Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global)

Director, Leasing – Design, Build & Operate (Global) 

Location: London, United Kingdom (Hybrid) 
Start: ASAP 
Contract: Full-Time / Permanent 
Travel: International (as required) 

  

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, Leasing – DBO is a critical commercial leadership role responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating customer agreements across Submer’s global data center platform. 

This role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, legal structuring, and infrastructure delivery, leading complex, high-value leasing transactions with hyperscalers, AI companies, and enterprise customers. 

You will play a central role in converting Submer’s infrastructure investments into long-term, revenue-generating contracts—ensuring deals are structured to balance risk, return, scalability, and operational flexibility. 

  

What You’ll Do 

Leasing Strategy & Commercial Structuring 

• Define and execute leasing strategy across Submer’s DBO portfolio globally  

• Structure complex commercial agreements, including:  

• Hyperscale / wholesale leases  

• Build-to-suit agreements  

• AI infrastructure capacity agreements  

• Hybrid or platform-based commercial models  

• Align leasing strategy with investment underwriting, capacity planning, and market entry priorities  

  

Deal Origination & Negotiation 

• Lead end-to-end negotiation of leasing transactions with hyperscalers, AI companies, and enterprise clients  

• Act as lead negotiator and commercial counterpart across all stages of the deal lifecycle  

• Structure agreements that address:  

• Capacity commitments and ramp schedules  

• Pricing, escalation, and power pass-through mechanisms  

• Service levels, uptime, and performance guarantees  

• Expansion rights, renewal options, and exit provisions  

• Balance customer requirements with Submer’s capital efficiency and operational model  

 

Cross-Functional Deal Leadership 

• Partner closely with:  

• • Investment & Underwriting (deal economics and return thresholds)  

• • Land & Power (site-specific constraints and opportunities)  

• • Engineering & Delivery (design, timelines, technical feasibility)  

• • Legal (contract frameworks and risk management)  

• Translate technical and infrastructure constraints into commercially viable deal structures  

• Ensure alignment between contractual commitments and delivery capabilities  

  

Portfolio & Revenue Optimization 

• Support development of a diversified, high-quality customer portfolio  

• Optimize lease structures to maximize:  

• Long-term revenue visibility  

• Capacity utilization  

• Risk-adjusted returns  

• Contribute to pricing strategy and commercial frameworks across regions  

  

Stakeholder Management & Market Engagement 

• Build and maintain senior relationships with hyperscalers, AI infrastructure players, and enterprise clients  

• Represent Submer in strategic commercial discussions and negotiations globally  

• Collaborate with internal leadership to shape market positioning and go-to-market strategy  

  

Sustainability & Strategic Alignment 

• Ensure leasing structures align with Submer’s sustainability objectives, including energy efficiency and responsible infrastructure deployment  

• Support customer engagement around sustainable AI infrastructure solutions  

• Contribute to broader company strategy through commercial insight and market feedback  

  

What You’ll Need 

• 10+ years of experience in commercial negotiations, legal structuring, or deal-making within infrastructure, energy, data centers, or large-scale industrial projects  

• Strong background in leading complex, high-value negotiations across international markets  

• Experience across the full project lifecycle (development, financing, construction, operations, refinancing, M&A)  

• Deep understanding of:  

• Long-term infrastructure contracts and leasing models  

• Risk allocation and commercial structuring  

• Multi-stakeholder, cross-border transactions  

• Ability to operate as both:  

• A strategic commercial leader  

• A hands-on deal negotiator  

• Experience working with hyperscalers, large enterprises, or infrastructure customers strongly preferred  

• Background often includes:  

• Infrastructure legal counsel (in-house or private practice)  

• Commercial / investment roles in data center or energy platforms  

• Project finance or infrastructure development environments  

  

What We Offer 

• A pivotal role shaping Submer’s global commercial engine within the DBO model  

• Direct involvement in high-impact, strategic deals at the forefront of AI infrastructure  

• Opportunity to work across global markets and complex, multidisciplinary projects  

• A fast-scaling, entrepreneurial environment with real ownership and influence  

• 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.