Location: Flexible – Gateshead, Edinburgh, Maidenhead or one of our Client's UK data centres.
Working pattern: Hybrid (3 days on site / 2 days from home)
About the role
With the UK’s most geographically dispersed network of data centres, our client is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the rapid growth driven by edge computing and distributed workloads. Alongside continued expansion through M&A, significant investment is being made to enhance and modernise the existing portfolio to ensure best-in-class resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.
To support this next phase of growth, we are seeking a Head of Data Centre Programme Delivery — a hands‑on leadership role with end‑to‑end accountability for the successful delivery of major capital investment programmes across the UK estate.
This role will suit a senior data centre professional with a strong background in multi‑site programme delivery, who understands the realities of live data centre environments and can translate strategy and design intent into operationally ready capacity.
Key responsibilities
* Provide strategic oversight and direction for all major data centre investment programmes, including capacity expansion, technology upgrades, infrastructure modernisation, and complex client transitions.
* Shape and manage a coherent, risk‑managed capital investment roadmap with clear governance, objectives, and outcomes.
* Lead programme execution, ensuring alignment between design, commercial priorities, and operational readiness.
* Integrate multiple delivery streams — construction, engineering, client migrations, and operational enablement — into unified, successful outcomes.
* Engage early in design stages to ensure buildability, maintainability, and whole‑life performance are embedded from the outset.
* Translate technical standards and design intent into executable delivery programmes.
* Ensure all programmes deliver fully operational environments, including documentation, testing, commissioning, and training.
* Maintain consistent governance and assurance across the programme portfolio, with strong control over risk, dependencies, and resources.
* Ensure compliance with safety, resilience, and sustainability standards throughout delivery and handover.
* Provide clear, concise reporting to senior leadership on progress, risks, costs, and outcomes.
* Manage programme budgets, forecasts, and cost performance to ensure value for money and procurement compliance.
* Lead and develop a small team of programme and project professionals, fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration, and delivery excellence.
* Act as the single point of accountability between Operations, the Office of the CTO, Commercial teams, and external delivery partners.
About you
You will bring a strong UK data centre background, with proven experience delivering complex capital programmes in live operational environments. You are comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels and are credible with technical, commercial, and operational stakeholders alike.
Key experience includes:
* Demonstrable programme management capability, supported by professional development or qualifications.
* Proven delivery of large‑scale, multi‑site data centre capital programmes, on time and within budget.
* Experience managing internal project teams and external delivery partners across multiple disciplines.
* Strong governance and assurance experience covering safety, quality, resilience, and sustainability.
* A track record of partnering effectively with design, engineering, and commercial stakeholders to align delivery with business priorities.
What’s on offer
* A supportive, people‑first environment with a genuine focus on career development, wellbeing, and work–life balance.
* A friendly, collaborative culture — with almost half of the team having 5+ years’ service.
* Competitive benefits package including:
o 5% pension contribution
o Private healthcare
o Cycle to work scheme
o Free breakfast and snacks
o Udemy licence and continuous learning support
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