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.
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