Senior Director, Controls & Automation

Role Summary

We are looking for an accomplished Controls & Automation leader to shape the design, standardisation and delivery of Building Management Systems (BMS) across STACK's EMEA Data Centre portfolio. As our regional technical authority, you will establish scalable, repeatable controls solutions while ensuring they meet the demands of complex, mission-critical projects.

This is a high-impact role combining regional strategy with practical engineering leadership. You will influence technical decisions from concept and detailed design through construction, commissioning, Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and operational handover, working alongside delivery teams, contractors and customers. You will also lead a small regional specialist team and support multiple projects across Europe.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as STACK's EMEA technical authority for BMS, controls and automation, challenging designs and advising project teams, customers and delivery partners.
• Own the development and continuous improvement of a standardised, scalable EMEA BMS product, including regional specifications, control philosophies and engineering standards.
• Define repeatable system architectures, sequences of operation, hardware and software, networks, communications, graphics, alarms and equipment interfaces, with appropriate resilience and cybersecurity.
• Adapt standards to local regulations and customer requirements, driving reliability, maintainability, innovation, delivery efficiency and cost optimisation.
• Provide end-to-end technical oversight across multiple Data Centre projects, from concept and detailed design through construction, integration, commissioning, IST and operational handover.
• Review and approve controls designs, drawings, technical submissions and specifications; ensure effective integration with mechanical, electrical and other critical infrastructure.
• Oversee consultants, contractors and specialist suppliers; identify and mitigate design, programme, integration and commissioning risks, supporting customer acceptance and Ready for Service (RFS).
• Establish commissioning procedures and acceptance criteria; oversee Level 3, 4 and 5 testing where applicable, including functional scripts and failure scenarios under normal and abnormal conditions.
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting, root cause analysis and technical support for complex controls and communications issues, including chilled water systems, chillers, pumps, valves and free cooling.
• Capture lessons learned and improve future designs, standards and operational performance.
• Lead and develop a small regional specialist team, balancing resources and priorities across projects and supporting recruitment and succession planning.
• Work closely with engineering, construction, commissioning, operations, commercial and global technical teams; build supplier relationships and report risks and technical performance to senior leaders.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience in controls engineering, BMS or industrial automation, with a strong hands‑on background in programming, integration, engineering or commissioning.
• Significant delivery experience in hyperscale Data Centre's or comparable mission‑critical environments, from design through construction, commissioning, IST and handover.
• Experience establishing technical standards, control philosophies and repeatable engineering solutions, alongside the judgement to balance strategy with practical delivery.
• Deep technical expertise in BMS, PLCs, DDC controllers, SCADA, controls logic, sequences of operation and system integration.
• Strong knowledge of Data Centre mechanical and electrical systems, particularly chilled water plant, chiller sequencing, pump controls and…