Environmental Permitting & Compliance Manager (EMEA)
Location: London preferred (open to Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands)
Travel: ~25% (approx. two short trips per month)
Sector: Data Centres (Colocation)
The Opportunity
A fast-growing data centre operator is expanding its EHSS function and hiring their first Environmental Permitting & Compliance lead in Europe. With energy and environmental regulation becoming one of the biggest hurdles to bringing new sites online, this is a newly created role with the chance to shape how EMEA projects are delivered for years to come.
You'll be the “glue” across functions from site selection through to operations, ensuring permitting, compliance and environmental considerations are joined-up, risk-managed and executed consistently as the business scales.
This hire sits in a quickly developing EHSS team led by the VP, working directly with the US-based function and reporting to the environmental leader who currently covers both US & EMEA.
Why This Role Exists
* EMEA pipeline is accelerating and requires dedicated environmental oversight.
* Rapid regulatory change across Europe (including IED & ETS) means projects need tighter governance, early visibility of requirements and fewer handover gaps between teams.
* Historically, issues were landing in Operations late in the process — this role prevents that by driving alignment from day one.
* The business engages multiple consultancies and needs someone capable of managing them, reviewing outputs and establishing consistent processes.
What You’ll Do
* Lead environmental permitting and compliance activities across EMEA development projects.
* Oversee the full lifecycle: site selection → design → construction → commissioning → operations.
* Ensure required permits and approvals are in place before go-live, reducing project risk.
* Act as the cross-functional connector, improving handovers and creating a more predictable delivery model.
* Manage multiple external consultancy partners and provide technical oversight.
* Implement new processes and frameworks as the EHSS department continues to mature.
* Stay aligned with upcoming regulatory changes and adapt project requirements accordingly.
* Partner with regional EHS Managers (London, Frankfurt) and the US team.
What They’re Looking For
* Mid-career professional — confident, autonomous, and able to run workstreams independently.
* Background in environmental permitting, compliance, consultancy, or environmental advisory.
* Understanding of major directives such as IED and ETS (not an expert in all country regulations, but able to grasp the fundamentals).
* Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-moving, first-of-its-kind EMEA role.
* Experience in data centres, energy, heavy industry, manufacturing, utilities, or similarly regulated environments is advantageous.
* Someone motivated by shaping something new: this is the starting point for an eventual bigger European environmental function.
The Sell
* First role of its kind in Europe — real autonomy and a blank canvas to build on.
* Opportunity to influence how future EMEA sites are delivered and governed.
* Fast-growing operator where EHSS is gaining significant investment and visibility.
* Career progression baked in, as both US and EMEA teams expand.