At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic development of data centres across the UK and Europe, from land acquisition to project delivery.
- Company: Join Gülermak Renewables, a leading international infrastructure contractor with a focus on renewable energy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team that values ownership and performance.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the renewable energy sector while working on large-scale projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in infrastructure development, with expertise in data centres and renewable energy.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
We are looking for a highly strategic and commercially driven Head of Data Centre Development to lead greenfield origination, entitlement, grid capacity acquisition, and end-to-end project development across the UK and European markets. You will be responsible for identifying and securing land, arranging long-term leases or acquisitions, obtaining substantial grid connections, navigating environmental and planning approvals, and progressing projects from early-stage origination through to ready-to-build status. The role will drive commercial engagement with hyperscale and colocation operators to secure energy offtake opportunities and strategic partnerships. The successful candidate will be the leading person for our data centre initiative, working with our business development as well as procurement team in a matrix organization to develop projects across UK and EU. This is a senior, high-impact leadership position directly responsible for building and monetising data centre development pipeline.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead strategic land origination across target UK and European markets, identifying and securing sites suitable for large-scale data centre campuses, assessing grid availability, fiber connectivity, planning policy alignment, environmental constraints, water access and community feasibility.
- Negotiate and structure land agreements, including options, conditional purchases and long-term leases, ensuring appropriate risk allocation, planning protections, expansion rights and commercially favourable terms.
- Drive grid connection strategy and capacity acquisition, managing applications, connection offers and negotiations with transmission and distribution operators including National Grid, UK DNOs and European TSOs, securing firm high-capacity connections aligned with hyperscale demand.
- Oversee the full planning and environmental approval process, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), zoning and land-use applications, flood risk, transport, noise and environmental permits, ensuring projects progress efficiently through regulatory frameworks.
- Lead stakeholder engagement at senior level, building relationships with utilities, planning authorities, regulators such as Environment Agency, economic development bodies, landowners and community representatives to de-risk project delivery.
- Structure commercial strategies to monetise power and land positions, engaging with operators as well as tenants, supporting offtake discussions and enabling long-term development partnerships.
- Lead cross-functional coordination internally, aligning development milestones with legal, finance, engineering and EPC teams to progress projects from early-stage origination to ready-to-build status.
- Manage external advisors and consultants, including planning consultants, environmental specialists, grid advisors and land agents, ensuring programme discipline, cost control and delivery timelines.
What we’re looking for:
- 10+ years’ experience in large-scale infrastructure development within the UK and/or Europe, including data centres and renewable energy projects.
- Proven track record of leading projects from early-stage origination (pre-RTB) through planning consent, grid-secured and fully investment-approved Ready-to-Build (RTB) status, with structured handover to EPC teams.
- Demonstrated experience securing high-capacity grid connections managing connection applications and negotiations with transmission and distribution operators such as National Grid and European TSOs/DSOs.
- Strong working knowledge of UK and EU planning and environmental frameworks, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), town planning processes, environmental permitting and infrastructure approvals.
- Extensive experience negotiating land agreements, including option agreements, conditional purchase contracts and long-term leases.
- Established professional network in data centre space across utilities, planning authorities, landowners, regulators, operators as well as tenants and other stakeholders in priority UK and European markets.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to structure development risk, manage budgets and prepare board-level investment papers.
What We’ll Offer You:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Hybrid working environment
- Supportive and dynamic workplace culture
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
- Opportunity to work on challenging, large-scale international projects
Head of Data Centre Development in London employer: Gülermak Renewables
Gülermak Renewables is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive workplace culture that fosters professional development and career growth opportunities. As part of a high-performing team, you will have the chance to lead impactful projects in the renewable energy sector across the UK and Europe, all while enjoying a competitive salary and a hybrid working environment that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Centre Development in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know in the data centre space, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies of your past projects. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at Gülermak Renewables, and express your interest in working with them. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand our goals and challenges in the data centre sector, and be ready to discuss how your skills can help us achieve them. Confidence is key!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Centre Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Data Centre Development role. Highlight your experience in large-scale infrastructure development, especially in data centres and renewable energy projects. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in securing land agreements and managing grid connections. Let us know how you can drive our data centre initiatives forward.
Showcase Your Network:We value connections! If you have an established professional network in the data centre space, make sure to mention it. Highlight relationships with utilities, planning authorities, and other stakeholders that could benefit our projects across the UK and Europe.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Gülermak Renewables!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gülermak Renewables
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the data centre development landscape, especially in the UK and Europe. Brush up on your knowledge of grid connections, planning policies, and environmental regulations. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will show that you're not just interested but also well-prepared.
✨Showcase Your Network
Highlight your established professional network within the data centre space. Be ready to discuss how your relationships with utilities, planning authorities, and other stakeholders can benefit the company. This is a senior role, so demonstrating your ability to leverage connections is key.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to navigate hypothetical situations related to land origination or grid capacity acquisition. Think through your past experiences and be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar challenges. This will showcase your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Align with Company Values
Research Gülermak Renewables and understand their mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your experience and vision align with their goals in renewable energy and infrastructure. Showing that you resonate with their culture will make you a more attractive candidate.
