Director, Underwriting & Investment Analysis – Design, Build & Operate (Global) in London

Director, Underwriting & Investment Analysis – Design, Build & Operate (Global) in London

London Full-Time 100000 - 150000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Submer

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global investment analysis for cutting-edge AI data centre projects.
  • Company: Join Submer, a leader in innovative AI infrastructure solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, and equity participation.
  • Other info: Dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with opportunities for significant ownership.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI growth with impactful investment strategies.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in infrastructure investing and strong financial modelling skills.

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, Underwriting & Investment Analysis – DBO is a critical commercial leadership role responsible for evaluating, structuring, and underwriting Submer's global data center investments. You will sit at the center of capital deployment decisions, ensuring that every project—land acquisition, power strategy, design, construction, and operations—meets rigorous financial, strategic, and risk criteria. This role enables Submer to scale with discipline, balancing speed‐to‐market with return on capital, risk management, and long‐term platform value creation.

What You'll Do

  • Investment Underwriting & Deal Evaluation
    • Lead underwriting of DBO projects across global markets
    • Build and own detailed financial models for:
      • Greenfield developments
      • Build-to-suit projects
      • Modular deployments
      • Strategic partnerships / JVs
    • Evaluate returns (IRR, NPV), capital efficiency, and risk‐adjusted performance
    • Assess sensitivity to key drivers (power costs, utilization, build cost, financing assumptions)
    • Support go/no‐go investment decisions with clear, data‐driven recommendations
  • Capital Allocation & Investment Strategy
    • Partner with executive leadership to define capital deployment priorities across markets and projects
    • Establish underwriting standards, return thresholds, and investment frameworks
    • Ensure alignment between investment decisions and Submer's broader DBO growth strategy
    • Support portfolio construction across geographies and customer segments
  • Cross‐Functional Commercial Leadership
    • Work closely with:
      • Land Acquisition & Energy (site and power inputs)
      • Engineering & Design (cost and technical assumptions)
      • Construction & Delivery (capex, timelines, risk)
      • Operations (opex, lifecycle performance)
    • Translate technical and operational inputs into robust financial assumptions
    • Ensure commercial discipline is embedded throughout the full DBO lifecycle
  • Financial Modeling & Analysis
    • Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models incorporating:
      • Capex and phasing
      • Power pricing and escalation
      • Revenue structures (colocation, wholesale, AI infrastructure services)
      • Operating costs and lifecycle maintenance
    • Conduct scenario analysis, stress testing, and downside case modeling
    • Standardize modeling approaches across projects and regions
  • Investment Committee & Stakeholder Management
    • Prepare and present investment materials to internal leadership and investors
    • Support engagement with financial partners, lenders, and strategic investors
    • Translate complex financial concepts into clear narratives for executive decision‐making
    • Act as a key interface with Finance, Strategy, and external advisors
  • Market & Competitive Intelligence
    • Monitor data center, AI infrastructure, and energy market dynamics
    • Benchmark build costs, power pricing, and return expectations across regions
    • Provide insights to inform market entry, pricing strategy, and investment timing

What You'll Need

  • 10+ years of experience in infrastructure investing, project finance, private equity, or corporate development
  • Strong background in financial modeling and investment underwriting for capital‐intensive projects
  • Experience in one or more of the following:
    • Data center infrastructure
    • Energy / power infrastructure
    • Real assets / industrials / logistics
    • Digital infrastructure (cloud, fiber, edge, AI)
  • Deep understanding of:
    • Project finance structures
    • Capex‐heavy investment cycles
    • Risk allocation across development, construction, and operations
  • Proven ability to operate in a cross‐functional, technically complex environment
  • Strong commercial judgment and ability to influence senior stakeholders
  • Experience working internationally and across multiple jurisdictions preferred

What We Offer

  • A central role in shaping Submer's global investment strategy and capital deployment
  • Direct exposure to high‐value infrastructure projects at the forefront of AI growth
  • Opportunity to work across the full lifecycle of assets—from origination through operations
  • A fast‐scaling, entrepreneurial environment with significant ownership
  • Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and long‐term equity participation

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, Underwriting & Investment Analysis – Design, Build & Operate (Global) in London employer: Submer

Submer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment in London that fosters innovation and growth. As a leader in AI data center infrastructure, employees benefit from direct involvement in high-value projects, competitive compensation, and opportunities for long-term equity participation. The company prioritises diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all team members can thrive and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable technology.

Submer

Contact Detail:

Submer Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Underwriting & Investment Analysis – Design, Build & Operate (Global) in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and have your own ready. Show us you’re genuinely interested in Submer and our mission!

Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.

Tip Number 4

Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are proactive. Even if you don’t tick every box, we appreciate the effort and might find a place for you in our growing team.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Underwriting & Investment Analysis – Design, Build & Operate (Global) in London

Investment Underwriting
Financial Modelling
Capital Allocation
Risk Management
Data Analysis
Cross-Functional Leadership
Market Intelligence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in infrastructure investing and financial modelling. We want to see how your skills align with the Director role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!

Showcase Your Financial Acumen:Since this role is all about investment analysis, be sure to include specific examples of financial models you've built or deals you've evaluated. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your achievements, do it!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it's necessary. Make it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for our team.

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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Submer

Know Your Numbers

As a Director in Underwriting & Investment Analysis, you'll need to be comfortable with financial metrics. Brush up on key concepts like IRR, NPV, and capital efficiency. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past projects to make data-driven decisions.

Understand the DBO Model

Familiarise yourself with Submer's Design, Build & Operate model. Be prepared to explain how you would evaluate and structure investments within this framework. Show that you can balance speed-to-market with risk management and long-term value creation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

This role requires working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across functions like engineering, construction, and operations. Highlight your ability to translate technical inputs into financial assumptions.

Market Insights Matter

Stay updated on trends in data centre and AI infrastructure markets. Be ready to discuss how market dynamics influence investment strategies. Showing that you can provide insights on competitive benchmarks will demonstrate your strategic thinking.