Director of Design & Construction

Netherlands (relocation supported) | Data Center Development | Reporting to CEO

About the Company

Our client is a fast-growing regional data center platform with operations across the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Backed by strong institutional investors, the business is expanding rapidly — with multiple new developments underway and a growing focus on AI inference and high-performance compute capacity alongside its core enterprise and public-sector customer base.

The company operates a country-led model, giving local leadership full accountability for delivery and commercial performance, while design and construction is managed at group level to ensure consistency and shared expertise across markets. The culture is down-to-earth, non-hierarchical, and built around ownership, pragmatism, and direct collaboration.

Role Overview

This is a newly created, group-level leadership position responsible for design and construction across the business's international portfolio. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead a combined design and project management team, delivering data center developments that balance a standardised, scalable blueprint with the regulatory and technical realities of each local market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead group-level design and construction strategy across the business's international data center portfolio


• Manage a team including design managers and project managers, with headcount expected to grow to 5–7 people


• Oversee delivery of projects across multiple markets, including Germany and Switzerland


• Maintain a standardised, scalable design blueprint while adapting to local regulatory and technical requirements in each country


• Partner closely with country MDs, group functions, and local technical teams to ensure alignment between group design standards and local delivery


• Take ownership of design and construction quality as operational delivery is pushed further into local country teams

Experience & Requirements

• Significant experience in data center design and construction; hyperscale-only backgrounds are less suited given this platform's regional, enterprise-focused customer base


• Alternatively, a strong contractor background with substantial design experience will be considered


• Demonstrated ability to balance standardisation and blueprinting with the need to adapt to local regulatory and market requirements


• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across group functions, country leadership, and local technical teams


• An entrepreneurial, pragmatic, and collaborative approach, comfortable operating in a direct, low-politics environment


• Willingness to be based in the Netherlands (relocation support available)

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary in the region of €160,000–€170,000


• Bonus of approximately 25–40%, depending on experience


• Lease car or car allowance


• Healthcare insurance and pension


• Relocation support available for the right candidate

How to Apply

If you're interested in learning more, please get in touch with your CV — all enquiries will be treated in confidence.