Head of Planning & Design

Head of Planning & Design – Data Centres

Location: Europe (Flexible/Hybrid/Remote Considered)

Employment Type: Full-time | Senior Leadership

Reports To: SVP, Global Design & Construction

About the Role

We are working on behalf of a leading Data Centre AI Infrastructure company seeking a visionary Head of Planning & Design to lead their global Datacenter Design and Construction division . This is a mission-critical leadership position responsible for defining and executing best-in-class infrastructure strategies across their expanding datacenter portfolio. You will lead complex, multi-regional projects from inception to delivery, and act as the technical authority across electrical, mechanical, and cooling disciplines .

This is not a typical leadership role—we are looking for one of the best in the industry . If you\’re a technical heavyweight, a strategic thinker, and a proven leader who can navigate the complexity of global infrastructure at scale, we want to speak to you.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership : Own the global design and planning strategy for new builds, expansions, and retrofits.
• Design Management : Lead the development of robust electrical, mechanical, and cooling system designs, driving innovation, scalability, and efficiency.
• Technical Oversight : Provide hands-on guidance during design reviews, ensuring alignment with Tier I-IV standards, client needs, and internal objectives.
• Stakeholder Collaboration : Partner cross-functionally with operations, sustainability, procurement, and IT to align infrastructure with long-term business goals.
• Vendor and Contractor Management : Directly oversee external consultants, engineers, and contractors, ensuring all work meets quality, timeline, and budget targets.
• CAPEX & Budgeting : Own cost forecasting and capital planning, ensuring the financial viability of major design and construction programs.
• Compliance and Standards : Ensure adherence to local codes, global regulations, and internal standards throughout all projects.
• Continuous Improvement : Identify and implement best practices to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and drive performance across the full lifecycle of datacenter development.

What We’re Looking For

• Education : Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical, Mechanical, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Experience : 10+ years in datacenter design & construction, with 5+ years in senior leadership roles .
• Technical Depth : Expertise in mission-critical infrastructure: power distribution, UPS, generators, HVAC, and cutting-edge cooling systems.
• Project Track Record : Proven success delivering large-scale, complex builds across multiple geographies.
• Standards Expertise : Deep understanding of Tier I-IV, ASHRAE, Uptime, and other global frameworks.
• Leadership & Communication : Exceptional ability to lead teams, influence at C-level, and manage high-stakes decision-making.

Preferred Certifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)
• PMP or equivalent project management qualification

Why Join?

• Shape the infrastructure of one of the fastest growing tech sectors in the world
• Work with a visionary leadership team and a highly technical group of peers
• Drive critical design decisions with global impact
• Be part of a high-performance, no-nonsense team that values excellence