VP Pre Development - Europe

The Opportunity We are partnering with a well-funded, rapidly expanding data centre developer seeking an experienced VP Pre-Development to lead early-stage development and expansion activities across Europe. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual with a strong track record in identifying, securing and progressing large-scale data centre development opportunities across multiple European markets. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company's European development pipeline, leading projects from initial market assessment and site identification through land acquisition, planning, permitting and development readiness. Key Responsibilities Lead pre-development strategy and execution across multiple European markets, identifying opportunities for new hyperscale data centre developments. Drive site selection, land acquisition and due diligence processes, assessing technical, commercial, regulatory and infrastructure feasibility. Oversee planning, zoning, permitting and regulatory approval processes to progress sites towards development readiness. Evaluate power availability, grid connectivity, fibre infrastructure and other critical site-selection considerations. Build and manage relationships with landowners, local authorities, utilities, consultants and strategic partners. Develop investment business cases, feasibility studies, risk assessments and commercial recommendations for new development opportunities. Lead negotiations relating to land acquisition, development agreements and strategic partnerships. Work closely with investment, engineering, design and construction teams to ensure a seamless transition from pre-development into project delivery. Support European market entry strategies and the continued expansion of a substantial development pipeline. Build and lead high-performing teams and external advisory partners across multiple jurisdictions. Experience & Requirements Minimum 5 years' experience within the data centre industry , with a strong focus on early-stage development, real estate or infrastructure expansion. Proven experience delivering data centre development projects across multiple European countries . Demonstrable track record in site selection, land acquisition, planning, zoning and permitting. Strong understanding of European data centre markets, regulatory frameworks and development processes. Experience assessing power availability, grid connections and infrastructure requirements for large-scale developments. Commercially astute, with experience in feasibility assessments, investment appraisals and development risk management. Established network across the European data centre ecosystem, including developers, landowners, utilities and planning authorities. Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and leadership capabilities. Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on throughout the pre-development lifecycle.