VP Pre Development - Europe

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a well-funded, rapidly expanding data centre developer seeking an experienced VP Pre-Development to lead early-stage development and expansion activities across Europe.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual with a strong track record in identifying, securing and progressing large-scale data centre development opportunities across multiple European markets.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company's European development pipeline, leading projects from initial market assessment and site identification through land acquisition, planning, permitting and development readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead pre-development strategy and execution across multiple European markets, identifying opportunities for new hyperscale data centre developments.

• Drive site selection, land acquisition and due diligence processes, assessing technical, commercial, regulatory and infrastructure feasibility.

• Oversee planning, zoning, permitting and regulatory approval processes to progress sites towards development readiness.

• Evaluate power availability, grid connectivity, fibre infrastructure and other critical site-selection considerations.

• Build and manage relationships with landowners, local authorities, utilities, consultants and strategic partners.

• Develop investment business cases, feasibility studies, risk assessments and commercial recommendations for new development opportunities.

• Lead negotiations relating to land acquisition, development agreements and strategic partnerships.

• Work closely with investment, engineering, design and construction teams to ensure a seamless transition from pre-development into project delivery.

• Support European market entry strategies and the continued expansion of a substantial development pipeline.

• Build and lead high-performing teams and external advisory partners across multiple jurisdictions.

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience within the data centre industry, with a strong focus on early-stage development, real estate or infrastructure expansion.

• Proven experience delivering data centre development projects across multiple European countries.

• Demonstrable track record in site selection, land acquisition, planning, zoning and permitting.

• Strong understanding of European data centre markets, regulatory frameworks and development processes.

• Experience assessing power availability, grid connections and infrastructure requirements for large-scale developments.

• Commercially astute, with experience in feasibility assessments, investment appraisals and development risk management.

• Established network across the European data centre ecosystem, including developers, landowners, utilities and planning authorities.

• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and leadership capabilities.

• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on throughout the pre-development lifecycle.