Director, HSE, Data Center Operations

Mesh-AI Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - GBP 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global tech company is seeking a Director of Health, Safety & Environment for its EMEA Data Center Operations. This leadership role involves developing and implementing HSE strategies across multiple countries while ensuring compliance with regional regulations. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of HSE experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles with a strong grasp of contractor controls and safe operations. Strong stakeholder influence and the ability to engage with diverse teams is crucial. A bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• 10+ years HSE experience in operations environments.
• 5+ years in senior HSE leadership roles across regions.
• Proven experience in multi-country compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead EMEA Operations HSE strategy and governance.
• Drive implementation of safe systems of work.
• Ensure compliance with EMEA regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership presence

Stakeholder influence skills

Governance mindset

Multilingual capability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HSE, Engineering, Environmental field

Job description

Yondr is a disruptor. We challenge convention and simplify complexity. As a global developer, owner-operator, and service provider of data centers, we deliver complex data center capacity needs to the world’s largest tech companies. Our exponential growth sees us looking for extraordinary people to help accelerate us towards our vision: a tomorrow without constraints.

But we can’t do this without you.

The role

The Director, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) – Data Center Operations (EMEA) leads HSE performance, compliance, and risk management for live data center operations across the EMEA region. This role ensures the consistent implementation of company HSE expectations while maintaining compliance with country-specific regulatory requirements and operational risk profiles. This position develops regional HSE capability, strengthens contractor governance, improves learning systems, and supports safe execution of operational maintenance and service activities. Note: this role supports operations only and does not include construction HSE responsibilities but will work with the DCX teams to streamline and successfully turn buildings over from construction to operations.

Main responsibilities

Regional HSE Leadership & Governance

• Lead the EMEA Operations HSE strategy aligned to global standards and operational priorities.
• Develop and mentor regional HSE staff supporting live sites across multiple countries.
• Establish governance routines including performance reporting, site assurance visits, and leadership reviews.

Safe Systems of Work (Operations)

• Drive consistent implementation of safe systems of work across EMEA operations, including:
• permit-to-work frameworks (where applicable)
• LOTO and isolation management
• electrical safety controls (including HV where applicable)
• confined space entry
• work at height and access equipment safety
• hot work and fire prevention
• contractor control and supervision expectations

• Strengthen operational risk assessments and task planning quality.
• Lead operations contractor safety performance across EMEA:
• contractor onboarding and qualification verification
• auditing and assurance of contractor work practices
• corrective action governance and performance improvement

Compliance & Environmental Management

• Ensure compliance with EMEA regulatory requirements across multiple countries.
• Maintain oversight of:
• local compliance obligations and documentation
• incident reporting requirements
• emergency preparedness and drills
• environmental compliance programs (waste, spill response, chemical storage, etc.)

• Support internal audits, client audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Provide leadership oversight for significant incidents and escalations.
• Ensure investigation quality and effective corrective action closure.
• Drive proactive reporting culture (near misses, hazards, learning events).
• Standardize lessons learned sharing across sites.

Training & Competency

• Ensure competency programs are defined and implemented for operations staff and contractors.
• Promote leadership engagement routines and coaching to improve field execution.
• Support regional learning campaigns and targeted risk reduction initiatives.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Serve as senior EMEA Operations HSE leader for customer audits, escalations, and performance reviews.
• Provide executive reporting on performance, trends, and key risks.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Security, HR, Compliance, and Engineering.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years HSE experience supporting operations environments (data centers, utilities, industrial facilities).
• 5+ years in a senior regional HSE leadership role across multiple sites/countries.
• Strong understanding of safe systems of work and contractor controls.
• Proven experience leading compliance in multi-country environments.
• Strong leadership presence and stakeholder influence skills.
• Willingness to travel across EMEA as required (typically 25–50%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HSE, Engineering, Environmental, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Multilingual capability (French, German, Dutch, Spanish, etc.) a plus.
• Experience with HOP/Safety-II approaches.

Competencies / Success Factors

• Strong governance mindset with practical operational approach
• Ability to balance standardization with country-specific requirements
• High accountability and strong follow-through
• Strong contractor influence and client partnership skills
• Calm, decisive leadership in high-impact operational events

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, or disability status. Our hiring process aims to provide equitable access and consideration for every candidate.

Yondr is committed to fostering a welcoming, safe and inclusive work environment.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is voluntary and will not be considered in hiring decisions. Any information provided will be kept confidential. If you need more information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s OFCCP website.

Disability Status: This section outlines categories of disabilities and is intended for government reporting purposes. Participation is voluntary.

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: This survey may require a response; this notice is to inform about the collection.