Director Data Centre Lead

• About this opportunity
• Director
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Data Centres Mission Critical
• Project Management & Cost Management
  

This is a stand out opportunity to lead Gleeds Arabia’s Mission Critical sector as Sector Director, driving the strategy, growth, and market presence with a primary focus on data centres. In this high-profile leadership role, you will shape the regional vision for Mission Critical, develop sub-sector strategies, and expand Gleeds’ footprint across the rapidly evolving mission-critical infrastructure landscape.

You will play a pivotal role in accelerating sector growth, strengthening strategic client relationships, and enhancing Gleeds’ Mission Critical portfolio. Your leadership will help deliver scalable, high-performance solutions across data centres and related mission-critical environments where uptime, resilience, speed to commissioning, and operational continuity are essential.

The role also involves overseeing the delivery of high-quality consulting services, leading key strategic initiatives, ensuring outstanding client satisfaction, and delivering against Profit & Loss (P&L) performance targets.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Vision & Strategy

Define and execute the regional Mission Critical strategy, with a primary focus on data centres, aligning with Gleeds’ global vision and Middle East priorities. Shape sector architecture, develop sub-sector strategies, and implement a repeatable go-to-market model supported by clear performance metrics across pipeline, conversion, delivery, and profitability.

Market Leadership & Growth

Position Gleeds as the partner of choice for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centre clients. Drive market expansion, secure strategic opportunities, and build partnerships that strengthen Gleeds’ presence across the Middle East mission-critical ecosystem.

Client Engagement

Develop and maintain trusted relationships with key clients and stakeholders, ensuring exceptional service delivery and long-term strategic partnerships.

Integrated Delivery

Champion collaboration across Advisory, Engineering, Sustainability, and Digital teams to deliver integrated, high-performance solutions that meet the demanding standards of mission-critical infrastructure.

Operational & Financial Performance

Oversee the delivery of high-quality consulting and engineering services while driving strong financial performance, ensuring projects meet resilience, efficiency, and sustainability requirements while achieving P&L targets.

Leadership & Innovation

Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and technical excellence. Drive innovation through emerging technologies, digital solutions, and sustainable practices to deliver future-ready mission-critical infrastructure.

Quality, Safety & Standards

Promote Gleeds’ commitment to quality, safety, and operational excellence, ensuring industry-leading standards across all mission-critical projects.

• Who we’re looking for:
  
  

Experience, Knowledge And Key Skills

• 15+ years cost management experience post qualification
• Strong technical understanding of data centre design, construction, and operations.
• Experience working within Middle East regulatory environments (UAE and/or KSA preferred)
• Extensive experience working and leading project management and cost consultancy
• Proven track record in business development, client relationship management, and P&L responsibility
• Strong knowledge of data centre infrastructure, including MEP/HVAC systems, electrical redundancy and Tier standards, Uptime Institute frameworks, cooling and energy optimisation, commissioning, and operational readiness
• Ability to motivate others (including providing support and encouragement)
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to quickly adapt to changing environments
• Demonstrable experience of timely interfacing with clients and key stakeholders at the highest level
  
  

Qualifications

• FRICS or MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, ICT/Telecoms, Fire & Life Safety or similar)
• Fluent English language, written and oral
• Arabic language desirable

• About us
  
  

A world of opportunity

Gleeds is a place to be part of something bigger. We take pride in our diverse and supportive culture that empowers you to make a difference while creating connections with brilliant people – colleagues and clients alike. Enjoy doing work that shapes our collective future, while steering your own journey in a trusting environment. Benefit from our rich heritage and global opportunities as you construct a career with purpose.

With over 76 offices across the globe, you’ll become part of a truly global team that isn’t restricted by borders. We welcome new perspectives and ideas but above all, we believe that quality relationships sit at the heart of good business. We strive to be the people that seek to understand and bring people together. Wherever we are in the world, we’re committed to the success of our people, clients and communities – giving everyone a safer and more sustainable place to live, work and thrive.

Our values underpin what we stand for and how we work:

• Professionalism with personality
• Excellence with humility
• Innovation with agility
  
  

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