Technical Director

Description

Job Title: Technical Director, Construction - EMEA

Location: Frankfurt, London, or Paris

Department: Development & Construction

Reports to: VP Construction, EMEA

About CloudHQ:

CloudHQ is a leading developer and operator of large-scale, resilient data center campuses serving the world’s most demanding hyperscale and enterprise customers. Founded by a pioneer of the data center REIT sector, CloudHQ develops purpose-built, high-availability facilities across key global markets including Ashburn, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Osaka, and São Paulo.

As CloudHQ continues its rapid expansion across EMEA, we are seeking an experienced Technical Director, Construction to lead the technical execution of our data center developments from pre-construction through commissioning and handover.

Role Overview:

The Technical Director, Construction - EMEA is a senior owner's side leadership role responsible for ensuring the technical integrity, constructability, quality, and performance of CloudHQ’s hyperscale data center projects.

Acting as CloudHQ’s technical authority during construction, this role bridges design, engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations, ensuring that facilities are delivered in full compliance with CloudHQ’s Basis of Design (BoD), performance requirements, safety standards, and regional regulatory obligations.

The role oversees multiple concurrent projects across EMEA and works closely with internal development teams, external consultants, general contractors, and commissioning agents to deliver mission-critical infrastructure to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Owner’s Technical Leadership - Construction:

• Act as CloudHQ’s technical authority during construction, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with the approved Basis of Design, technical specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Lead technical reviews of construction-stage design deliverables, shop drawings, RFIs, and material submittals.
• Provide constructability input during pre-construction, including sequencing, logistics, temporary works, and interface management.
• Support development and design teams during early phases to de-risk construction and commissioning outcomes.

Quality Assurance, QA/QC & Risk Management:

• Establish and oversee robust QA/QC frameworks covering civil, structural, architectural, MEP, and controls systems.
• Ensure construction quality aligns with Sequence of Operations (SoO), commissioning plans, and operational readiness requirements.
• Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies across design, procurement, and construction activities.
• Lead technical issue resolution and root cause analysis for non-conformances and performance deviations.

MEP & Mission-Critical Systems Oversight:

• Provide deep technical oversight of power, cooling, life safety, controls, and BMS systems within hyperscale data center environments.
• Ensure integration between electrical, mechanical, and controls systems to achieve required resiliency, redundancy, and efficiency targets.
• Coordinate closely with commissioning agents to ensure systems are tested, validated, and handed over in line with CloudHQ standards.

Stakeholder & Contractor Management:

• Act as the primary technical interface between CloudHQ and external parties including designers, general contractors, trade contractors, vendors, and authorities having jurisdiction.
• Support project directors and construction managers in technical decision-making and escalation management.
• Influence contractor performance through technical leadership, clarity of requirements, and accountability.

Commissioning, Handover & Operational Readiness:

• Ensure technical readiness for Level 1-5 commissioning, IST, and final client acceptance.
• Verify that as-built documentation, O&M manuals, and asset data meet CloudHQ operational requirements.
• Support smooth handover to operations teams, ensuring long-term reliability and maintainability.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Drive standardization and continuous improvement across CloudHQ’s EMEA construction portfolio.
• Support value engineering initiatives that improve cost, schedule, sustainability, and operational performance without compromising quality or resiliency.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies relevant to hyperscale data centers.

Required Experience & Skills:

Technical & Industry Expertise:

• Minimum 10+ years’ experience in data center, mission-critical, or large-scale infrastructure construction.
• Proven experience in an owner’s, developer’s, or EPC technical leadership role.
• Strong understanding of hyperscale data center design, construction methodologies, and commissioning processes.
• In-depth knowledge of EMEA building codes, electrical and mechanical standards, and health & safety regulations.

Leadership & Delivery:

• Experience managing multiple complex projects across different geographies.
• Strong ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams without direct line management.
• Commercially and technically astute, with strong decision-making and problem-solving capability.

Communication:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to clearly articulate complex technical issues to senior leadership, project teams, and contractors.
• Additional European language skills are advantageous.

Mobility:

• Willingness to travel regularly across EMEA to support active construction sites.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CEng, PMP, MRICS, LEED AP, or equivalent.
• Prior experience delivering projects for hyperscale cloud providers or major colocation operators.

Disclaimer:

To be eligible, you’ll need to be based in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, or Luxembourg. The role will also involve regular travel across our sites in EMEA.

Why CloudHQ:

At CloudHQ, you will work at the forefront of global digital infrastructure development, delivering some of the most advanced hyperscale data centers in the world. This role offers the opportunity to shape technical standards, influence major capital projects, and play a key leadership role in CloudHQ’s continued growth across EMEA.