Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Location: London, UK (with international project reach)
About the Company:
Join a ground-breaking digital infrastructure company at a pivotal moment of rapid expansion within the Data Centre and Digital Infrastructure industry. With active projects in the UK, North America, and beyond, they are redefining how AI, cloud, and high-performance compute facilities are delivered and run.
Their focus is on building sustainable, resilient, high-density data centre platforms, underpinned by a culture of innovation, execution, and a genuine mission to lead the next wave of digital transformation.
Why Join?
Lead and shape a business that sits at the intersection of AI, cloud, and clean energy.
Influence project pipelines with international scope - current operational facilities and new developments in UK, US, and Canada, and more in the pipeline.
Work directly with an ambitious C-suite, board, and investor community.
Gain equity and play a key role in their path toward IPO and international scale.
Be the architect of operational blueprints that will be replicated globally.
The Role:
As COO, you will be the operational backbone and implementer-in-chief, forging clarity out of complexity in a company that is consolidating acquired data centres, innovating service models, and scaling rapidly.
You’ll lead the harmonisation of different operating models into a unified, scalable platform - creating both strategic systems and people-first solutions.
Your Impact:
Operational Leadership: Redesign and optimise operations across multiple business units/data centres, ensuring scalability, consistency, and resilience as the company expands both in the UK and internationally.
People & Culture: Build and lead talented, high-performing teams; instil a culture of ownership, collaboration, and operational excellence. Be a true people-first operator, fostering teamwork over silos.
Blueprint Creation: Develop robust operating models for data centre management that can be rolled out across all current and future sites (UK, US, and emerging markets).
Strategic Projects: Play a key role in integrating acquisitions, retrofitting facilities with AI/HPC technology, and supporting their journey to industry-scale proof of concept - crucial for investor-led growth and future IPO.
Leadership Partner: Work closely with the CEO and C-suite to shape company strategy, governance, and growth roadmap. Have a seat at the table with significant equity upside.
Solution-Oriented Problem Solver: Drive a mindset of active problem solving - empowering teams to own challenges and deliver solutions, not just surface problems.
Experience:
Experience: 10+ years in senior operations leadership within data centres.
Expertise: Deep, hands-on knowledge of data centre/end-to-end facility operations; can assess staffing models, workflow tools, SLA management, and vendor relationships.
Track Record: Success at unifying disparate legacy operations into cohesive systems; experience with greenfield and brownfield assets is highly valued.
Leadership: Natural team builder with strong people and change management skills - known for bringing diverse groups together and inspiring followership.
Strategic Mindset & Autonomy: Thinks beyond the day-to-day and can set direction over 12-24 months, operate with significant autonomy, and challenge the executive team when needed.
Culture & Diversity Champion: Wants to leave a mark on organisational culture, valuing innovation through healthy debate and diversity at the C-suite level.
Compensation:
Base Salary: £150k–£175k (experience-dependent)
Bonus: Performance-based structure
Equity: Significant package as a key C-suite hire
Benefits: Comprehensive package, international travel, flexible work policies
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about building the operational playbook for tomorrow’s digital infrastructure, thrive in a scale-up environment and want your work to have a tangible, global impact, I want to hear from you.
Apply now to start a confidential conversation.
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At Spencer Ogden, we are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our recruitment process. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to making any necessary adjustments to ensure you can present your best self. If you require additional time for assessments, alternative application methods, or access to interview questions in advance, please let us know. We are open to any requests or suggestions and continually seek innovative ways to assess talent. As global recruitment experts in sustainability, natural resources and infrastructure we are working with our clients and candidates to create careers to power a sustainable future. Our priority is to ensure you feel supported, respected, and secure throughout your experience with us. #LifeAtSO