Head of Services (Data Centres)

Hickory

At Hickory, we don’t believe in standing still, for over three decades we have continually invested in researching and developing systems and products to improve the way we build. Our philosophy is ‘MADE for LIFE’ – it’s a commitment we honour, each day. Everything we do and everything we build is ‘MADE for LIFE.’ Whether it’s refining our patented, prefabricated building products, developing more efficient and sustainable construction practices, or bringing expertise inhouse to supply critical components, we always believe there is a better way. As a result, Hickory have become one of the most diverse property companies in Australia. POSITION OVERVIEW The Head of Services for Data Centres plays a critical leadership role overseeing all technical services delivery across a major hyperscale data centre project, leading a team of 15+ services professionals. This role is responsible for driving service excellence from early design development through procurement of mission-critical infrastructure, coordination of complex services interfaces, and detailed planning to support high-velocity delivery programs. With end-to-end accountability, the Head of Services leads multidisciplinary teams and specialist subcontractors, resolves complex design challenges, and ensures the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance are achieved. The role also provides strategic oversight of commissioning activities through to final handover, ensuring seamless integration and operational readiness of all services systems essential to data centre uptime and client requirements.

WHAT HICKORY CAN OFFER

Work-Life Balance: We target a 5-day work week to support a balanced and sustainable schedule.
Family-Friendly Policies: Receive paid parental leave to support your family needs.
Novated Leases: Take advantage of novated leasing options to maximize your salary and enjoy tax savings on vehicle expenses.
H-Perks Employee Rewards: Access exclusive discounts, cashback and everyday savings through our internal benefits platform.
Employee Wellbeing: Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for valuable support and resources. Diverse Opportunities: Gain exposure to a wide range of roles and industry leaders in our leading market company.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic leadership of the full services lifecycle, overseeing early design development from pre-planning through to construction, ensuring alignment with project objectives, program, and operational requirements.
Lead design management activities, offering expert guidance on buildability, technical risk, and design optimisation during pre-construction, while influencing key decisions that enhance project outcomes.
Drive value engineering and performance-led specifications, ensuring commercial efficiency without compromising quality, safety, or operational resilience.
Oversee procurement strategy for all major services packages, including input into subcontract scopes, risk identification, and commercial negotiations to ensure best-for-project outcomes.
Establish and govern integrated services delivery programs across all disciplines, ensuring alignment with overall construction timelines and critical milestones.
Provide executive oversight of procurement and delivery of long-lead, mission-critical equipment, including supplier engagement, manufacturing progress, and installation sequencing.
Lead and manage multiple services trade packages at a portfolio level, ensuring consistency, performance, and alignment across all delivery teams.
Collaborate with Project and Construction leadership to provide ongoing strategic input into project status, risks, and performance, with a strong focus on services delivery.
Champion design coordination and multidisciplinary integration, ensuring complex services interfaces are effectively managed and clearly communicated across all project stakeholders.
Ensure proactive identification and escalation of risks, clashes, or issues that may impact cost, program, or quality, driving timely resolution.
Oversee commercial governance of services trades, including progress claims, reporting, and variation assessments, ensuring transparency and control.
Establish and enforce robust safety frameworks, including implementation of critical systems such as electrical safety and energisation protocols across HV and LV systems.
Lead the review and approval of services design documentation, including shop drawings, ensuring compliance with standards and project intent.
Chair and lead all key services forums and stakeholder meetings, providing clear direction, alignment, and accountability across teams.
Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational requirements, embedding a culture of safety, quality, and ethical delivery.
Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing services teams, fostering a collaborative environment across internal teams and subcontractors.
Drive quality assurance and delivery excellence by implementing and overseeing QA processes, documentation standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide strategic oversight of commissioning planning and execution, ensuring systems are tested, validated, and transitioned effectively to operations.
Ensure seamless handover to facilities management, with a strong focus on operational readiness, documentation completeness, and client satisfaction.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE

Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or related discipline)
Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) in services leadership and management across complex, large-scale MEP projects such as hyperscale data centres, hospitals, or similarly critical infrastructure environments.
Strong commercial acumen with proven oversight of cost planning, value engineering initiatives, contract management, and variation governance across multiple workstreams.
Deep technical expertise in mechanical and/or electrical building services systems, including design management, documentation review, and end-to-end commissioning strategies.
Advanced capability in interpreting and driving coordination of services designs, with strong leadership in digital engineering environments, including BIM and Revit, to ensure seamless integration across disciplines.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams (15+ professionals), while managing complex stakeholder interfaces, subcontractor performance, and delivering outcomes aligned to program, quality, and operational requirements.

If this sounds like your next opportunity, we would love to hear from you as soon as possible! Submit your CV today. Due to the volume of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted – thank you for your understanding.