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Operations Director Data Centres New - Job Opportunity at Goodman

Paris, France

Full-time

Executive

Posted: June 14, 2025

Hybrid

€180,000 - €250,000 per year plus significant equity participation and performance bonuses, reflecting the executive nature of this role, the greenfield opportunity, and the premium for data center expertise in major European markets

Benefits

Opportunity to lead and build a European operations team from the ground up in a greenfield environment, providing exceptional career development and leadership experience

Direct reporting relationship to the European CEO, ensuring high-level strategic involvement and executive visibility

Extensive international travel opportunities (40-50% Europe, occasional global) for professional development and market exposure

Position at the forefront of next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure development across major European markets

Leadership role in establishing world-class data center operations standards and reputation

Involvement in strategic business development initiatives and client relationship management at executive level

Opportunity to drive sustainability initiatives aligned with environmental commitments and industry best practices

Professional development through industry certifications and continuous learning in rapidly evolving data center technologies

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive operational strategy for Goodman's European data centre portfolio, directly impacting multi-billion dollar infrastructure investments and market positioning

Build and lead high-performing European leadership teams across multiple locations, establishing organizational culture and operational excellence standards that will define the company's regional success

Drive strategic initiatives in partnership with executive leadership to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities in the rapidly expanding European data center market

Ensure industry-leading uptime and reliability standards across all European facilities, directly impacting client satisfaction and revenue retention for enterprise customers

Establish and optimize operational processes and emergency response protocols that ensure business continuity and risk mitigation for critical digital infrastructure

Oversee critical infrastructure management including power, cooling, security, and connectivity systems that support the digital economy across major European cities

Lead budgeting processes and financial management for European operations, optimizing resource allocation and cost management to support strategic business objectives

Implement comprehensive risk management frameworks and business continuity planning to ensure resilience of mission-critical data center operations

Act as primary operational contact for key enterprise customer accounts, managing relationships that directly impact revenue and business growth

Develop and implement sustainability strategies that position Goodman as an industry leader in environmental responsibility and green technology adoption

Ensure comprehensive health and safety compliance across all facilities while building a culture of safety excellence and regulatory adherence

Partner with cross-functional teams including Development, Construction, Investment, and Asset Management to optimize facility performance and long-term value creation

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field required; Master's degree in Business Administration or related field preferred

Experience

15+ years of progressive experience in data centre operations or related technical infrastructure management; 10+ years in senior leadership roles, with demonstrated experience managing large-scale operations across multiple locations

Required Skills

Deep experience in data center operations, including design, construction, project management, and operational readiness Technical expertise in data centre infrastructure, including mechanical, electrical, and cooling systems Strategic vision and hands-on execution capabilities Strong knowledge of industry standards, compliance requirements, and best practices Excellent leadership and team development capabilities Superior project management and problem-solving skills Strong financial acumen and experience with budget management Experience working with enterprise clients and managing complex stakeholder relationships Proven track record of successfully scaling operations in high-growth environments Fluent in English; additional European languages are advantageous

Certifications

Relevant industry certifications (e.g., Uptime Institute, CDCP) are valuable

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The European data center market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by digital transformation, cloud adoption, and the emergence of AI workloads, with market size expected to reach $65 billion by 2028. This growth is particularly concentrated in major hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, and London, where Goodman is strategically positioning itself. Sustainability and ESG compliance have become critical differentiators in the data center industry, with major hyperscale clients increasingly requiring green energy commitments and carbon neutrality targets from their infrastructure partners. This trend is driving significant investment in renewable energy integration and efficient cooling technologies. The rise of edge computing and AI infrastructure is reshaping data center design and operational requirements, with increased focus on low-latency connectivity, specialized cooling for high-density computing, and enhanced security protocols. Organizations are seeking operators who can deliver next-generation infrastructure capabilities. Regulatory compliance complexity is increasing across European markets, with GDPR, energy efficiency directives, and local planning restrictions requiring sophisticated operational expertise and local market knowledge to navigate successfully.

