The Company
The Shore Group have been appointed on behalf of a purpose-led and people-first M&E Design Consultancy. Our client is recognised as one of London’s leading independently owned practices in sustainable building services.
With 25 years of demonstrated expertise and consistent performance across commercial, residential, PBSA and various other sectors, the business is built around deep technical knowledge, practical and sustainable MEP design, and commercially viable solutions.
With headquarters in Central London, and technical support in offices overseas, our client prides itself on being a small, tight-knit, boutique-style business, supported by a team of specialist engineers.
The Role
Our client is seeking to launch a dedicated Data Centre Division, in response to growing demands in the Mission-Critical Sector. It is their ambition to carve out a competitive position in this rapidly expanding space with the support of this integral hire.
As Head of Data Centres, with the support of the directors you will have full autonomy to build, lead and shape this new team vertically from the ground up – securing clients, driving strategy, delivering technically excellent work, and growing a capable team around you. Reporting directly to the board, you will be empowered to lead and influence at the highest level.
Key Responsibilities
* Create and implement a 2-year strategic business plan for the new division.
* Win work through existing industry contacts, technical credibility and commercial ability.
* Lead end-to-end project delivery using a combination of internal and external engineering resources.
* Lead the recruitment strategy between permanent and temporary support from existing connections and base on workload.
* Oversee technical and commercial operations with budgetary control, subject to board approval.
* Champion regulatory compliance, certifications and sustainability within Data Centre designs (BREEAM, Passivhaus, WELL etc).
* Represent the company as a technical and thought leader in the Data Centre space.
* Recruit, mentor and retain top talent as the division grows – with support from the wider existing team.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for a rare breed of leader who thrives in lean, high-trust environments. It is suited to someone who wants influence, accountability and a stake in shaping something extremely significant.
Suitable Candidates Will Be:
* Currently employed at an established M&E Design Consultancy with a strong reputation in the Data Centre sector OR
* Working within a Data Centre Contractor organisation that has an in-house design team OR
* Serving at a Data Centre Developer who also maintains an in-house design team OR
* An End User Client Side professional with hands-on experience in Mechanical and Electrical design
Suitable Candidates Will Have:
* An established network of connections in the sector who will provide work winning opportunities.
* Proven technical credibility in the Mission Critical sector – design, engineering, commissioning and compliance.
* Demonstrated ability to obtain and oversee Data Centre projects throughout their full lifecycle.
* A deep understanding of infrastructure systems, climate risk modelling and emissions performance.
* Hands-on experience with Trimble, Dialux and Excel-based planning tools.
* An entrepreneurial mindset with commercial acumen – proven capability having won and delivered work in this industry.
* The ability to lead both operationally and strategically – making decisions and owning outcomes.
* A track record of building or growing a business unit/division.
Suitable Candidates Might Be
* A strong #2 in a larger corporate environment, ready to step up and shape their own future in a new exciting role.
* Someone frustrated by bureaucracy, eager to lead a business unit and work in a high-trust model.
* Passionate about sustainable, high-performance environments but also commercially driven.
Compensation and Perks
* Market-competitive salary and bonus structure subject to agreement.
* A stake in a growing, employee-owned company – potential share options converted upon meeting targets.
* Real autonomy and decision-making authority.
* The chance to create a market-disrupting division from the ground up.
* Assistance from the board and support from a seasoned multi-disciplinary team.
Why Now?
The Data Centre market is booming. Sustainability, performance and resilience have never been more important - and our client is perfectly placed to become a serious challenger. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to lead a division, make your mark and help shape the future of sustainable digital infrastructure with a trusted boutique consultancy