At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of AI-ready Data Centres across Europe and shape market expansion strategies.
- Company: High-growth Data Centre developer with a focus on innovative infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and significant influence at leadership level.
- Other info: Dynamic role with regular travel and excellent career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in a booming industry and make impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in Data Centre development or related fields with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: UK or Netherlands | Regular European Travel
Salary: Competitive salary & Package
About the opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen with a high-growth Data Centre developer expanding its European footprint and investing heavily in the next generation of scalable, AI-ready infrastructure. The business is developing a significant pipeline of future Data Centre opportunities across Europe and is looking to appoint a Site Strategy & Development Director to play a pivotal role in shaping where and how that growth happens. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a senior position with genuine influence over market entry, site selection, power strategy, land acquisition, development feasibility and investment decisions. This is an opportunity to join the business at an important stage of its growth, with the successful candidate having significant visibility at Leadership and Board level and the autonomy to build the market intelligence and site origination function from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the company's European site strategy and market expansion plans, identifying priority markets based on customer demand, power availability, grid constraints, connectivity, land availability, regulation and speed-to-market.
- Build and lead a centralised market intelligence function, including a GIS-based mapping tool and structured approach to identifying and qualifying future Data Centre opportunities.
- Build and maintain a pipeline of land, power and infrastructure opportunities capable of supporting scalable, resilient and AI-ready Data Centre developments.
- Lead site feasibility assessments and technical, commercial, environmental and regulatory due diligence.
- Assess grid capacity, connection routes, power delivery timelines, redundancy, energy costs and long-term expansion potential, working closely with utilities, grid operators and energy partners.
- Lead negotiations around land options, acquisitions, development agreements, easements and strategic partnerships.
- Develop site-level financial assessments covering land, grid connections, enabling works, permitting, development timelines and overall cost.
- Prepare compelling investment cases, CEO briefings and Board-level recommendations, clearly outlining strategic rationale, risk, return and execution pathway.
- Own the end-to-end early-stage development process, progressing sites from initial identification through acquisition and ultimately to ready-to-build and handover into design and construction.
- Coordinate internal Engineering, Operations, Design & Construction, Commercial, Legal, Finance and ESG teams to ensure critical development workstreams remain aligned.
- Manage early-stage risks covering power, land, planning, permitting, environmental constraints, water, access, utilities, legal title and commercial assumptions.
- Build strong relationships with landowners, developers, utilities, authorities, municipalities, regulators, advisors, customers and strategic partners across European markets.
- Provide regular reporting to the CEO and Leadership Team on market priorities, pipeline development, power availability, acquisition progress, permitting and investment readiness.
Experience & Competencies
- 5–10+ years' relevant experience within Data Centre site selection, infrastructure development, real estate development, energy strategy, utilities, commercial development or technical real estate.
- Proven track record of identifying, evaluating and securing sites for Data Centre, mission-critical, energy-intensive or large-scale infrastructure developments.
- Strong understanding of power availability, grid connections, utility negotiations, renewable energy and infrastructure delivery risk.
- Experience with land acquisition, zoning, permitting, environmental due diligence, entitlements and local authority engagement across European markets.
- Strong commercial and financial understanding, including development cost modelling, total cost of ownership, lease-versus-own analysis and investment approval processes.
- Ability to interpret technical, power, planning and commercial information and turn it into clear recommendations for senior leadership and investment decisions.
- Strong negotiation, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional development programmes and bring multiple stakeholders together around strategic decisions.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced, international and high-growth environment.
- European language skills would be advantageous, particularly for engagement with local authorities, utilities and landowners.
Location & Travel
UK or Netherlands based, with regular travel to Amsterdam, prospective development sites, target European markets, utility meetings, local authorities and strategic partners.
Development Director in London employer: Clear.
Join a dynamic and innovative Data Centre developer that prioritises employee growth and offers a competitive salary package. With a strong focus on collaboration and strategic influence, this role provides the opportunity to shape the future of scalable, AI-ready infrastructure across Europe. The company fosters a supportive work culture that values autonomy and encourages professional development, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in a high-growth environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Director in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Development Director at Clear.!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Clear. or be willing to refer you for that Development Director position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Clear. who’s on the lookout for their next Development Director star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Development Director role at Clear.!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Clear.. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Clear.
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Clear.. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
