Senior Director Pre-Development

Job Title: Senior Director, Pre-Development

Location: London, United Kingdom (with travel across Europe ~50%)
Sector: Data Centre Development
Type: Permanent

Company Overview

Our client is a market leader in the data centre industry, delivering large-scale developments across Tier 1 European markets. With a strong pipeline of new builds and no plans to acquire legacy infrastructure, their focus is firmly on delivering high-specification, ground-up (Greenfield) Data Centres in typical European markets.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Director, Pre-Development to join the European leadership team. Based in London, this individual will play a pivotal role in overseeing early-stage development across multiple countries. As the number two leader in the region for pre-development, this person will step in to lead the function as needed and manage a high-performing team of Pre-Development Directors – with experience from top-tier data centre and tech businesses.
This role involves extensive cross-functional collaboration across construction, investment, real estate, and executive leadership teams across both Europe and North America. The ideal candidate will be experienced in delivering major Data Centre Campuses, be highly adaptable, and motivated by a service-first leadership culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as second-in-command for European Pre-Development, stepping in to lead when required.
• Oversee due diligence, land planning, entitlement, and permitting activities across multiple new build sites.
• Directly manage and grow a team of Pre-Development Directors, providing mentorship and strategic leadership.
• Discover and acquire large-scale Greenfield sites across Tier 1 markets.
• Align with investment, construction, and real estate teams to ensure strategic project execution.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with regulators, government authorities, and infrastructure partners.
• Represent the business in senior-level discussions with internal and external stakeholders across Europe and the US.
• Ensure governance, documentation standards, and budget planning are adhered to throughout pre-development.
• Promote a culture of adaptability, collaboration, and forward-thinking development.

Experience & Skills Required

• Demonstrable experience in mission-critical Data Centre developments, ideally on Greenfield sites.
• Strong understanding of permitting, entitlement, planning, and due diligence processes.
• Significant experience in Tier 1 European markets.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor senior teams across multiple geographies.
• Track record of collaboration with internal functions such as construction and investment.
• Executive presence and the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders across different cultures.
• Skilled in budgeting, forecasting, and supporting long-term investment decisions.
• Background with a Data Centre Operator or Hyperscaler is essential.
• High energy, flexible mindset, and a passion for innovation and growth.

Working Style & Cultural Fit

• This is a senior, autonomous role – you will manage your own travel and diary based on business needs.
• Frequent travel (~50%) across Europe is expected to support site assessments and team leadership.
• The ideal person will be ambitious, energetic, and able to lead with both humility and confidence.
• A collaborative, service-oriented leadership approach is essential – success is built around empowering those you work with and supporting broader company goals.
• This is a rare opportunity for someone ready to step into a strategic leadership role in one of the most exciting periods of data centre expansion in Europe.

Remuneration

Competitive executive package, including base salary, performance bonus, and long-term incentives.