Executive Director - Data Centre Solutions

Role Overview

CBRE Data Centre Solutions is a leading provider of integrated facilities management and project management services for data centres and critical environments. This division is integral to GWS's growth ambitions, managing significant client relationships that require executive leadership and commercial acumen.

The Executive Director serves as the senior operational and commercial leader for a defined portfolio of enterprise accounts, holding full profit and loss accountability. The role focuses on driving sustainable growth while ensuring service quality and maintaining client relationships that uphold CBRE's market reputation.

This position is ideal for a leader capable of thriving in a high-growth, matrix environment, fostering client trust through competence, developing high-performing teams, and applying commercial instincts in decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director is accountable across five areas of sustained leadership, which run concurrently and reinforce one another:

• Strategic Planning and Business Growth: Define the strategic direction for the portfolio, ensuring alignment with CBRE DCS commercial ambitions. Develop and implement business plans responsive to market trends, lead business development activities, and identify new opportunities for growth.
• Client Relationship Leadership: Serve as the senior client-facing leader, building and sustaining high-level client relationships. Ensure alignment between operational delivery and client commitments, representing CBRE DCS in various client interactions.
• Quality, Safety and Operational Standards: Set and uphold quality and safety standards across the portfolio. Lead continuous improvement initiatives and ensure compliance with mandatory processes.
• People Leadership and Organisational Capability: Build and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of feedback and engagement. Manage talent development and succession planning effectively.
• Commercial, Financial and Supply Chain Management: Assume full P&L accountability, ensuring revenue and profit targets are met. Collaborate with procurement to optimize supplier relationships and support project management capabilities.

Success Measures

Success will be evaluated based on overall business performance, including QHSE compliance, business growth, operational team establishment, and brand recognition.

Person Specification

Experience: Minimum of 10 years in FM or related sectors, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with significant P&L responsibility. Proven track record in driving growth and sustaining client relationships in a B2B environment.

Knowledge and Technical Competency: Strong commercial literacy, understanding of health and safety management in FM, and familiarity with industry trends.

Leadership and Behavioural Competencies: Demonstrated ability to lead with authenticity, build trust quickly, communicate effectively, and make sound decisions under pressure. A focus on coaching and developing others is essential.

Education and Qualifications: Degree in a technical or business discipline, with membership in a relevant professional institute preferred. Additional leadership qualifications such as an MBA are advantageous.

Travel

Willingness to travel across Europe and occasionally to the UK for meetings and training as required.