Development Director

Short Description

Reports To: Senior Global Director of Development 

Company Overview: 
Colt Data Centre Services has over 20 years’ experience in designing, building and operating energy-efficient, reliable data centres - hosting significant financial, media, corporate and cloud wholesale providers across the world.
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, we endeavour to take a customer-led approach across our operations striving to serve our customers with a seamless experience no matter what facility or region they are in. Finding the right solutions for our customers starts with finding the right people for Colt DCS. We believe in creating a healthy, learning environment for our employees to flourish.
Position Summary: 

This position is responsible for two key functions in the corporate real estate company: 
•    Acquiring freehold land to develop hyperscale data centres and coordinating with other areas of the business to develop potential future opportunity for land acquisition and expansion to meet the company’s business strategy and changing market.  
•    Develop existing and newly acquired land within the APAC region centralising in Japan from initial concept and the development of the principle business case to planning and through to completion in line with the overall business strategy of rapid expansion across APAC and Europe. 
 

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities:

Development Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of all aspects of the development process for a portfolio of hyperscale data centre projects, ensuring delivery within predetermined time frames and achieving or exceeding quality, performance, and financial goals.  
- Oversee cross-functional teams across design, delivery, and procurement to successfully deliver multiple development programs to tender.  
- Provide clear leadership in determining program scope, quality, and design for projects, aligning with strategic business goals.  
- Constantly review progress, risks, and opportunities, ensuring mitigation of program risks while maintaining a strong commercial focus.  
- Monitor and promote adherence to the company’s PMO delivery process to achieve project goals efficiently.  

Management
- Take day-to-day responsibility for managing and coordinating all aspects of the development process within the region.  
- Proactively monitor political, regulatory, and competitive environments, devising strategic plans accordingly.  
- Lead the procurement of consultants and advisors, ensuring alignment with project goals and budgets.  
- Manage all project budgets, including change control, business case preparation, funding requests, and final handovers into “Colt Delivery.”  
- Drive continuous improvement by promoting innovative approaches and maintaining a focus on quality, cost-effectiveness, and risk reduction.  

Real Estate
- Lead site identification and selection in new and existing markets, aligning with the global expansion strategy.  
- Conduct detailed feasibility analyses to assess key financial metrics and development viability.  
- Negotiate site acquisitions and assess feasibility for sale and leaseback opportunities.  
- Liaise with local authorities, utility providers, and consultants to ensure successful site acquisition and development lifecycle progression.  
- Coordinate with internal teams to maximize potential from proposed developments and identify opportunities for site expansion.  
- Fully manage due diligence activities and oversee preparation of the project strategy document at the acquisition stage.  

Concept Design, Permitting, and Planning
- Lead the planning, permitting, and concept design phases, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational needs.  
- Define and deliver project design plans that meet operational, leasing, aesthetic, and budgetary requirements.  
- Secure necessary planning permissions, managing critical paths and partners to meet application requirements.  
- Monitor project programs to ensure timely delivery, optimizing speed to market.  
- Coordinate utility and fiber provisions, contracting for new services where required, in collaboration with the Global Head of Energy and Sustainability.  
- Support sales and commercial teams with customer requirements during the design stage and ensure delivery in the detailed design phase.  
- Be accountable for achieving schedule, cost, and profitability objectives while integrating permitting and planning into project timelines.  
 

Job Description

Qualifications and Skills:
•    Bachelor’s degree required. 
•    Degree preferences: Real estate, business management, construction , engineering, law. 

Experience:
- Over 15 years of progressive experience in Corporate Real Estate, including project development and program management.  
- Recent experience in global organizations with an international remit, showcasing adaptability and cross-cultural collaboration.  
- Strong multitasking abilities and proven success in meeting tight deadlines in dynamic environments.  
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, effective across organizational levels and with external suppliers.  
- Demonstrated leadership with a transparent management style, capable of working independently, in teams, and cross-functionally.  
- Expertise in real estate finance, data centre design principles, permitting, and delivery, with strong analytical and negotiation skills.  
- Innovative and strategic thinker with the ability to balance big-picture planning and tactical execution.  

Working Conditions: Colt DCS is a flexible-first company, operating in a hybrid working model.
How to Apply: Please contact (recruiter) or apply via our LinkedIn Job posting

Skills

Education