Associate Director, Data Centre Critical Systems

About the role

Cundall, a global independent multi-disciplinary consultancy, is looking for an experienced, client-focused data centre specialist to establish, develop and grow its data centre capability from Dubai, serving clients and projects across the wider MENA region. The role combines sector credibility, technical leadership and commercial drive to build a sustainable regional business unit, with support from regional leadership and global data centre experts.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and grow the data centre business unit in Dubai as a regional platform for the MENA market, and develop a regional growth plan covering target markets, priority clients, partners, pipeline and positioning.
• Lead win activities: client mapping, opportunity development, bid strategy, proposal leadership, fee development and commercial negotiation.
• Act as a senior client-facing representative for developers, operators, hyperscale clients, investors, contractors and delivery partners.
• Lead multidisciplinary design delivery on data centre projects, keeping solutions robust, coordinated, buildable, resilient and sustainable.
• Own project delivery governance: programme, resourcing, risk, change control, commercial performance, reporting and stakeholder communication.
• Maintain QA/QC processes, including design reviews, technical approvals, interdisciplinary checks, lessons learned and compliance with standards, codes and Cundall procedures.
• Recruit, mentor and develop engineers and technical specialists.

Required profile

• Chartered Engineer, or working towards equivalent professional recognition, with a degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Significant consultancy experience with a proven track record in data centre, mission-critical or complex MEP-led projects.
• Demonstrated ability to build client relationships, shape winning proposals and convert prospects into live commissions.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical work with strategic leadership, business development and team management.

Required skills

• Leading and reviewing design outputs, managing multidisciplinary coordination and chairing project and design reviews.
• Overseeing specifications and reports, and applying QA/QC procedures consistently.