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Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology to our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people in our industry; and we support them through professional growth, flexibility, and personalized benefits to manage life in and outside of work. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades, and technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, we empower you to shape a brighter way forward so you can thrive professionally and personally.
Technical Director, EMEA Data Centers
Project & Development Services (PDS)
Reporting Structure
Reports to: EMEA Head of Data Centers
Matrix reporting line: EMEA Head of Operations, PDS & Tetris
Location: London (preferred)
Direct reports: None but strong matrix on technical oversight of in country delivery teams
Collaborates With
EMEA Head of Data Centers (strategic direction, commercial ownership, client relationships)
EMEA Head of Operations, PDS & Tetris (delivery governance, resourcing, operational standards)
Country PDS Directors and market leadership teams
Client technical, engineering, and procurement leads across hyperscale and colocation accounts
MEP, commissioning, and specialist engineering partners
Ingenious platform and digital delivery teams
HSSE, Risk, and Legal functions
Role Overview
The Technical Director, EMEA Data Centers is the senior technical authority for data center project delivery across the region, responsible for ensuring that every hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data center engagement is delivered to a consistently high technical standard, on programme, and in line with client and regulatory requirements. The role provides hands-on technical leadership across live projects while building the technical capability, standards, and governance that underpin PDS's data center practice in EMEA. Working in close partnership with the EMEA Head of Data Centers on strategy and client relationships, and with the EMEA Head of Operations on delivery governance and resourcing, the Technical Director ensures technical excellence is embedded consistently across markets.
1. Technical Leadership & Standards
Own and continuously develop PDS's EMEA data center technical delivery framework, covering design review, commissioning, and handover standards
Act as the senior technical escalation point for complex engineering, MEP, and construction issues across the regional project portfolio
Set and enforce minimum technical governance standards for all data center projects, including design stage gates and quality assurance protocols
Represent PDS in technical forums, industry bodies, and standards groups relevant to hyperscale and colocation infrastructure
2. Project Delivery Excellence
Provide direct technical oversight on the region's most complex or highest-value data center projects, from feasibility through to commissioning and energization
Partner with Project Directors to identify and resolve programme, cost, and technical risk before it impacts delivery
Drive consistent application of project controls, risk registers, and technical documentation across all markets
Support recovery planning and remediation on any project falling outside agreed technical or programme tolerances
3. Client & Stakeholder Engagement
Build and maintain trusted technical relationships with client engineering, construction, and operations leadership at key hyperscale and colocation accounts
Support the EMEA Head of Data Centers in technical input to pursuits, proposals, and framework negotiations
Lead technical due diligence and lessons-learned reviews with clients following project completion
4. Sector & Technical Expertise
Maintain deep, current expertise in hyperscale and colocation data center design, construction, and commissioning methodologies
Track emerging technical requirements driven by AI infrastructure, high-density cooling, and power availability constraints across EMEA markets
Provide guidance on jurisdiction-specific regulatory, planning, and grid-connection considerations across core EMEA markets
5. Innovation & Digital Delivery
Champion adoption of the Ingenious platform and other digital delivery tools across data center projects to improve programme visibility and reporting
Identify and pilot new technologies, methods, or delivery models that improve speed-to-energization or reduce delivery risk
Partner with clients on innovation initiatives that create measurable technical or commercial value
6. Risk, Compliance & HSSE
Ensure all data center projects meet JLL and client HSSE requirements, with zero tolerance for critical safety non-compliance
Own technical risk reporting into regional governance forums, flagging material issues to the EMEA Head of Data Centers and EMEA Head of Operations
Ensure commissioning and handover documentation meets both client and regulatory audit requirements
7. Team Development & Capability Building
Build technical capability across country delivery teams through mentoring, training, and structured knowledge-sharing
Support recruitment and development of senior technical talent for the EMEA data center practice
Establish and lead a data center technical community of practice across EMEA markets
Qualifications & Experience
Degree-qualified in engineering, construction management, or a related technical discipline; chartered status (e.g. MRICS, CEng) preferred
15+ years' experience in data center design, construction, or project delivery, including significant hyperscale or colocation experience
Proven track record leading complex, multi-disciplinary technical delivery across multiple EMEA jurisdictions
Strong working knowledge of MEP systems, commissioning processes, and data center operational requirements
Experience engaging directly with hyperscale or colocation client technical and engineering leadership
Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to influence both client and internal senior leadership
Fluent English; additional European language capability an advantage
Willingness to travel extensively across EMEA markets
JLL Behaviours
The successful candidate will embody and amplify JLL's core behaviours across all activities:
Be humble — Create a compelling vision for JLL's Data Center technical excellence that motivates teams and attracts top talent
Win Together — Drive successful outcomes through effective collaboration across country teams by deepening client relationships
Simplify — Streamline complex technical delivery processes to improve client experience and operational efficiency
Be Decisive — Apply strategic focus to the highest-risk, highest-value technical challenges across the regional portfolio as a trusted team member
Be Curious — Anticipate emerging technical requirements (AI infrastructure, high-density cooling, power availability) and position JLL ahead of market shifts leading with agility
JLL is committed to hiring and developing the most talented people, reflecting the diversity of the communities in which we operate.
If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements below. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!
Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:
JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health.
About JLL –
We’re JLL—a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We have operations in over 80 countries and a workforce of over 102,000 individuals around the world who help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. As a global Fortune 500 company, we also have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility. That’s why we’re committed to our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world. We’re using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities.
Our core values of teamwork, ethics and excellence are also fundamental to everything we do and we’re honored to be recognized with awards for our success by organizations both globally and locally.
Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where we all feel welcomed, valued and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are today and where we’re headed in the future. And we know that unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation and succeed together.
