Country Head - Data Center

Location: Spain/ Finland

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

A leading data center developer is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee country operations and drive the safe, reliable, and efficient management of mission-critical facilities. This role will lead both operational and business functions, ensuring exceptional service delivery, strong governance, financial performance, and stakeholder engagement across the local market.

Key Responsibilities

Country Leadership & Business Management

• Lead overall business operations and ensure effective execution across operational and corporate functions.
• Establish performance objectives, operating rhythms, and accountability frameworks to drive business results.
• Act as the senior local representative with customers, business partners, authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Champion operational excellence and uphold the organization's reputation within the market.

Data Center Operations & Critical Environment Management

• Lead the operational performance of one or multiple mission-critical facilities, ensuring high availability and reliability.
• Implement and maintain operational governance processes, including change management, incident management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee maintenance programs, contractor performance, asset lifecycle planning, and operational risk management.
• Support expansion projects, customer fit-outs, and capacity growth initiatives across operational sites.

Customer Operations & Service Delivery

• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through strong service delivery and operational support.
• Oversee customer onboarding, site access management, maintenance communications, and service review processes.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships while supporting commercial objectives through consistent operational performance.

Financial Management & Corporate Governance

• Manage country-level budgets, operational expenditure, and cost control initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, governance frameworks, and business policies.
• Oversee procurement activities, vendor management, contract administration, and supplier performance.
• Partner with finance teams to support accurate reporting, forecasting, and financial governance.

Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Management

• Ensure compliance with local regulations, statutory obligations, licenses, permits, and corporate governance requirements.
• Manage relationships with regulatory bodies, authorities, and key external stakeholders.
• Work closely with internal and external legal teams to manage risk, contracts, and compliance matters.

Security & Business Continuity

• Lead physical security, crisis management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity planning.
• Ensure appropriate security protocols, access controls, and site governance standards are maintained.

People Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across operations and business support functions.
• Establish clear performance expectations, succession planning, and employee development programs.
• Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide regular updates on operational performance, financial results, risks, and strategic priorities to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with regional and corporate teams across finance, legal, procurement, engineering, and operations.
• Drive initiatives that improve reliability, customer experience, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

Experience

• 10+ years of leadership experience within data centers, critical facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, or other mission-critical environments.
• Proven experience managing 24/7 operations with a strong focus on reliability, safety, and service delivery.
• Strong business management experience, including budgeting, cost control, vendor management, and operational reporting.
• Experience working with regulators, customers, utilities, suppliers, and other external stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness, leadership capability, and decision-making skills.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, highly regulated environments.
• High degree of ownership, integrity, and accountability.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline.
• MBA or other advanced qualifications are advantageous.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within a colocation, hyperscale, or mission-critical infrastructure environment.
• Experience leading country-level operations within a regional or global organization.
• Familiarity with operational governance, reliability programs, and audit readiness practices.
• Professional certifications in facilities management, critical operations, project management, or EHS.

This job description provides a general overview of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities or qualifications

Please apply with your CV or reach out for a confidential chat if interested.