Head of Development - Data Center

Taylor Hopkinson | Powered by Brunel; Italia; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Hopkinson | Powered by Brunel is seeking a Head of Development – Data Centres in Italy to lead the technical development of large-scale data centre projects, including hyperscale campuses.

You will own the development strategy and drive design, permitting, and grid connection activities. Reporting to the executive team, you will oversee external engineering partners and manage internal specialists to ensure bankable, commercially viable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering (Electrical or Mechanical) required.
• Proven experience leading hyperscale data centre projects (50 MW+).
• Strong hands-on experience with high-voltage grid connections and permitting in Europe (Italy favorable).
• Excellent stakeholder management with senior public officials and utilities.

Responsibilities

• Define the development strategy for each site, including capacity, power, grid connections, BESS, master planning and permitting timelines.
• Oversee external engineering and design consultants, define technical requirements and review design deliverables.
• Lead relationships with Terna and DSOs, manage high-voltage grid connection activities and permitting processes.
• Prepare projects for Ready-to-Build sales, lead technical due diligence with hyperscalers and investors, ensure bankability.
• Build and grow the internal technical team and manage external consultants.
• Represent the company with the CEO in discussions with public authorities, utilities and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Data center dev

Grid connections

Permitting

Owner-side exp

Education

Engineering degree

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.