Head - Data Centres Programme in London

techUK is the trade association which brings together people, companies, and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. With over 1100 members (the majority of which are SMEs) across the UK, techUK creates a network for innovation and collaboration across business, government, and stakeholders to provide a better future for people, society, the economy, and the planet. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners, and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next in a constantly changing world.

Leading techUK’s work as a champion for the UK data centre sector as a foundational component of the nation’s digital, economic and strategic infrastructure. Acting as a senior advocate for the sector across government, regulators and industry, the postholder will represent and support a discerning and high-profile membership spanning the full breadth of the data centre ecosystem, from wholesale colocation and hyperscale cloud providers to telecoms operators, technology partners and professional services. The role requires authority across a wide and evolving policy landscape - including energy, sustainability, resilience, security, AI infrastructure and digital sovereignty - alongside a strong commitment to delivering an exemplary member experience through high-quality insight, responsive engagement and effective representation.

As the focal point for techUK’s activity in this area, the role is responsible for shaping policy and media positions, strengthening industry influence, convening senior stakeholders and ensuring the sector’s priorities are understood and reflected in national policy, press and industry debate, while delivering against commercial, membership and programme objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Being a trusted, knowledgeable and influential spokesperson and interlocutor across government, industry and press.
• Identifying emerging public policy issues relevant to data infrastructure, prioritising and acting on them appropriately.
• Alerting the industry to new policy and market developments, researching implications and collating evidence of potential impacts.
• Coordinating lobbying and campaign strategies for issues of most significant concern.
• Managing multiple dossiers relating to policy, compliance, reputation and markets, most of which remain active over the long term and may be technical in nature.
• Maintaining close working relationships and sharing information with partner bodies and other data centre focused NTAs.
• Producing externally-facing explanatory material for non-technical readers.
• Producing industry-facing explanatory materials to clarify complex policy instruments for the sector.
• Ensuring techUK is seen as a trusted and key champion for the sector in the media.
• Maintaining a permanent skills dialogue through partnerships, outreach and publications.
• Secretariat function for the Data Centres Council – this group is the senior sector representation and Council meetings provide the forum for strategic discussions on issues facing the sector.
• Reporting back to members regularly on activity and progress, and regular meetings and check-ins with members.

As Head of the Data Centres Programme at techUK, you will also be the Sector association lead for the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme, holding the relationship between the sector, the Environment Agency and the UK Government.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A self-motivated individual who is comfortable leading several projects.
• A team player who is comfortable and able to work with relevant teams across techUK.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• A networker, with an understanding of how to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of people and organisations.
• Has a can-do and flexible approach, comfortable working in a high pressure, fast paced environment with competing demands.
• Effective communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to get to grips with complex technical information and to communicate this effectively to a range of audiences.
• Is able to articulate, explain and sell the benefits of techUK to a range of audiences from government to potential new members.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the interaction between public policy and complex industries and the environmental challenges faced by the tech sector.
• Strong knowledge of public affairs and can demonstrate successful public policy outcomes.
• Has a proven track record and experience of managing complex relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Comfortable with and has experience of working with board level executives.
• Experience drafting media lines and press statements that give the sector a clear, consistent voice.

Desired Knowledge and Experience

• A working knowledge of UK data centre market characteristics and business models, both domestic and international.
• Good familiarity with data centre operational functions and processes.
• An understanding of the regulatory and policy environment with regard to data infrastructure at UK and EU level.
• General familiarity with the standards, metrics and best practice tools commonly adopted within the industry.

This is a full time role based out of techUK’s London offices, however techUK operates a flexible working policy. This role profile is a guide to the work that is required but does not form part of any contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances. The successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK prior to the commencement of employment. The salary range for this role is £45,000-£65,000 per annum based upon experience plus discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits.