Data Center Development Project Manager

🚀 Behind every AI, there's a data center. And behind our data centers, there could be you. At BlueKobalt, we develop and manage the digital infrastructure that will host tomorrow's AI and high-performance computing (HPC). We're looking for top project managers to develop our data centers in France: you'll own your projects, from site identification all the way to ready-to-build. 📌 At a glance
• Role: Data Center Development Project Manager – France
• Contract: permanent (CDI), full-time, executive status (cadre)
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Location:
Paris, with frequent travel
• Reports to: Chief Development Officer
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Experience:
5 to 15 years
• Languages: fluent French, professional English
• Start date: as soon as possible 🔵 Who we are BlueKobalt Infrastructure was founded in 2026 by an experienced team. We develop, build and operate digital infrastructure for AI (inference and training) and high-performance computing, with sites from 50 to 300 MW. Our founders have developed major energy infrastructure projects across Europe and internationally. Today, they are moving into a fast-growing sector: data centers built for AI. Our mindset: here, we are entrepreneurial, creative, enthusiastic, solution-oriented, supportive, ambitious and future-focused. We use AI every day, and we will soon be a leading AI data center operator. 🎯 Your role Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will grow our portfolio of data center projects in France. You will orchestrate all the internal and external players working on your projects and lead them from start to finish. 🛠️ Your responsibilities 🔍 Prospect and qualify
• Prospect target areas: grid connection capacity, available land, local political support.
• Lead and manage a network of external prospectors: search areas and criteria, objectives, performance tracking.
• Qualify opportunities using a multi-criteria analysis grid (energy, grid, land, water, zoning, connectivity…). 🔌 Secure grid connection and land
• Work with our Grid Specialist on grid connection requests (RTE, Enedis) and, where possible, on renewable energy supply.
• Lead land and grid connection negotiations through to signature, drawing on internal and external resources. 📐 Steer technical design and permitting
• Oversee environmental, electrical, hydraulic, geotechnical and cooling studies.
• Make design trade-offs (density, cooling, redundancy…) with our Design Specialist and the sales team.
• Lead zoning and permitting procedures: compliance with the local zoning plan (and its amendment if needed), building permit, environmental authorization. 📊 Manage your projects
• Structure and track schedules, study budgets and resources.
• Maintain the risk register, identify roadblocks (grid connection, zoning, environment…) and roll out action plans.
• Coordinate engineering firms, architects, land experts, legal advisors, suppliers and future EPC contractors: specifications, tenders, quality monitoring.
• Prepare and present internal approval files (technical summary, budget, schedule, risks).
• Contribute, with the CFO, to investment and financing files. 🤝 Rally stakeholders around your projects
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, local authorities, economic development agencies, developers and government services.
• Engage with local residents, run steering committees and report to management and investors.
• Take part in pre-sales discussions with clients, bringing the project's technical and timeline perspective. 🙌

Your profile
Education
• Master's degree (Bac+5): engineer (electrical / energy, civil, mechanical / HVAC) with business experience, or business school graduate with technical experience. Experience
• 5 to 15 years in developing digital infrastructure, industrial real estate or renewable energy projects, with sites actually permitted and secured to your credit.
• A real local network: you know how to open an elected official's door and keep the relationship going over time.
• You master grid connection procedures and the relationship with RTE, land securing, and French zoning and permitting procedures. Key skills
• Infrastructure project development, from site qualification to building permit.
• Understanding of data center design, energy management and cooling, including high density and liquid cooling for AI.
• Grid connection (HV / MV) and how grid operators work.
• French regulatory framework: zoning, environment (impact assessment, ICPE classified facilities) and recent changes (simplification law of 26 May 2026, waste heat recovery).
• Project management (planning, budget tracking, dashboards) and preparation of investment files.
• Managing external service providers based on objectives and KPIs.
• Data center construction methods, technical standards and safety requirements.
• Professional English. Another European language is a plus.
• Comfortable with digital tools and AI. Your personality
• You bring cross-functional teams together without formal authority: you lead by influence.
• You communicate clearly and know how to run a steering committee.
• Rigor, organization, results orientation, autonomy and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• You enjoy fieldwork and travel doesn't scare you.
• Team spirit, openness, creativity and determination to see things through. ✨ Nice to have
• You know grid operators well (RTE, Enedis).
• You understand what hyperscalers expect.
• You have already delivered projects end to end.
• You thrive in a growing company.
• You want to automate, test AI tools, and work faster and smarter. 💙 Why join us?
• A key role: you contribute directly to critical infrastructure for AI and data.
• Autonomy: responsibility, efficiency, short decision-making channels. Your choices have an immediate impact.
• A competitive compensation package. 🗓️ Our hiring process, step by step
• An HR interview, by video or in person
• A technical interview with the team
• A possible case study and an interview with the founders
• A reference check, then an offer BlueKobalt is committed to equal opportunities: all our positions are open, with equal skills, regardless of origin, gender, age, family situation, disability or beliefs.