Head of Project Controls Data Centres

WNTD is leading a confidential search on behalf of a new, fully vertically integrated AI infrastructure platform, currently in stealth ahead of its public launch.

The business brings capital, powered land, data centres, compute and operations together under one founder led platform. It is backed by a multi billion dollar strategic partnership with one of the world's leading AI companies, alongside top tier venture investment and a dedicated infrastructure fund. The ambition is simple to say and enormous to build: make AI compute as dependable and available as electricity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are appointing the founding Head of Project Controls: the leader who owns cost, planning, risk, reporting and change across every project, in every region.

This is a leadership seat first and a technical seat second. You will build the controls function from the ground up, set the standards and systems the whole portfolio runs on, and hire and grow the controls professionals embedded in every project team across EMEA and North America. The roadmap is a growing fleet of data centre projects in each region, and the function you build must scale with it. When leadership asks how the portfolio is really doing, yours is the answer they trust.

You have probably run programme controls across a region or portfolio for a hyperscaler, developer or major contractor, and you know what great looks like at that scale. This is the chance to build it your way from day one.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

Build and lead the global project controls function across EMEA and North America, covering cost, planning, risk, reporting and change Set the standards, systems and single source of truth that every project runs on Hire, develop and lead the controls professionals embedded in each project team Partner with regional delivery leadership so controls shapes decisions rather than just recording them Own portfolio reporting to executive leadership: honest numbers, early warnings and no surprises Drive forecasting, benchmarking and cost intelligence across projects, vendors and markets Hold the line on governance through baselines, stage gates and disciplined change control

WHAT YOU BRING

A track record of leading project or programme controls on large scale data centre programmes; data centre experience is essential for this role Experience running controls across multiple concurrent projects, countries or regions, ideally for a hyperscaler, developer or major contractor Genuine leadership pedigree: you have built, grown and led controls teams, and raised the standard of an organisation rather than just maintained it Deep grounding across cost management, planning, risk and reporting, and strength in the systems and data behind them The credibility to challenge delivery leaders, contractors and executives with confidence and evidence The appetite to build in a company that is still taking shape, and to travel across an international portfolio

WHAT IS ON OFFER

Competitive salary based on the work you will do here, not your salary history Retirement or pension contributions Comprehensive health, wellbeing and insurance benefits A generous holiday allowance

LOCATION

Flexible across the UK, Europe or the US, with a global remit and regular travel.

CONFIDENTIALITY

This search is being run in confidence ahead of the client's public launch. The company, its backing and full role details will be shared with relevant candidates as conversations progress.

To register interest, apply here or message the WNTD team directly for a confidential conversation