Vice President - Data Centres - US

Diver5ify; United States; On-site; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive role

Direct access to leadership

Competitive compensation package

Job summary

Diver5ify is seeking a Vice President, Data Centres – US to lead the entry and rapid buildout of a US data centre business from the East Coast. You will shape market strategy, form GC/PM partnerships and drive retrofit programmes with hyperscaler relationships.

You will oversee bids, delivery and operations on initial projects, build the supply chain, and recruit a high-calibre US team, aligning with safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in construction with senior delivery/operations leadership on US data centre projects.
• Experience in data centre retrofit, upgrade or live-environment work; hyperscale new-build is a plus.
• Eligible to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Shape the US data centre strategy with leadership and guide entry into the market.
• Lead bids, delivery and operations on the first US projects and establish the supply chain.
• Build the US data centre team and partnerships, ensuring delivery is safe and compliant.

Skills

Executive leadership

US data centres

GC model knowledge

Client relationships

Education

Bachelor's in Construction/Engineering

Job description

Title: Vice President, Data Centres – US Location: Virginia / Philadelphia / US East Coast Reports to: Group Head of Data Centres Type: Permanent, full-time, executive

About the company

Our client is one of Europe's leading Tier 1 main contractors, with a long history and a strong reputation. They have delivered hyperscale data centres across Europe for some of the world's largest technology companies, and are also a leader in life sciences construction. They already have a growing US business on the East Coast and are now planning their move into the US data centre market.

To be the company's first senior data centre leader in the US. The VP will show leadership how the US GC market works, find the right way in (partnerships and the retrofit market first), and build and lead a US data centre business as the work grows.

Key responsibilities

• Advise Group leadership on how the US data centre market works: the GC model, contract and risk allocation, insurance and bonding, and the commercial norms.
• Find and set up the route into the market. That includes partnerships with GCs or PM firms, and retrofit and upgrade programmes for existing data centre clients.
• Use the Group's existing relationships with hyperscale clients to win the first US projects.
• Lead bids and pre-construction: pricing, risk review, programme and procurement strategy.
• Build a US supply chain for MEP packages, long-lead equipment and specialist trades, working with union and open-shop labour.
• Take overall responsibility for delivery and operations on US data centre projects, both retrofits in live facilities and new builds as the business grows.
• Make sure work meets OSHA standards and the company's own safety standards, especially when working inside live, operating data centres.
• Build the US data centre team over time, combining staff moving from Europe with US hires.
• Work closely with the US life sciences team and Group leadership on US growth plans.
• 15+ years in construction, with senior delivery or operations leadership on US data centre projects [confirm].
• Strong understanding of the US GC model: contracts, risk, bonding and how GCs and subcontractors work together.
• Experience in data centre retrofit, upgrade or live-environment work is highly valued. Hyperscale new-build experience is a strong plus.
• Good knowledge of the US data centre supply chain and of long-lead equipment.
• Existing relationships with hyperscalers, colocation providers, GCs and PM firms, ideally in Northern Virginia and on the East Coast.
• Happy in a build-from-scratch setting: someone who can advise as well as deliver.
• Degree in Construction Management, Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineering, or similar.
• Eligible to work in the US [confirm].

What's on offer

• An executive role leading a respected European contractor's US data centre entry from day one.
• Direct access to the Group's data centre leadership, and to existing hyperscale client relationships.
• Competitive base salary, bonus and executive benefits [package TBC].

Draft job ad (anonymised, for when the role is confirmed)

VP, Data Centres – US | Northern Virginia / East Coast

One of Europe's leading Tier 1 contractors, already trusted by some of the world's biggest hyperscalers, is entering the US data centre market. We're looking for the senior leader who will make that happen.

Our client has delivered major data centre campuses across Europe and already has a growing US presence. They are now planning their US data centre entry, starting on the East Coast with retrofit and partnership opportunities. They need a US data centre leader who knows the GC model, the risks and the supply chain inside out, and who wants to build something from the ground up.

What you'll do

• Shape the US data centre strategy with the Group's data centre leadership
• Open doors through GC and PM partnerships and retrofit programmes
• Lead bids, delivery and operations on the first US projects
• Build the supply chain and the team as the business grows

What you'll bring

• Senior delivery or operations leadership on US data centre projects
• Deep knowledge of the US GC model, risk and supply chain
• Retrofit or live-environment experience (hyperscale new-build a plus)
• Strong relationships in the Northern Virginia / East Coast market

Why this role?

A ground-floor executive role with a contractor that already has the hyperscale relationships and the European track record. You bring the US know-how.