Data Center Project Manager (Pre-Lease) - Japan

The Project Manager (Pre Lease) is responsible for leading and integrating data centre transactions from site identification through to lease execution. Acting as the client's representative, the role coordinates technical, commercial, legal and delivery stakeholders to ensure informed decision making, effective risk management and successful transaction outcomes.
The role serves as the primary integrator across all due diligence activities, challenging developer proposals, validating assumptions through evidence and translating complex technical findings into clear recommendations for client leadership. Working across multiple concurrent opportunities, the Project Manager drives transaction schedules, manages stakeholder engagement and ensures all requirements, commitments and risks are fully captured and transferred into delivery following lease execution.
This is a front end transaction and advisory role focused on enabling successful investment and leasing decisions. It is not a construction delivery position.
Key responsibilities
Lead assigned data centre transactions from site identification through lease execution, managing all associated actions, milestones and stakeholders.
Act as the central point of coordination across all workstreams to ensure alignment and timely decision making.
Manage the end to end due diligence process, including site, utility, infrastructure, environmental, planning, permitting and developer assessments.
Assess power, water, cooling, connectivity and other critical infrastructure requirements to determine site suitability and identify material risks.
Challenge developer proposals, technical assumptions and delivery commitments, validating claims through evidence and independent assessment.
Compare proposed solutions against client standards and requirements, identifying gaps, risks and mitigation measures.
Develop structured site and developer appraisals with clear recommendations to support investment, leasing and transaction decisions.
Maintain transaction risk registers, action trackers, decision logs and document controls, ensuring issues are identified and escalated in a timely manner.
Coordinate technical, commercial and programme inputs into lease negotiations, technical schedules, performance requirements and contractual commitments.
Manage engagement with developers, consultants and client stakeholders, driving accountability and resolution of outstanding actions.
Prepare regular transaction status updates, risk reports and decision papers for programme and client leadership.
Drive transaction schedules and critical path activities to maintain momentum across multiple concurrent opportunities.
Prepare and own the lease handover package, ensuring all requirements, assumptions, commitments, risks and obligations are clearly communicated to downstream delivery teams.
Proven project management experience on data centre, mission-critical or complex real estate transactions
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary due diligence under deal pressure
Rigorous document and tracker discipline — nothing falls through
Confident stakeholder management across client, developer and internal teams
Strong written English; local language capability a significant advantage
Willingness to travel in-market to sites as deals require

Employment type
Contract

Work arrangement
No