Senior Vice President, Data Centre Design & Construction - APAC
About the Opportunity
Our client is a rapidly growing digital infrastructure platform focused on developing and operating next-generation data centre capacity across the Asia-Pacific region. As part of its continued expansion, the organization is seeking a highly experienced senior leader to drive the strategy, execution, and scaling of its regional data centre development and construction portfolio.
This role will be responsible for transforming a multi-country pipeline of projects into operational, mission-critical infrastructure while ensuring reliability, speed-to-market, and capital efficiency. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping how the organization delivers data centres across diverse markets and regulatory environments.
Position Overview
The Senior Vice President, Data Centre Design & Construction - APAC will lead the regional design, construction, commissioning, and delivery function for a portfolio of hyperscale and edge data centre developments across Asia Pacific.
This executive leadership role carries accountability for regional delivery strategy, programme execution, capital deployment, supply chain management, stakeholder engagement, and operational readiness. The individual will work closely with executive leadership, investors, development teams, and technology stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Regional Delivery Strategy & Operating Model
- Develop and implement the regional design and construction delivery strategy across APAC.
- Establish scalable governance frameworks, standards, and operational processes.
- Create a delivery model that balances centralized oversight with local market execution.
- Drive standardization across design, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities to improve consistency, speed, and quality.
Programme & Portfolio Leadership
- Lead a portfolio of concurrent hyperscale and edge data centre developments across multiple countries.
- Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
- Implement robust programme controls, reporting structures, and performance management systems.
- Provide leadership across all phases of project delivery, from pre-construction through commissioning and handover.
Capital Projects & Commercial Management
- Oversee large-scale capital investment programmes across APAC markets.
- Drive capital efficiency and maximize return on infrastructure investments.
- Develop regional procurement strategies, including strategic sourcing and framework agreements.
- Lead negotiations for major contracts, vendor partnerships, and commercial agreements.
- Manage commercial risk, contractual obligations, and dispute resolution processes.
Supply Chain & Strategic Partnerships
- Build and manage a resilient network of contractors, consultants, and suppliers across the region.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to equipment availability, workforce capacity, and supply chain disruptions.
- Establish strategic partnerships to secure critical resources, capacity, and commercial advantages.
- Support long-term supplier and contractor development initiatives across key markets.
Design & Technical Integration
- Collaborate with engineering, product, and operations teams to ensure infrastructure designs support scalability and operational performance.
- Promote standardization of design principles, equipment selections, and modular deployment methodologies.
- Ensure delivery capabilities evolve alongside industry advancements such as high-density computing, AI infrastructure, and liquid cooling technologies.
- Drive innovation while maintaining reliability and operational excellence.
Leadership & Team Development
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing regional design and construction organization.
- Develop succession planning, capability-building, and talent acquisition strategies.
- Foster a culture focused on accountability, execution excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Establish clear performance expectations and leadership standards across regional teams.
Executive & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary interface between project delivery teams and executive leadership.
- Engage with investors, strategic partners, regulators, and key customer stakeholders.
- Align construction priorities with broader commercial, operational, and financial objectives.
- Represent the organization in strategic negotiations and industry engagements.
Risk, Compliance & Governance
- Establish comprehensive risk management frameworks across all project activities.
- Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements, permitting processes, and industry standards.
- Champion world-class health, safety, and environmental practices across all sites.
- Drive governance and reporting processes that support successful programme execution.
Commissioning & Operational Readiness
- Define regional commissioning procedures and quality standards.
- Ensure successful testing, validation, and operational handover of all facilities.
- Minimize operational risk through effective commissioning and readiness planning.
- Embed quality assurance and continuous improvement principles throughout the project lifecycle.
Candidate Profile
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Advanced qualifications or postgraduate education would be advantageous.
Experience & Expertise
- 15-20+ years of experience in large-scale infrastructure, mission-critical facilities, or data centre development and construction.
- Demonstrated success leading multi-country, large-scale capital project portfolios.
- Proven experience building and scaling regional delivery organizations and operating platforms.
- Strong understanding of APAC market dynamics, including regulatory, labour, procurement, and supply chain considerations.
- Deep technical knowledge of datacentre infrastructure, including:
- Electrical systems
- Mechanical systems
- Cooling infrastructure
- Redundancy architectures
- Commissioning and operational readiness
- Significant experience managing complex commercial negotiations, EPC contracts, strategic supplier relationships, and procurement frameworks.
- Experience delivering hyperscale, cloud, AI, or mission-critical infrastructure projects is highly preferred.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Executive Stakeholder Management
- Capital Programme Delivery
- Data Centre Infrastructure Expertise
- Commercial & Contract Negotiation
- Organizational Scaling
- Change Management
- Risk Management & Governance
- Supply Chain Strategy
- Operational Excellence
- Health, Safety & Compliance Leadership
- Cross-Cultural Leadership Across APAC
Confidential Search
This opportunity is being managed on behalf of a leading digital infrastructure organization. Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates during the interview process.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit an application along with an updated CV of yours detailing your relevant experience to this job ad.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Recruitment Consultant: Ken Tan
EA Registration No: R22111317
EA License No: 16S8194
