Commercial Director

JDL Recruitment; Paris; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international data centre developer in Paris seeks an experienced Commercial Director to lead the commercial function on a major hyperscale data centre campus. This senior role involves owning commercial strategy, overseeing procurement, and managing financial performance across large-scale projects. The successful candidate must have strong experience in similar projects, be fluent in French and English, and possess relevant degrees or memberships. This position offers the chance to lead a high-performing commercial team in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Commercial Director or Senior Commercial Manager.
• Experience with hyperscale data centre or mission-critical projects.
• Strong understanding of procurement and commercial strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee commercial function across the data centre campus.
• Define and drive commercial strategy for multiple projects.
• Manage procurement strategy including contract structuring.

Skills

Commercial strategy development

Contract management

Cost control

Stakeholder management

Fluent in French

Fluent in English

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

RICS membership

Job description

• A leading international data centre developer and operator is expanding its European platform and is seeking an experienced Commercial Director to lead the commercial function on a major hyperscale data centre campus just outside Paris.
• This is a senior client-side leadership role, operating across a multi-phase development with significant long-term investment and a strong pipeline of future builds.
• The successful candidate will take full ownership of commercial strategy and delivery, overseeing procurement, cost management, contract strategy, and financial performance across the full lifecycle of large-scale mission-critical projects.
• You will work closely with project leadership, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to ensure commercial success across multiple concurrent developments within a high-performance, technically complex environment.

Role Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the commercial function across a multi-phase data centre campus, from early development through to construction, commissioning and handover
• Define and drive commercial strategy across multiple projects, ensuring strong financial control and alignment with overall programme objectives
• Lead procurement strategy across major CSA and MEP packages, including contract structuring and supply chain engagement
• Manage Tier 1 contractors and key suppliers, overseeing commercial performance, reporting, and risk management
• Oversee cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting across multiple concurrent projects
• Lead on change management, claims, and high-value commercial negotiations
• Support early-stage development activities including feasibility, site selection, and investment approvals
• Work closely with project delivery, design, and executive teams to ensure alignment across programme objectives
• Build and lead a high-performing commercial team as the platform continues to scale
• Drive commercial governance, risk management, and continuous improvement across the wider programme

Requirements

• Proven experience operating at Commercial Director or Senior Commercial Manager level on large-scale construction projects
• Strong background delivering hyperscale data centre or mission-critical projects, or comparable complex infrastructure
• Experience working client-side, developer, or within a fully integrated delivery environment
• Deep understanding of commercial strategy, procurement, contract management, and cost control across full project lifecycle
• Strong experience managing Tier 1 contractors and complex supply chains
• Ability to operate at senior stakeholder level, influencing both internal leadership and external partners
• Fluent French and English required li>
• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related discipline
• Relevant professional membership such as RICS preferred