Director, Data Center Development and Construction

Director, Data Center Development & Construction

Richmond, VA | Owner/Developer Side | Mission Critical Infrastructure

Some construction leaders deliver projects.

Others influence the decisions that determine whether those projects succeed long before a shovel hits the ground.

This opportunity is for the latter.

Our client is an established and rapidly expanding data center developer and owner delivering large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure across the United States. With significant investment behind them and an ambitious growth strategy, they are creating campuses that will support the next generation of cloud, AI, and digital infrastructure. The role spans development, design, commercial management, and construction delivery, offering true end-to-end ownership of major projects.

They are now looking to appoint a Director of Data Center Development & Construction to lead major developments across Virginia, with an immediate focus on high-profile projects in the Richmond area.

Why this opportunity stands out

• Join the owner/developer side and influence projects from site acquisition through to operational handover.
• Play a strategic role across development, entitlement, design management, construction, contracts, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead large, technically complex infrastructure projects that have a lasting impact on one of the fastest-growing sectors in the market.
• Work directly with executive leadership, consultants, contractors, capital partners, and public agencies, with genuine visibility and influence.
• Be part of a business in growth mode, creating long-term leadership and progression opportunities as new campuses are brought online.
• Enjoy the variety of shaping projects from concept through execution, rather than focusing solely on construction delivery.

What you'll be doing

• Leading major data center and mission-critical developments through the full project lifecycle.
• Managing entitlement activities, permitting strategies, consultant coordination, and development planning.
• Overseeing design, procurement, budgeting, scheduling, commercial management, and construction execution.
• Collaborating with engineering teams, general contractors, utilities, capital partners, and local authorities.
• Driving project performance through proactive risk management, reporting, and stakeholder communication.
• Providing leadership across multidisciplinary teams while ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

What they're looking for

• 10 years' experience delivering data center, mission-critical, industrial, or other technically complex construction projects.
• Exposure to both project development and construction delivery, ideally within an owner, developer, EPC, or major contractor environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing contracts, budgets, procurement, and project controls.
• A track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating complex stakeholder groups.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments where strategic thinking and hands-on leadership are equally important.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels.

Previous hyperscale experience is advantageous but not essential. Candidates with strong backgrounds in mission-critical facilities, advanced manufacturing, industrial megaprojects, healthcare, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, or other large-scale technical infrastructure are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

• Richmond, VA
• Primarily site-based role with regular collaboration across project stakeholders
• Competitive compensation package plus bonus.
• Significant long-term career progression as the organisation continues to expand its national portfolio

If you're looking for an opportunity to step into a role where you can influence strategy as much as execution—and help shape landmark infrastructure projects from inception through delivery—I’d welcome a confidential conversation.