European Data Centre Development Director

Our client is a fast-growing European data centre developer focused on building the next generation of scalable, resilient and AI-ready digital infrastructure.

We are looking for an experienced European Data Centre Development Director to play a key role in the company’s continued expansion across Europe.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership position responsible for identifying, evaluating, securing and developing future data centre locations. You will help determine where the organisation grows next and lead opportunities from initial market assessment through to ready-to-build development.

Your responsibilities

• Develop and execute the European strategy for new data centre locations.
• Identify and prioritise attractive markets and development opportunities.
• Build and manage a pipeline of land, power and infrastructure opportunities.
• Evaluate potential sites based on power availability, connectivity, land, regulation, permitting, customer demand and development risk.
• Lead technical, commercial, legal, environmental and regulatory due diligence.
• Assess grid capacity, connection strategies, energisation timelines and future expansion potential.
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners, grid operators, utilities, authorities, advisors and strategic partners.
• Lead land acquisition strategies and commercial negotiations.
• Develop site-level business cases, development plans and investment proposals.
• Progress selected opportunities through land acquisition, power, zoning, permitting and infrastructure planning towards ready-to-build status.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Design & Construction, Commercial, Legal, Finance and ESG.
• Present clear investment recommendations and development strategies to the CEO, Leadership Team and Board.

What you bring

• 10+ years of relevant experience in data centre development, infrastructure, energy, real estate development or a comparable sector.
• A proven track record in site selection and the development of large-scale or energy-intensive projects.
• Strong understanding of European power markets, grid connection processes and power availability.
• Experience with land acquisition, permitting, zoning, environmental due diligence and local authority engagement.
• Strong commercial and financial judgement, including experience with business cases, development cost modelling and investment decisions.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management and project leadership skills.
• The ability to translate complex technical, commercial and regulatory information into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
• An entrepreneurial, analytical and results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent command of English. Additional European languages are an advantage.

What the role offers

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity where you will have a direct influence on the organisation’s European growth strategy. You will work closely with senior leadership, investors and functional teams while building relationships with key stakeholders across European data centre markets.

The role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to take ownership of new developments from initial market strategy and site identification through to investment approval and ready-to-build.

Location: Netherlands or UK, with regular travel to European markets, prospective development sites, partners and other relevant locations.

Interested?

Would you like to learn more about this opportunity or discuss whether the role could be a good fit for your experience?

Please feel free to contact Burak Öktem for a confidential conversation.