At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global leasing strategies and negotiate high-value agreements in AI infrastructure.
- Company: Join Submer, a pioneering company in AI data centre solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, and equity participation.
- Other info: Dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with opportunities for global impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI infrastructure with impactful, strategic deals.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial negotiations and infrastructure deal-making.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Location: London, United Kingdom (Hybrid) | Start: ASAP | Contract: Full-Time / Permanent | Travel: International (as required)
About Submer
Submer designs and delivers end-to-end AI data center infrastructure built around industry-leading liquid cooling. Through our Design, Build & Operate (DBO) model, we provide fully integrated infrastructure solutions—from site origination and development through to delivery and ongoing operations—enabling customers to scale AI with speed, efficiency, and sustainability.
What Impact You Will Have
The Director, Leasing – DBO is a critical commercial leadership role responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating customer agreements across Submer’s global data center platform. This role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, legal structuring, and infrastructure delivery, leading complex, high-value leasing transactions with hyperscalers, AI companies, and enterprise customers. You will play a central role in converting Submer’s infrastructure investments into long-term, revenue-generating contracts—ensuring deals are structured to balance risk, return, scalability, and operational flexibility.
What You’ll Do
- Leasing Strategy & Commercial Structuring
- Define and execute leasing strategy across Submer’s DBO portfolio globally
- Structure complex commercial agreements, including hyperscale / wholesale leases, build-to-suit agreements, AI infrastructure capacity agreements, and hybrid or platform-based commercial models
- Align leasing strategy with investment underwriting, capacity planning, and market entry priorities
- Deal Origination & Negotiation
- Lead end-to-end negotiation of leasing transactions with hyperscalers, AI companies, and enterprise clients
- Act as lead negotiator and commercial counterpart across all stages of the deal lifecycle
- Structure agreements that address capacity commitments and ramp schedules, pricing, escalation, and power pass-through mechanisms, service levels, uptime, and performance guarantees, expansion rights, renewal options, and exit provisions
- Balance customer requirements with Submer’s capital efficiency and operational model
- Cross-Functional Deal Leadership
- Partner closely with Investment & Underwriting, Land & Power, Engineering & Delivery, and Legal teams to translate technical and infrastructure constraints into commercially viable deal structures and ensure alignment between contractual commitments and delivery capabilities
- Portfolio & Revenue Optimization
- Support development of a diversified, high-quality customer portfolio
- Optimize lease structures to maximize long-term revenue visibility, capacity utilization, and risk-adjusted returns
- Contribute to pricing strategy and commercial frameworks across regions
- Stakeholder Management & Market Engagement
- Build and maintain senior relationships with hyperscalers, AI infrastructure players, and enterprise clients
- Represent Submer in strategic commercial discussions and negotiations globally
- Collaborate with internal leadership to shape market positioning and go-to-market strategy
- Sustainability & Strategic Alignment
- Ensure leasing structures align with Submer’s sustainability objectives, including energy efficiency and responsible infrastructure deployment
- Support customer engagement around sustainable AI infrastructure solutions
- Contribute to broader company strategy through commercial insight and market feedback
What You’ll Need
- 10+ years of experience in commercial negotiations, legal structuring, or deal-making within infrastructure, energy, data centers, or large-scale industrial projects
- Strong background in leading complex, high-value negotiations across international markets
- Experience across the full project lifecycle, including development, financing, construction, operations, refinancing, and M&A
- Deep understanding of long-term infrastructure contracts and leasing models, risk allocation and commercial structuring, multi-stakeholder cross-border transactions
- Ability to operate as both a strategic commercial leader and a hands‑on deal negotiator
- Experience working with hyperscalers, large enterprises, or infrastructure customers strongly preferred
- Background often includes infrastructure legal counsel (in-house or private practice), commercial/investment roles in data center or energy platforms, or project finance or infrastructure development environments
What We Offer
- A pivotal role shaping Submer’s global commercial engine within the DBO model
- Direct involvement in high‑impact, strategic deals at the forefront of AI infrastructure
- Opportunity to work across global markets and complex, multidisciplinary projects
- A fast‑scaling, entrepreneurial environment with real ownership and influence
- Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and long‑term equity participation
Our inclusive responsibility
Submer is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Director, Leasing - Design, Build & Operate (Global) employer: Submer - Datacenters That Make Sense
Submer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving AI infrastructure sector. With a focus on employee growth, Submer provides opportunities for direct involvement in high-impact projects and strategic deals, all while promoting sustainability and operational excellence. Located in London, this hybrid role allows for international travel, ensuring a diverse and enriching experience for its employees.
Contact Details:
Submer - Datacenters That Make Sense Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Leasing - Design, Build & Operate (Global)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your past experiences in commercial negotiations and deal-making. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in structuring complex agreements.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure you can clearly articulate how your background aligns with their needs, especially in the context of AI infrastructure.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Plus, it gives you a direct line to our hiring team, making it easier for us to spot your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Leasing - Design, Build & Operate (Global)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial negotiations and deal-making. We want to see how your background aligns with the Director, Leasing role and Submer's mission.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on your achievements in leading complex negotiations and structuring agreements. We love seeing quantifiable results, so don’t shy away from sharing specific examples!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Submer!
How to prepare for a job interview at Submer - Datacenters That Make Sense
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand Submer's DBO model and how it integrates with AI data centre infrastructure. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of leasing strategies, commercial agreements, and the types of clients you'll be negotiating with, like hyperscalers and AI companies.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in leading complex negotiations. Be ready to share specific examples where you successfully structured deals that balanced risk and return, and how you navigated challenges during the negotiation process.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration is Key
Highlight your experience working with various teams such as Investment & Underwriting, Engineering, and Legal. Discuss how you've translated technical constraints into viable commercial structures, as this role requires strong cross-functional leadership.
✨Align with Sustainability Goals
Submer values sustainability, so be prepared to talk about how you can contribute to their objectives. Share insights on how you’ve previously integrated sustainability into leasing structures or commercial strategies, showing that you’re aligned with their mission.
