Head of Development - Data Centres

Taylor Hopkinson; Valencia; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Hopkinson is seeking a Head of Development - Data Centres to lead the technical development of large-scale data centre projects in Italy, including hyperscale campuses. This senior role requires strong ownership experience and the ability to manage external design partners and internal teams.

You will define development strategy, oversee engineering partners, and ensure projects are technically robust and bankable for hyperscalers, investors and tenants.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in Electrical or Mechanical engineering.
• Experience leading hyperscale data centre projects 50 MW+.
• Hands-on experience with high-voltage grid connections and permitting in Italy or elsewhere in Europe.
• Fluency in Italian and English.

Responsibilities

• Define development strategy for each site, including capacity planning, power supply, grid connections, BESS, master planning and permitting timelines.
• Oversee external engineering and design consultants, define technical requirements, review design deliverables and ensure compliance with hyperscaler standards, costs and schedules.
• Lead technical relationships with Terna and DSOs, oversee high-voltage grid connection activities and coordinate environmental and building permitting processes.
• Prepare projects for Ready-to-Build (RTB) sales and partnerships, lead technical due diligence with hyperscalers and investors, and ensure projects meet bankability requirements.
• Build the internal technical team over time and manage external consultants and engineering partners.
• Represent the company alongside the CEO in discussions with public authorities, utilities, regulators and other institutional stakeholders.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Technical leadership

Project development

Education

Engineering degree (Electrical/Mechanical)

Job description

Taylor Hopkinson is supporting the selection of a Head of Development - Data Centres to lead the technical development of large-scale data centre projects in Italy, including hyperscale campuses. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced data centre professional with a strong technical background and proven owner-side or developer-side experience. The successful candidate will take ownership of the development strategy, oversee external design and engineering partners, and ensure projects are technically robust, commercially viable and attractive to hyperscale operators, investors and tenants.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the development strategy for each site, including capacity planning, power supply, grid connections, BESS, master planning and permitting timelines.
• Oversee external engineering and design consultants, define technical requirements, review design deliverables and ensure compliance with hyperscaler standards, costs and schedules.
• Lead technical relationships with Terna and DSOs, oversee high-voltage grid connection activities and coordinate environmental and building permitting processes.
• Prepare projects for Ready-to-Build (RTB) sales and partnerships, lead technical due diligence with hyperscalers and investors, and ensure projects meet bankability requirements.
• Build the internal technical team over time and manage external consultants and engineering partners.
• Represent the company alongside the CEO in discussions with public authorities, utilities, regulators and other institutional stakeholders.

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, preferably Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven experience in the data centre industry, including leadership of one or more hyperscale projects of 50 MW or above, ideally covering development, design and delivery.
• Strong hands-on experience with high-voltage grid connections and permitting processes in Italy or elsewhere in Europe.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage senior public officials, utility executives and other high-level decision-makers.
• Fluency in both Italian and English.