Head of AI Data Centre Deployment & Operations

asobbi; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Potential equity

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Head of AI DC Deployment & Operations to oversee the development of national datacenter facilities in the UK. This role is crucial for translating strategic site plans into successful operational sites, ensuring compliance and quality throughout the deployment lifecycle. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in datacenter deployment and a proven track record in managing high-spec projects.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in datacenter deployment.
• Proven track record in delivering Tier 2–4 DCs or high-spec industrial projects.
• Deep knowledge of UK utility processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of AI datacenter sites across the UK.
• Manage contractors and ensure compliance with planning conditions.
• Coordinate infrastructure utility delivery in line with deployment requirements.
• Coordinate infrastructure utility delivery (power, fibre) in line with GPU deployment requirements and cooling solutions.
• Oversee handoff to operations: deliver fully commissioned, rack-ready sites with standardised MOPs/SOPs.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, ESG, and customer service teams to align infrastructure delivery with platform and service readiness.
• Implement risk management and site governance processes to ensure timeline, budget, and quality targets are achieved.
• Report on deployment progress, risks, and key metrics to senior leadership.

Skills

Datacenter deployment

Contractor relationship management

Strategic infrastructure planning

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Risk management

SLA compliance

Job description

Head of AI DC Deployment & Operations

Job Title: Head of DC Deployment & Operations

Location: UK – Hybrid with on-site responsibilities

Reports To: Chief Energy & Infrastructure Officer

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking a Head of AI DC Deployment & Operations to lead the development, delivery, and activation of a national datacenter footprint. This individual will be responsible for translating site strategy into execution — overseeing end-to-end delivery of AI-ready facilities that form the physical foundation of sovereign AI infrastructure in the UK. From civil works and utility provisioning to environmental compliance and operations readiness, this role is crucial to ensuring that every site is brought online on time, within budget, and to spec — ready to host high-performance compute and AI workloads. The successful candidate will also guide the transition from buildout to operational readiness, ensuring that long-term resilience and SLA compliance are designed in from day one.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of AI datacenter sites across the UK — from site preparation to commissioning.
• Manage principal contractors, civil engineering firms, fibre and power vendors, and local authorities throughout the build lifecycle.
• Ensure site-level compliance with planning conditions, ESG goals, and data sovereignty standards.
• Coordinate infrastructure utility delivery (power, fibre) in line with GPU deployment requirements and cooling solutions.
• Oversee handoff to operations: deliver fully commissioned, rack-ready sites with standardised MOPs/SOPs.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, ESG, and customer service teams to align infrastructure delivery with platform and service readiness.
• Implement risk management and site governance processes to ensure timeline, budget, and quality targets are achieved.
• Report on deployment progress, risks, and key metrics to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in datacenter deployment.
• Proven track record delivering Tier 2–4 DCs or high-spec industrial/utility projects across multiple jurisdictions.
• Deep knowledge of UK utility processes: power connection, fibre routing, substation commissioning.
• Familiarity with high-density rack design, liquid cooling infrastructure, backup systems, and grid interactions.
• Ability to manage contractor relationships, enforce build standards, and drive schedule adherence.
• Skilled in translating strategic infrastructure goals into practical site activation plans.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with AI/ML or HPC infrastructure delivery, including GPU-dense or carbon-aware compute environments.
• Exposure to off-grid, renewable, or hybrid energy systems in datacenter applications.
• Understanding of ESG requirements in infrastructure development and carbon credit alignment.
• Previous work across UK and Ireland permitting/planning frameworks.
• Competitive compensation
• Potential equity

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.