VP Pre Development - Europe

CSG Talent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

CSG Talent partners with a well-funded data centre developer to recruit a VP Pre-Development to spearhead early-stage development and expansion across Europe. The role concentrates on identifying and progressing large-scale opportunities across multiple markets, shaping the European development pipeline from market assessment through development readiness.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams, manage land acquisition, planning, permitting and regulatory processes, and build

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in data centre development or related fields.
• Proven track record in site selection, land acquisition, planning and permitting across Europe.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks applicable to large scale development.
• Experience building and managing relationships with landowners, utilities and authorities.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on leadership across pre-development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-development strategy across multiple European markets for hyperscale data centres.
• Drive site selection, land acquisition and due diligence including feasibility assessments.
• Oversee planning, zoning, permitting and regulatory approvals to enable development readiness.
• Evaluate power, grid connectivity and fibre infrastructure requirements for large sites.
• Build relationships with landowners, utilities, consultants and strategic partners.
• Develop investment cases, feasibility studies and development risk assessments.
• Lead negotiations for land acquisition and development agreements.
• Coordinate with investment, engineering, design and construction teams for smooth transition to delivery.
• Support market-entry strategies and expansion of the development pipeline.
• Lead high-performing teams and external advisory partners across jurisdictions.

Skills

Data centre development

Site acquisition

Planning & permitting

Regulatory understanding

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Job description

The Opportunity We are partnering with a well-funded, rapidly expanding data centre developer seeking an experienced VP Pre-Development to lead early-stage development and expansion activities across Europe. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual with a strong track record in identifying, securing and progressing large-scale data centre development opportunities across multiple European markets. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company's European development pipeline, leading projects from initial market assessment and site identification through land acquisition, planning, permitting and development readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead pre-development strategy and execution across multiple European markets, identifying opportunities for new hyperscale data centre developments.
• Drive site selection, land acquisition and due diligence processes, assessing technical, commercial, regulatory and infrastructure feasibility.
• Oversee planning, zoning, permitting and regulatory approval processes to progress sites towards development readiness.
• Evaluate power availability, grid connectivity, fibre infrastructure and other critical site-selection considerations.
• Build and manage relationships with landowners, local authorities, utilities, consultants and strategic partners.
• Develop investment business cases, feasibility studies, risk assessments and commercial recommendations for new development opportunities.
• Lead negotiations relating to land acquisition, development agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Work closely with investment, engineering, design and construction teams to ensure a seamless transition from pre-development into project delivery.
• Support European market entry strategies and the continued expansion of a substantial development pipeline.
• Build and lead high-performing teams and external advisory partners across multiple jurisdictions.

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience within the data centre industry , with a strong focus on early-stage development, real estate or infrastructure expansion.
• Proven experience delivering data centre development projects across multiple European countries .
• Demonstrable track record in site selection, land acquisition, planning, zoning and permitting.
• Strong understanding of European data centre markets, regulatory frameworks and development processes.
• Experience assessing power availability, grid connections and infrastructure requirements for large-scale developments.
• Commercially astute, with experience in feasibility assessments, investment appraisals and development risk management.
• Established network across the European data centre ecosystem, including developers, landowners, utilities and planning authorities.
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on throughout the pre-development lifecycle.