Role Significance

Initially responsible for building teams from zero, with expectation to scale to 150-200+ operational staff across multiple European locations within 3-5 years, including site managers, technical specialists, and support functions

This is a C-suite level position with direct CEO reporting relationship and full P&L responsibility for European operations, representing a critical strategic hire for Goodman's continental expansion and market positioning in the multi-billion dollar European data center sector

Key Projects

Establishment of operational excellence frameworks across 13 major international cities Development and implementation of enterprise-grade SLA management systems for hyperscale clients Design and execution of sustainability initiatives including renewable energy integration and carbon reduction programs Strategic client onboarding and relationship management for Fortune 500 enterprise accounts Cross-border regulatory compliance and risk management program development

Success Factors

Ability to rapidly scale operations while maintaining world-class reliability and uptime standards, as any operational failures in data center environments can result in millions of dollars in client losses and permanent reputation damage Strategic relationship building capabilities with enterprise clients, regulatory bodies, and vendor partners across diverse European markets, requiring cultural sensitivity and local market expertise Financial acumen and budget management skills to optimize operational efficiency while supporting aggressive growth targets in a capital-intensive industry Change management and organizational development expertise to build high-performing teams and establish operational culture from the ground up Technical depth in data center infrastructure combined with strategic vision to anticipate and prepare for next-generation technology requirements including AI and edge computing workloads

Market Demand

Extremely high demand with limited supply of qualified candidates, as the intersection of data center operational expertise, European market knowledge, and executive leadership capabilities represents a scarce skill set in a rapidly expanding market

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Data center operational expertise is absolutely essential as this role requires deep technical knowledge of power, cooling, and connectivity systems that support mission-critical digital infrastructure. Any operational failures can result in significant financial losses and permanent damage to client relationships. Executive leadership and team building capabilities are crucial for scaling operations from zero to full continental coverage, requiring the ability to attract top talent, establish organizational culture, and maintain operational excellence during rapid growth phases. Financial management and P&L responsibility skills are vital for managing multi-million dollar operational budgets, optimizing resource allocation, and demonstrating ROI to executive leadership and board members in a capital-intensive industry. Enterprise client relationship management expertise is critical for maintaining strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and hyperscale cloud providers whose infrastructure requirements directly impact business growth and market positioning.

Beneficial Skills

Sustainability and ESG expertise is increasingly valuable as environmental commitments become competitive differentiators and regulatory requirements in European markets, particularly for attracting environmentally conscious enterprise clients and investors. Multi-language capabilities and cultural competency across European markets provide significant advantages for navigating diverse regulatory environments, building local partnerships, and managing cross-cultural teams effectively. AI and edge computing infrastructure knowledge is beneficial for anticipating next-generation technology requirements and positioning operations to support emerging workloads that will drive future growth in the data center industry. Private equity and institutional investor relations experience is valuable given the significant capital requirements and investment community interest in data center infrastructure assets.

Unique Aspects

Rare greenfield opportunity to build European data center operations from the ground up for a well-capitalized global infrastructure leader

Direct involvement in establishing operational standards and reputation for next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure across major European markets

Strategic positioning at the intersection of digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and European market expansion

Executive-level responsibility for scaling operations across multiple countries and regulatory environments simultaneously

Opportunity to influence global operational standards and best practices for a major infrastructure provider

Career Growth

Progression to global executive roles typically achievable within 3-5 years given the strategic nature of this position and the rapid growth trajectory of the data center industry

Potential Next Roles

Chief Operations Officer for global data center operations across multiple continents Chief Executive Officer of regional data center operations or specialized infrastructure companies President of European operations for major global infrastructure or technology companies Chief Technology Officer roles in hyperscale cloud providers or enterprise technology companies Board positions and advisory roles in infrastructure, technology, and private equity firms

Company Overview

Goodman

Goodman is a leading global provider of industrial and data center infrastructure with operations spanning Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Americas. The company manages approximately $65 billion in assets and has established itself as a premier developer and operator of mission-critical infrastructure that supports the digital economy.

Goodman holds a strong position in the global data center market with 5.0 GW of secured power capacity and strategic land holdings in 13 major international cities. The company's integrated approach to development, ownership, and management provides competitive advantages in securing prime locations and delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions.

This role represents Goodman's significant expansion into European markets, positioning the successful candidate as a foundational leader in establishing the company's continental operations and competitive positioning against established players like Digital Realty, Equinix, and local European providers

Goodman emphasizes sustainability as a core value and promotes an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on innovation and operational excellence. The company's commitment to environmental responsibility and next-generation infrastructure development creates an environment that attracts top talent and supports professional growth.

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Operations Director Data Centres New - Job Opportunity at Goodman

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Certifications

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

Goodman

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence