At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge data centres for AI and high-performance computing.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company shaping the future of technology.
- Benefits: Unlimited holiday, share options, remote work, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global-scale projects in a fast-growing sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in data centre strategy, construction, and operations required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Ready to shape the future of Data Centre Strategy? This is a rare opportunity to take the lead in building the physical backbone for next-generation AI and high-performance computing. We’re on an ambitious journey to deploy 3GW of data centre capacity by 2030, and our client needs someone who can think big while delivering on the details.
This is a chance to take on one of the most strategic roles in the industry, shaping the physical backbone of next-generation AI and high-performance computing. You’ll be at the forefront of a bold mission: delivering 3GW of data centre capacity by 2030. This isn’t just about building infrastructure; it’s about enabling a commercial vision through world-class partnerships and innovative deal structures.
Your role combines high-level strategy with hands-on execution. You’ll define and deliver a multi-year roadmap that secures large-scale facilities primarily targeting opportunities of 25MW and above to support hyperscale AI and HPC deployments. Working closely with the CEO and CFO, you’ll craft creative partnership and funding models, from co-investment and revenue-sharing to build-to-suit agreements and alternative financing solutions. Beyond the commercial side, you’ll collaborate with engineering teams to set rigorous technical standards for power density, cooling, connectivity, and resilience ensuring every facility meets the demands of modern AI infrastructure. You’ll also lead strategic capacity planning, making sure we stay ahead of demand with the right infrastructure in the right locations.
This role is about influence and innovation. You’ll represent the organisation in industry forums, build relationships with data centre operators and infrastructure investors, and negotiate deals that balance speed to market, cost efficiency, and technical capability. You’ll oversee projects from feasibility through commissioning, manage vendor relationships at an executive level, and drive governance around sustainability, compliance, and operational excellence.
AI and HPC workloads are redefining what data centres need to deliver. By joining us, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of large-scale infrastructure by bringing strategic creativity to one of the fastest-growing sectors in technology. If you thrive on complexity, enjoy building partnerships, and want to make a tangible impact on global-scale projects, this is your opportunity.
To succeed in this role, you’ll need a deep understanding of data centre infrastructure design, construction, and operations, including electrical and mechanical systems, advanced cooling technologies, and IT infrastructure. Your expertise should extend to large-scale IT deployments, particularly AI and HPC clusters, with their demanding requirements around power density, direct liquid cooling, and high-speed networking.
We’re looking for someone with proven experience in developing and implementing large-scale data centre strategies and investment roadmaps, ideally within hyperscale environments involving multi-gigawatt programmes. You’ll bring strong knowledge of capacity planning, energy efficiency, sustainability initiatives, and resilience frameworks, ensuring our infrastructure meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.
This role demands exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to devise innovative solutions to complex technical and commercial challenges. You’ll need outstanding leadership and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing cross-functional teams, senior executives, and external partners. Strong business instincts, combined with the ability to balance risk, return, and strategic alignment, are critical. Finally, you’ll be an excellent communicator, able to translate complex technical and financial concepts into clear, compelling narratives for board-level audiences, and a skilled negotiator with experience handling high-stakes commercial discussions.
What you’ll get in return:
- Share options and long-term incentives
- Unlimited holiday policy
- 100% remote working with flexible hours
- A culture of internal promotion and career development
- A collaborative, forward-thinking team
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- A truly flexible and supportive workplace
Head of Data Centre Development and Strategy employer: hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
Contact Detail:
hays-gcj-v4-pd-online Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Centre Development and Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges. Show them you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their ambitious goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Centre Development and Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data centre development and strategy. We want to see how your skills align with our ambitious goals, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've led!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, emphasise your ability to think big while managing the details. We’re looking for someone who can define a roadmap and deliver on it, so share examples of how you’ve successfully navigated complex projects in the past.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about influence and innovation, so make sure to illustrate your leadership experience. Talk about how you've managed cross-functional teams and built partnerships that have driven success in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of data centres!
How to prepare for a job interview at hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
✨Know Your Data Centre Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of data centre infrastructure design, construction, and operations. Be ready to discuss advanced cooling technologies and IT infrastructure, especially in relation to AI and HPC workloads. This will show that you’re not just a strategist but also someone who understands the nitty-gritty details.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to share examples of how you've developed and implemented large-scale data centre strategies in the past. Think about specific projects where you’ve had to balance technical requirements with commercial goals. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to think big while delivering on the details.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since this role involves negotiating major deals, be ready to discuss your negotiation experience. Bring examples of high-stakes discussions you've handled, particularly those that required balancing speed to market with cost efficiency. Highlight your skills in creating innovative partnership models that set you apart.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice translating complex technical and financial concepts into clear narratives. You’ll need to impress senior executives and board members, so focus on being concise and compelling. Use storytelling techniques to make your points resonate, and don’t shy away from showcasing your leadership and stakeholder management skills.