Vice President – Human Resources (Data Centres)
Location: Dubai - The role is based in UAE
Global remit: USA, GCC, APAC
Why this role exists
We are building a global data centre platform from the ground up.
This is not a traditional HR role.
You will be responsible for designing and scaling the entire human infrastructure behind a high-growth, capital-intensive business operating across multiple continents.
You will work directly with executive leadership to:
* Build the organisation
* Scale technical teams globally
* Support both data centre development (build phase) and live operations (run phase)
What you will be responsible for
1. Build and scale the workforce
* Design and execute hiring strategies across the US, GCC, and APAC
* Scale teams rapidly across construction and operational environments
* Align workforce planning with active and future project pipelines
2. Design the organisation
* Build the full organisational structure across:
* Development / Construction (EPC, MEP, Civils)
* Operations (critical facilities, uptime teams)
* Corporate functions
* Define leadership layers, reporting lines, and succession plans
3. Own technical hiring strategy
You will lead hiring for mission-critical roles, including:
* Data Centre Managers
* Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (high-voltage, cooling)
* Commissioning Managers
* Critical Facilities Engineers
You will build global pipelines and understand where talent sits and how to attract it.
4. Support project delivery through workforce mobilisation
* Work closely with EPC contractors and project teams
* Manage project-based hiring and contractor workforce strategies
* Ensure manpower is aligned with build timelines and delivery milestones
5. Lead global mobility and compliance
* Build relocation and visa strategies across multiple regions
* Ensure compliance across all operating markets
6. Drive performance and retention
* Implement a performance-driven culture suited to mission-critical environments
* Retain highly specialised engineering talent in a competitive global market
7. Act as a strategic partner
* Work directly with C-suite and senior leadership
* Build and lead a high-performing global HR function
What success looks like
* You have built and scaled technical teams in high-growth, multi-country environments
* You understand the difference between building a data centre and running one
* You can mobilise large workforces quickly without compromising quality
* You are commercially aware. You understand how hiring impacts delivery, cost, and timelines
What you bring
* 15+ years HR leadership experience
* At least 10 years within data centres
* Proven experience scaling teams across multiple geographies
* Strong exposure to data centre build and/or operations environments
* Experience working with EPC contractors and project-based hiring models
* Track record of hiring and retaining highly technical engineering talent
* Experience building organisational structures from scratch
Backgrounds that fit well
* Data centre operators or hyperscale environments
* Mission-critical sectors such as power, oil & gas, or aviation
* High-growth infrastructure or engineering-led organisations
Why you should consider this
* You will build something from zero, not maintain something existing
* You will operate at executive level with real influence on business outcomes
* You will shape the workforce behind a global digital infrastructure platform
* You will work across multiple high-growth markets
Package
Competitive and aligned with global executive leadership roles.