Senior Commercial & Strategy Director

Trades Workforce Solutions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data center developer is seeking a Senior Commercial & Strategy Director based in London. This pivotal role focuses on strategic planning, commercial oversight, and stakeholder engagement to shape the organization's expansion strategy. Candidates should possess proven experience above Project Director level, strong client-side backgrounds, and a track record in growth and risk management. A competitive salary of £200,000 plus a 25% bonus is on offer, along with a flexible hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working

25% bonus

Key role in shaping growth platform

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating above Project Director level in data centres or large-scale infrastructure developments.
• Strong client-side background and experience in complex European markets.
• Demonstrable experience leading growth strategy, commercial planning, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of country-level growth and expansion strategies.
• Own the commercial strategy for data centre developments.
• Lead risk identification and governance frameworks.

Skills

Commercially driven

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Client-side influence

Risk management

Job description

Senior Commercial & Strategy Director

Location: London, United Kingdom

Salary: £200,000 (plus 25% bonus)

The Opportunity

A leading data centre developer and operator is seeking three senior leaders to join its European platform in Frankfurt, Paris, and London. This is a highly strategic, client-side leadership role, positioned above Project Director level, with a clear focus on growth strategy, commercial decision-making, and risk leadership across large-scale data centre developments.

The role is not delivery-led. Instead, it is designed for a commercially astute leader who can shape markets, define long‑term development strategies, and influence major investment and growth decisions at country level.

Role Overview

Reporting directly into the Country Lead, the Senior Commercial & Strategy Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s development and expansion strategy within their assigned market. The role combines strategic planning, commercial oversight, and senior stakeholder engagement, acting as a key advisor to the country leadership team.

This position requires someone comfortable operating in a client-side, executive environment, influencing outcomes across feasibility, investment, risk, and governance rather than managing day-to-day project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Growth

• Lead the development of country-level growth and expansion strategies for large-scale data centre developments
• Create and own long‑term development roadmaps, capacity planning, and investment strategies
• Advise the Country Lead on market entry, timing, scale, and commercial positioning

Commercial Leadership

• Own the commercial strategy for data centre developments from early feasibility through to execution
• Lead financial and commercial modelling, including ROI, value optimisation, and cost‑risk trade‑offs
• Drive informed, client-side decision-making aligned with wider European objectives

Risk & Governance

• Lead risk identification, mitigation, and scenario planning across the development portfolio
• Provide senior oversight of key development risks including planning, land, power, supply chain, and programme
• Ensure strong governance frameworks are embedded from concept through delivery

Senior Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a senior external-facing representative, engaging with clients, investors, partners, and authorities
• Influence and align internal stakeholders across development, delivery, finance, legal, and operations
• Operate credibly at executive and board level, shaping strategic discussions and outcomes

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Proven experience operating above Project Director level within:
  • Data centres
  • Mission‑critical infrastructure
  • Large-scale, capital-intensive real estate or infrastructure developments
• Strong client-side background (developer, operator, investor, or senior advisory role)
• Demonstrable experience leading growth strategy, commercial planning, and risk management
• Experience working within complex European markets; experience in Germany, France, or the UK preferred

Key Skills & Attributes

• Highly commercially driven with strong financial and strategic acumen
• Comfortable shaping strategy rather than managing delivery teams
• Able to influence without direct authority in a matrix environment
• Executive presence with confidence engaging at C‑suite and board level
• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, outcome-focused mindset

What’s on Offer

• Base salary circa £200,000
• 25% bonus
• Flexible hybrid working (3–4 days on site)
• Opportunity to play a key role in shaping a European data centre growth platform