Director, Land Acquisition & Energy – Design, Build & Operate (EMEA) London,UK (Hybrid)

Start: ASAP 
Contract: Full-Time / Permanent 
Travel: Domestic & Select International  

About Submer 

Submer designs and delivers end-to-end AI data center infrastructure built around industry-leading liquid cooling. 

Through our Design, Build & Operate (DBO) model, we provide fully integrated infrastructure solutions—from site origination and development through to delivery and ongoing operations—enabling customers to scale AI with speed, efficiency, and sustainability. 

 

What Impact You Will Have 

The Director, Land Acquisition & Energy – DBO (NAM) plays a foundational role in enabling Submer’s Design, Build & Operate strategy, owning the origination of land and power infrastructure required to deploy high-density AI data centers across EMEA

This role is not just transactional—it is strategic and programmatic, ensuring that land and energy decisions are aligned with long-term platform scalability, operational efficiency, and speed to deployment. 

You will directly influence where and how Submer builds its infrastructure footprint, acting as the critical link between site origination, energy strategy, and project execution. 

 

What You’ll Do 

Integrated Land & Power Strategy (DBO-Aligned) 

• Define and execute a region-wide land and energy origination strategy aligned with the DBO expansion roadmap  

• Identify priority markets based on power availability, latency requirements, customer demand, and scalability  

• Ensure all site origination decisions support long-term operational performance and lifecycle efficiency  

 

Power Strategy & Utility Engagement 

• Lead engagement with utilities, Independent System Operators (ISOs), and energy providers across EMEA

• Secure scalable, reliable, and cost-effective power capacity for high-density AI workloads  

• Negotiate interconnection agreements, capacity reservations, tariffs, and infrastructure contributions  

• Develop forward-looking energy strategies, including renewable integration, PPAs, and redundancy planning  

• Align power delivery timelines with DBO project execution schedules  

 

Site Identification & Land Acquisition

• Build and manage a strategic pipeline of land opportunities across EMEA markets
• Identify sites aligned with DBO technical requirements (size, zoning, connectivity, environmental constraints, proximity to power)
• Lead commercial structuring of land deals (purchase, lease, options, JV structures where relevant)
• Establish and maintain relationships with landowners, developers, brokers, and public sector stakeholders
• Oversee full due diligence process (legal, environmental, technical, and infrastructure readiness)

 

Regulatory & Permitting Strategy

• Navigate complex, multi-jurisdictional planning and permitting environments
• Partner with local authorities to accelerate entitlement timelines and de-risk projects
• Ensure alignment between land strategy and regulatory frameworks across EMEA
• Structure projects to optimize speed-to-build while maintaining compliance

 

Commercial & Technical Feasibility

• Lead early-stage feasibility assessments including:
  • Land pricing and acquisition structures
  • Grid connection costs and timelines
  • Infrastructure and substation investment requirements
• Partner closely with engineering, design, and construction teams to validate site viability within the DBO model
• Provide key inputs into investment cases, capital allocation, and project prioritization

 

Stakeholder & Market Leadership

• Act as a senior external representative of Submer across real estate, energy, and infrastructure ecosystems
• Build long-term partnerships across priority markets to create proprietary deal flow and early access opportunities
• Represent Submer in negotiations, industry forums, and strategic discussions
• Work cross-functionally with DBO leadership, Finance, Legal, and Executive teams

 

What You’ll Need

• 10+ years of experience in infrastructure development, real estate, energy, or large-scale industrial projects
• Proven experience securing both land and power for data centers, logistics, renewables, or major infrastructure developments
• Strong understanding of European planning, permitting, and energy frameworks across multiple jurisdictions
• Deep experience working with utilities and navigating grid connection processes
• Commercial and technical understanding of:
  • Power delivery and substation infrastructure
  • Land acquisition structures and risk mitigation
  • Early-stage project development economics
• Experience operating in a project-driven, build-led, or vertically integrated environment (DBO, EPC, or developer-operator models)
• Ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels in a fast-scaling business

 

What We Offer

• Direct impact on the company’s ability to scale AI infrastructure globally
• Exposure to complex, high-value infrastructure projects at the intersection of energy, real estate, and technology
• A fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment with real ownership and autonomy
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and long-term equity participation

Our inclusive responsibility 

Submer is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.