Associate Director

Associate Director – Electrical or Mechanical – Data Centres and Mission Critical

Location UK-Wide (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cardiff and Bristol)

We are a specialist recruitment agency partnering with a leading UK consultancy renowned for delivering high-profile, mission-critical data centre projects across the UK and Europe.

As the business continues to expand its footprint in hyperscale, colocation, and bespoke data centre sectors, we are seeking an experienced Associate Director in Building Services Engineering (Electrical or Mechanical) to join their senior leadership team.

This pivotal role offers a blend of technical leadership, business development, and strategic oversight across multidisciplinary data centre projects.

Who We\’re Looking For

We are inviting applications from senior Electrical or Mechanical Engineers with extensive experience in leading complex data centre projects, managing large teams, and driving business growth across UK and European markets.

You will play a key role in setting strategic direction, delivering exceptional engineering solutions, and fostering client and stakeholder relationships at the highest levels.

For Electrical Associate Directors:

• Lead the electrical engineering strategy across hyperscale and colocation data centre projects in the UK and Europe
• Provide technical governance on power infrastructure including UPS, switchgear, generators, and standby systems
• Drive innovation in electrical design and adoption of new technologies
• Oversee project portfolios ensuring high standards of design quality, risk management, and compliance
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and internal leadership on electrical systems and market trends

For Mechanical Associate Directors:

• Shape the mechanical engineering strategy for HVAC, cooling, and environmental systems across large data centres
• Champion energy efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in mechanical design
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver integrated MEP solutions on complex projects
• Manage stakeholder engagement with clients, contractors, and regulators
• Mentor senior staff and promote continuous improvement in mechanical engineering practices

For Both Roles:

• Provide senior leadership on multi-disciplinary project delivery and business growth initiatives
• Lead business development efforts including proposal preparation, client presentations, and bid leadership
• Represent the consultancy at industry forums, conferences, and key client meetings across UK and Europe
• Drive culture and operational excellence within the engineering teams
• Support professional development and career progression pathways

Requirements

• Degree-qualified in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (or Building Services)
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) essential
• 10+ years of progressive experience in building services engineering with a minimum of 4 years at a senior leadership level
• Proven success delivering hyperscale, colocation, or mission-critical data centre projects across the UK and Europe
• Strong commercial acumen, client management, and business development skills
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic planning capabilities
• Ability to manage and inspire large, multidisciplinary teams

What’s on Offer

• Executive leadership role within a market-leading data centre consultancy
• Competitive executive salary, bonus, and comprehensive benefits package
• Hybrid working
• Opportunity to influence the future of data centre engineering at scale
• Supportive environment fostering innovation, diversity, and professional growth
• Executive-Level Competitive Package + Benefits

If you are an experienced Associate Director with expertise in electrical or mechanical engineering for hyperscale and colocation data centres across the UK and Europe, we’d love to hear from you.