Technical Director - Data Centre

Job Description Overview The Technical Director – Data Centres is the senior technical authority for Multidisciplinary engineering services associated with Data Centre projects across the Middle East region. The role is responsible for ensuring technical excellence, design quality, governance compliance, innovation, digital delivery and successful project execution across all stages of the project lifecycle. The position provides leadership to project teams, supports strategic client engagement, leads technical input into major pursuits and serves as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders. In addition to project delivery responsibilities, the role is accountable for supporting the development and expansion of AtkinsRéalis' Data Centre market sector in partnership with the Market Director. This includes sector strategy development, client engagement, market intelligence, thought leadership, capability building and work-winning support. The Technical Director is expected to be recognised both internally and externally as a subject matter expert in mission-critical facilities and to contribute to the growth and reputation of AtkinsRéalis as a leading Data Centre engineering consultant. Your role Technical Leadership & Engineering Excellence - Act as the highest level of technical authority for on Data Centre projects. - Provide strategic technical direction for hyperscale, colocation, enterprise and edge Data Centre developments. - Review and approve major engineering strategies, design philosophies and technical solutions. - Lead resolution of complex technical challenges, constructability issues and multidisciplinary coordination matters. - Ensure designs achieve optimum levels of resilience, reliability, maintainability, energy efficiency and operational flexibility. - Support projects through design reviews, assurance gates and independent technical audits. - Promote best practice engineering methodologies and continuous improvement across project teams. - Champion technical excellence and innovation throughout the project lifecycle. Design Governance & Quality Assurance - Ensure compliance with AtkinsRéalis quality management processes, technical governance frameworks and OCRA requirements. - Lead peer reviews, technical audits and independent design verifications. - Maintain alignment with applicable international standards, local authority regulations and client requirements. - Monitor technical risks and develop mitigation strategies. - Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future project delivery. - Act as technical signatory for major deliverables where delegated authority permits. Data Centre Subject Matter Expertise - Provide specialist expertise in mission-critical building systems including: - Civil, Architectural and Structural envelope. - Power generation and distribution systems. - UPS systems and battery technologies. - Cooling and thermal management systems. - Water conservation and sustainability solutions. - Fire protection and life safety systems. - Building Management Systems (BMS). - Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM). - Security and critical communications systems. - Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industry trends affecting Data Centre design and operation. - Promote adoption of innovative solutions that improve performance, resilience and sustainability. Market Sector Development - Working jointly with the Market Director: - Support development and implementation of the regional Data Centre market strategy. - Identify emerging opportunities and growth areas within the mission-critical sector. - Build and maintain relationships with hyperscale operators, colocation providers, investors, developers and technology partners. - Participate in executive client engagement programmes. - Represent AtkinsRéalis at industry forums, conferences and sector events. - Develop sector-specific marketing material, thought leadership publications and technical papers. - Contribute to annual business planning, forecasting and pipeline development. - Support strategic account planning and key client relationship management. - Help position AtkinsRéalis as a preferred engineering advisor within the Data Centre market. Work Winning & Client Development - Lead technical input for strategic pursuits and major bids. - Develop compelling technical methodologies and delivery strategies. - Participate in bid/no bid assessments and opportunity reviews. - Support fee development, risk assessments and resource planning activities. - Prepare and deliver client presentations and interview submissions. - Provide technical leadership during proposal development activities. - Support contract negotiations and technical clarifications where required. Project Delivery Leadership - Provide technical oversight across multiple commissions simultaneously. - Support Project Directors and Project Managers in delivering successful outcomes. - Ensure proj