DR
European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director
full-time•Greater London
About this role
Your role
Strategic Energy Leadership
- Develop and execute a multi-year European energy strategy aligned with datacenter expansion, sustainability commitments, and grid-interaction goals.
- Anticipate energy market trends, grid constraints, and evolving regulatory frameworks to inform datacenter siting and capacity planning.
- Drive integrated strategies for energy resilience, thermal management optimization, and on-site flexibility technologies.
Demand Response & Grid Flexibility
- Lead development of grid-interactive datacenter capabilities enabling participation in:
- Demand response programs
- Flexibility and balancing markets
- Frequency regulation and ancillary services
- Peak-shaving and load-shifting initiatives
- Work with engineering and operations teams to design and implement load-shedding, battery optimization, and flexible load management solutions.
- Evaluate feasibility and deployment pathways for on-site generation, long-duration storage, and emerging flexibility technologies.
Regulatory & Grid Engagement
- Serve as a key point of contact with European regulators, TSOs/DSOs, and permitting authorities in coordination with our regional and subregional MDs.
- Influence policy related to energy flexibility, datacenter grid integration, carbon accounting, and waste heat utilization.
- Manage grid interconnection strategy, capacity reservations, and compliance with EU and national regulations.
Stakeholder Leadership & Collaboration
- Work closely with datacenter operations, construction, sustainability, finance, legal, investments/acquisitions and public policy teams
- Communicate strategy, risks, performance, and opportunities to executive leadership and external partners.
- Lead a regional energy strategy team and manage external consultants.
What you’ll need
- 10+ years of experience in energy strategy, energy systems, utilities, or large-scale infrastructure.
- Strong understanding of European electricity markets, transmission and distribution networks, and regulatory environments.
- Experience with demand response, flexibility markets, or grid-interactive buildings/industry.
- Proven experience engaging with regulators, TSOs/DSOs, and government entities.
- Demonstrated leadership in multi-country, cross-functional initiatives.
Preferred
- Experience in hyperscale datacenters or other mission-critical, high-energy-intensity sectors.
- Understanding of European climate policies, carbon accounting frameworks, and renewable certification mechanisms.
- Technical knowledge of datacenter electrical and cooling systems.
- Advanced degree in engineering, energy systems, economics, sustainability, or related fields.
What you'll do
- Develop and execute a multi-year European energy strategy for datacenter expansion and sustainability. Lead the development of grid-interactive capabilities and engage with regulators and stakeholders.
About Digital Realty
Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place". Digital Realty enables its customers with the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries on six continents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director do at Digital Realty?
As a European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director at Digital Realty, you will: develop and execute a multi-year European energy strategy for datacenter expansion and sustainability. Lead the development of grid-interactive capabilities and engage with regulators and stakeholders..
Is the European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director position at Digital Realty remote?
The European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director position at Digital Realty is based in Greater London, England, United Kingdom. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director position at Digital Realty?
You can apply for the European Datacenter Energy Strategy Director position at Digital Realtydirectly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.