Sector Lead – Data Centres (Consultancy)

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a senior construction professional to lead the data centres sector for a market-leading consultancy. This role will suit an experienced leader from a consultancy background who has a strong track record delivering data centre projects and is ready to take ownership of a high-profile, fast-growing sector.

You will set the strategic direction, lead major programmes, and grow a high-performing team delivering hyperscale new builds, large-scale expansions and live-environment upgrades, supporting AI, cloud and high-density compute at scale.

The Opportunity

As Sector Lead – Data Centres, you will have overall responsibility for the consultancy’s data centre portfolio, working with blue-chip clients across the UK and Europe. This is a highly visible leadership role with direct impact on client outcomes, sector growth and business performance.

You will provide sector expertise, lead key commissions, and shape best practice in the delivery of complex, mission-critical assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the data centres sector for the consultancy, setting strategy, driving growth and strengthening market position
• Provide full lifecycle leadership across programmes – from strategy, feasibility and site selection through design management, procurement, construction and commissioning
• Oversee complex, high-value data centre projects (hyperscale, colocation, enterprise), ensuring delivery to programme, budget and performance requirements Lead power-led decision making, including grid connection, on-site generation, renewables/PPAs and resilience strategies
• Shape sustainability pathways, including embodied and operational carbon, water use and circularity in data centre design and delivery
• Establish and run robust programme governance and controls (schedule, risk, cost, change), supported by data-driven reporting and PMO capability
• Develop commercial and supply chain strategies, including packaging, market engagement and contract formation (NEC/JCT/FIDIC)
• Lead stakeholder engagement across clients, operators, JV partners, utilities and mission-critical vendors, protecting live operations and SLAs
• Build, coach and line-manage a growing team (Senior PM / Associate Director level), fostering a high-performance, solutions-focused culture

About You

You will be a proven senior leader from a consultancy (or similar professional services) background, with significant experience in the delivery of data centre or mission-critical projects.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Degree (or equivalent) in a construction-related discipline (Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil/MEP Engineering or similar)
• Strong track record delivering data centre projects for a consultancy, client/developer or Tier 1 contractor, ideally including hyperscale or large colocation schemes
• In-depth understanding of power, cooling, scalability, fit-out phasing and commissioning in live, mission-critical environments
• Demonstrable commercial acumen, including procurement strategy, cost planning, contract management and change control on complex, multi-package programmes
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to make clear, well-judged decisions at pace
• Comfortable operating at senior client level, with a track record of building long-term relationships and repeat business
• Digital fluency in programme controls, reporting tools and common data environments

What’s on Offer

• Salary Confidential, DOE
• High-impact sector leadership role within a nationally recognised data centre team
• Portfolio spanning new build, expansion and modernisation projects across the UK and Europe
• Clear route to broader regional or sector leadership, supported by strong digital, technical and PMO capability
• Hybrid working with a base in Leeds or Manchester, and the opportunity to work with leading clients in a rapidly expanding market

Confidential Enquiries

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact:

Caroline Kingsley 📞 07768 381 831 ✉️ caroline@kingsleyrecruitment.co.uk 🔗 Arrange a call: https://calendly.com/caroline-200/15min