Strategic Power & Energy Director

Join Kao Data as a Strategic Power and Energy Director - Drive Excellence in AI-Focused Data Centres!

Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. With a hyperscale-inspired and industrial scale platform, we provide our customers with a secure, scalable, and sustainable home for their compute.

About the Role

We are seeking a commercially astute, strategically minded and technically credible Strategic Power & Energy Director to lead Kao Data’s power strategy across development, customer growth and operational energy management.

In this strategic leadership role, you will identify, assess and drive the delivery of scalable power solutions for new and existing data centre campuses. Your remit will span a broad and evolving energy landscape, including grid connections, non-firm and firming strategies, private wire, onsite generation, energy-from-waste, battery storage, fuel cells and other transitional and low-carbon power solutions.

This is not a narrow technical delivery role. The successful candidate will act as the company’s senior power strategist, translating complex grid, regulatory, commercial and ESG issues into clear development decisions, customer propositions, Board recommendations and executable delivery plans.

The role will work closely with Development, Customer Solutions, Commercial, Finance, Operations, ESG and external stakeholders including DNOs, IDNOs, NESO, Ofgem, utilities, landowners, power generators, consultants, customers and investors.

Key Responsibilities

Power Strategy & Development Pipeline

• Lead Kao Data’s UK-first power strategy across existing campuses, expansion opportunities and new site acquisitions.
• Act as the power lead in site screening, acquisition due diligence and development prioritisation.
• Assess whether power availability, timing, firmness, cost and scalability support the commercial case for each site.

Grid Connections, Non-Firm Power & Delivery

• Lead strategy and engagement for DNO, IDNO, NESO and National Grid connection processes.
• Manage grid connection applications, modifications, queue management, delivery risk and dependency tracking.
• Partner with Engineering and Construction on substation, cable route, energisation and connection delivery.

Alternative Power, Onsite Generation & Energy Innovation

• Evaluate alternative and transitional power solutions including private wire, renewables, energy-from-waste, fuel cells, gas-to-power, biomethane, hydrogen-readiness, batteries, SMRs and other emerging solutions.
• Develop options appraisals covering cost, deliverability, ESG impact, permitting, planning, DNO implications, customer appetite and reputational risk.
• Create decision frameworks for when Kao Data should treat alternative power as bridging, permanent, supplementary or non-viable.

Regulatory, Policy & Industry Engagement

• Lead Kao Data’s power-related response to Ofgem, NESO, DNO and wider policy consultations.
• Represent Kao Data in relevant industry working groups, including data centre, grid reform and energy infrastructure forums.
• Maintain senior-level relationships with power market participants, consultants, utilities and policy stakeholders.

Operational Energy Procurement, Billing & Assurance

• Own strategic oversight of energy procurement arrangements, customer pass-through mechanisms and energy cost recovery.
• Review energy billing processes, metering data flows, customer contract interpretation and loss recovery.
• Work with Finance, Operations and Customer teams to improve accuracy, governance and commercial assurance of energy billing.

 Sales, Financial & Investment Support

• Develop power-related business cases, financial inputs and risk-adjusted options for development and customer opportunities.
• Support Board and investment papers with clear analysis of power timing, cost, risk, dependencies and value impact.
• Assist Sales and Development teams in structuring transactions where power availability is a key value driver.

 Cross-Functional Leadership & Communication

• Act as the central interface between Development, Design & Construction, Customer Solutions, Sales, Finance, Operations, ESG and Marketing on energy matters.
• Convert complex technical issues into concise executive summaries, decision papers and stakeholder briefings.
• Provide senior-level challenge and assurance before key customer, Board, shareholder or regulatory commitments are made.

What We’re Looking For:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems, or related field; advanced qualifications desirable.
• Proven experience delivering power strategy, grid connections and energy infrastructure projects in data centres, utilities or major infrastructure developments.
• Deep knowledge of UK electricity markets, grid connection processes, regulatory frameworks and connection reform.
• Strong track record evaluating and delivering firm and non-firm connections, alternative power solutions and major power infrastructure investments.
• Experience supporting site acquisition, due diligence, investment decisions and development projects where power is a critical value driver.
• Strong commercial and stakeholder management experience across utilities, regulators, consultants and strategic partners.
• Strategic, commercially minded and able to balance technical, financial and delivery considerations.
• Strong organisational,  analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex issues into clear Board and executive recommendations.
• Highly effective stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to convert power constraints into competitive advantage and development opportunities.

Why Kao Data?

• Be part of an innovative and rapidly growing AI data centre leader.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Engaging team events that strengthen workplace culture and connections
• Private Medical – private health insurance including dental and optical cover.
• Holiday – 25 days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays
• Pension – Salary Sacrifice Pension
• Parental Leave – Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Mental health support - 24/7 access to mental health support via our employee assistance programme, and a trained team of Mental Health First Aiders
• Giving back – 2 Charity volunteering days a year.
• Electric Vehicle - Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Optical Benefit
• Access to Unum’s Help@Hand