Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global)
Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global)

Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global)

Full-Time 120000 - 150000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Submer

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 with a focus on sustainability.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, equity participation, and a dynamic work environment.
  • Other info: Work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting with opportunities for global engagement.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI infrastructure while making impactful commercial decisions.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial negotiations and a strong background in infrastructure projects.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 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
    • 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 (deal economics and return thresholds)
    • Land & Power (site‑specific constraints and opportunities)
    • Engineering & Delivery (design, timelines, technical feasibility)
    • Legal (contract frameworks and risk management)
  • Translate technical and infrastructure constraints into commercially viable deal structures.
  • 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
    • 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 (development, financing, construction, operations, refinancing, 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
    • 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
    • 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

    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 engagement and offers competitive compensation alongside performance incentives, making it an attractive choice for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
    Submer

    Contact Detail:

    Submer Recruiting 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

    Prepare for those interviews by researching Submer and its DBO model inside out. Show them you understand their business and how you can contribute to their leasing strategy.

    Tip Number 3

    Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing complex agreements and structuring deals. Confidence is key when you're leading high-value negotiations.

    Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Submer team.

    We think you need these skills to ace Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global)

    Commercial Negotiation
    Legal Structuring
    Deal-Making
    Infrastructure Knowledge
    Project Lifecycle Management
    Risk Allocation
    Cross-Border Transactions
    Stakeholder Management
    Sustainability Alignment
    Capacity Planning
    Pricing Strategy
    Customer Relationship Management
    Strategic Commercial Leadership
    Hands-On Deal Negotiation
    Market Engagement

    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 – DBO role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!

    Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead complex negotiations and structure high-value agreements. Use numbers and examples to illustrate your impact—this helps us see the value you can bring to Submer.

    Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors before hitting send!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Submer team!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Submer

    Know Your Stuff

    Before the interview, dive deep into Submer's business model and the specifics of the Director, Leasing role. Understand the nuances of leasing strategies, commercial structuring, and the types of agreements you'll be dealing with. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.

    Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

    Prepare to discuss your past experiences in leading complex negotiations. Bring examples of high-value deals you've structured, especially in international markets. Highlight how you balanced customer requirements with capital efficiency, as this is crucial for the role.

    Cross-Functional Collaboration

    Be ready to talk about your experience working with various teams like engineering, legal, and investment. Share specific instances where you translated technical constraints into viable commercial agreements. This will demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional deal leadership effectively.

    Align with Sustainability Goals

    Submer values sustainability, so come prepared to discuss how you've integrated sustainable practices into your previous roles. Talk about how you can contribute to their sustainability objectives while still driving revenue and optimising lease structures.

    Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global)
    Submer

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