Job Description

Technical Director – Data Centres

Technical Director – Data Centres

Lead the Delivery of Mission-Critical Data Centre Infrastructure

As demand for digital infrastructure continues to accelerate across the UK and internationally, we are seeking a Technical Director – Data Centres to join our Architecture team in London, Newark or Birmingham. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Architect with extensive data centre expertise who can provide technical leadership, drive business growth and lead the delivery of complex, large-scale mission-critical developments.

Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the technical excellence, strategic growth and client relationships that underpin our expanding data centre portfolio. If you are passionate about delivering technically demanding projects, developing high-performing teams and influencing the future of digital infrastructure, this represents an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Purpose and Scope of the Role

As Technical Director, you will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle of data centre projects, from early-stage strategy, site due diligence and bid development through to detailed design, technical assurance and project delivery. You will lead multidisciplinary teams in the successful delivery of complex developments, ensuring designs achieve the highest standards of quality, performance, compliance and client satisfaction.

The role combines technical excellence with business leadership. You will support the growth of the Architecture practice through client engagement, work winning, strategic planning and team development, while maintaining oversight of project performance, commercial outcomes and technical delivery standards. Working closely with senior leaders across the business, you will help shape the future direction of our data centre offering and strengthen our position within this rapidly growing sector.

Your Impact in this Position

Your leadership will directly influence the successful delivery of major mission-critical facilities that support the UK's growing digital economy. You will provide technical guidance to project teams, foster trusted client relationships and contribute to the strategic development of the Architecture business.

You will be responsible for ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, profitably and to an exceptional technical standard, while supporting the growth and development of colleagues across the team. Through your industry knowledge, market awareness and professional network, you will help identify opportunities, secure new business and strengthen our reputation as a trusted adviser within the data centre sector.

Core Capabilities

Technical Leadership in Data Centre Design

You will bring substantial experience in the design and delivery of co-location, hyperscale and mission-critical data centre developments, together with a deep understanding of the operational, technical and regulatory requirements that govern these facilities. You will provide technical leadership across complex projects, ensuring architectural solutions are practical, coordinated and aligned with client objectives. A thorough appreciation of resilience, security, operational efficiency, sustainability and buildability considerations is essential.

Experience undertaking site due diligence, campus masterplanning and leading projects from concept and schematic design through to detailed design, construction documentation and construction-stage support will be highly valued. You will have a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary design teams through all project stages while maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence.

Project Delivery and Technical Assurance

You will oversee the successful delivery of projects from bid stage through to completion, ensuring programmes, budgets and quality standards are achieved. Working collaboratively with planning, permitting, civil and structural engineering, MEP, security, fire engineering, CDM and Building Safety Act specialists, you will provide technical oversight, resolve complex design challenges and ensure robust project governance.

Your experience managing risk, reviewing technical outputs and maintaining compliance with statutory, industry and client requirements will be central to maintaining delivery excellence across both new-build facilities and major refurbishment programmes.

Business Development and Market Growth

You will actively contribute to the growth of the data centre sector by identifying opportunities, developing client relationships and supporting strategic business development initiatives. You will lead major proposals, bid submissions and client presentations, contribute market intelligence and support business planning activities.

Your ability to build credibility with clients and establish trusted advisor status will be instrumental in securing new opportunities and strengthening long-term partnerships. You will play a key role in expanding our market presence and supporting the continued growth of our data centre portfolio.

Leadership, Mentoring and Team Development

You will provide visible leadership across the Architecture team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture. Through mentoring, coaching and technical guidance, you will support the development of colleagues at all levels while helping to attract, retain and nurture talent within the business.

You will promote knowledge sharing, professional growth and continuous improvement, while establishing and maintaining high technical standards across the team. Your leadership will help ensure teams are equipped to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients and projects.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

Exceptional communication and presentation skills will enable you to engage effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, senior stakeholders and internal teams. You will confidently lead technical discussions, design reviews, workshops and presentations, articulating complex concepts clearly and persuasively.

Your ability to build strong professional relationships and influence decision-making will be key to successful project and business outcomes, while fostering effective collaboration across disciplines and business units.

Commercial Awareness and Strategic Thinking

You will demonstrate strong commercial acumen and understand the relationship between technical decisions, project performance and business success. You will support fee proposals, resource planning, financial forecasting and project governance activities, ensuring work is delivered efficiently and profitably.

Your strategic mindset will enable you to contribute to wider business objectives, make informed business decisions and identify opportunities for innovation, growth and operational improvement within the data centre sector.

Mandatory Requirements

You will be a qualified Architect, ideally Chartered, with extensive post-qualification experience in the design and delivery of co-location, hyperscale and mission-critical data centre developments.

You will possess a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, managing major projects and developing strategic client relationships. Strong business development, technical leadership and client management capabilities are essential, alongside excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

You will demonstrate commercial awareness, strategic thinking and the ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced consulting environment. Experience leading proposals, bid pursuits and work-winning activities within the data centre sector is highly desirable. A willingness to travel as required is expected.

Desirable Experience

Experience contributing to strategic business planning, sector growth initiatives and major bid submissions will be advantageous.

Knowledge of sustainable design principles, digital delivery processes, BIM workflows and emerging technologies within the data centre sector will further enhance your ability to lead successful project outcomes.

Experience working with international clients and large-scale mission-critical infrastructure programmes, including hyperscale campus developments, would also be beneficial.

Why Join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients' most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

#LI-RA1 #LI-HYBRID

Why
join Tetra Tech?

Tetra
Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working
across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range
of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network
with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where
we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports
individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We
support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international
projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the
UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who
are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex
problems.

In
alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to
support candidates and
employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include
adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace.
Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process
or in your day-to-day role.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.