversee commissioning programmes across multiple large-scale data centre projects.

• Lead and develop internal commissioning teams while managing external commissioning agents, contractors and specialist consultants.

• Provide oversight across electrical, mechanical, controls and integrated systems testing.

• Ensure projects progress through commissioning in line with programme, quality and operational requirements.

• Establish and oversee L1–L5 commissioning and Integrated Systems Testing (IST) strategies.

• Review and approve commissioning plans, procedures, test scripts and technical documentation.

• Work closely with design and construction teams to identify commissioning risks early in the project lifecycle.

• Drive resolution of technical issues, defects and commissioning challenges through to close-out.

• Develop commissioning capability, resources and processes to support future project growth.

• Support operational readiness and the transition from construction and commissioning into live operations.

• Act as the senior commissioning representative with clients, contractors, consultants, vendors and project stakeholders.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience leading commissioning activities within data centres or other mission-critical environments.

• Proven experience managing commissioning teams and multiple complex projects.

• Strong technical understanding of electrical, mechanical and critical infrastructure systems.

• Extensive experience across L1–L5 commissioning and Integrated Systems Testing.

• Experience developing commissioning strategies, standards and processes at a portfolio or organisational level.

• Strong understanding of data centre design, construction, commissioning and operational readiness.

• Experience managing commissioning consultants, contractors, vendors and internal stakeholders.

• Strong leadership and people management capability.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• The ability to operate at both a strategic and technical level.

Desirable Experience

Experience across the following would be highly beneficial:

• Hyperscale data centres

• AI infrastructure / high-density computing

• HV/LV electrical infrastructure

• UPS, generators and power distribution

• Mechanical cooling and liquid cooling

• BMS / EPMS / controls

• Integrated Systems Testing

• Critical environment operations

• Mission-critical infrastructure

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership position offering the opportunity to build and lead the commissioning function for a rapidly expanding AI and data centre platform in Australia.

The role would suit an experienced Head of Commissioning, Director of Commissioning, Senior Commissioning Director or highly experienced Commissioning Manager ready to take ownership of a growing portfolio and establish commissioning best practice across the organisation.