Energy Strategy Lead France

Energy Strategy Lead, France Paris Preferred but not essential About Colt DCS Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) designs, builds and operates hyperscale and colocation data centres that support the world's leading cloud, technology and digital infrastructure businesses. As demand for AI, cloud computing and digital services continues to accelerate, access to power has become one of the most critical factors determining where and how data centres can be developed. France represents a strategically important market for Colt DCS. Continued growth requires a proactive and innovative approach to securing power capacity, developing utility partnerships, navigating regulatory challenges and identifying long-term energy solutions. The Energy Strategy Lead will play a pivotal role in enabling Colt DCS's growth ambitions in France, by developing and executing a comprehensive power and energy strategy. Working across network operators, utilities, regulators, developers and internal stakeholders, the role will ensure that power availability supports both operational requirements and future development opportunities. Role Purpose The Energy Strategy Lead is responsible for defining and delivering Colt DCS's energy strategy in the region, ensuring sufficient power capacity is secured to support existing facilities and future expansion. The role will lead engagement with energy market stakeholders, secure power infrastructure solutions, influence strategic decision-making and identify innovative approaches to energy procurement and power delivery. The successful candidate will bring a commercial and strategic mindset, balancing growth requirements, operational resilience, sustainability objectives and evolving market conditions. This role will work closely with Development, Design, Construction, Operations, Sustainability, Finance and Executive Leadership teams to support Colt DCS's long-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Energy Strategy & Planning
• Develop and execute Colt DCS's energy and power strategy in France.
• Create long-term plans to secure power capacity for existing and future developments.
• Monitor energy market trends, regulatory developments and emerging technologies that may impact business growth.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on energy-related risks and opportunities. Grid & Utility Engagement
• Build and manage relationships with transmission and distribution network operators, utilities and infrastructure providers.
• Lead negotiations relating to new grid connections, capacity allocations and infrastructure upgrades.
• Represent Colt DCS in discussions with regulatory bodies and key industry stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to accelerate power delivery and improve capacity availability. Commercial & Energy Procurement
• Support the development of commercial strategies for energy procurement and power supply.
• Evaluate innovative energy solutions, including private wire arrangements, flexible connections, energy storage and alternative generation options.
• Assess commercial, operational and regulatory impacts of energy-related investments.
• Support investment decisions through business case development and risk analysis. Development & Growth Support
• Partner with Development and Construction teams to ensure power requirements are integrated into new project planning.
• Provide energy expertise during site selection and acquisition activities.
• Support delivery of major infrastructure projects requiring significant power capacity.
• Ensure energy considerations are embedded within long-term growth planning. Stakeholder Management
• Act as the primary energy subject matter expert.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align energy strategy with business objectives.
• Build credibility and influence at executive level through clear communication of complex energy and infrastructure issues.
• Foster productive relationships with external partners and industry bodies. Sustainability & Innovation
• Support the delivery of Colt DCS sustainability objectives through innovative energy solutions.
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, resilience and flexibility across the energy portfolio.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and market developments that could provide competitive advantage. Experience Essential
• Significant experience within the German energy, utilities, power infrastructure or major infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience developing and delivering energy or power strategies within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of electricity markets in France, grid infrastructure and connection processes.
• Experience managing senior stakeholder relationships across utilities, regulators and infrastructure providers.
• Commercial experience supporting large-scale capital investment programmes.
• Ability to influence decision-making at senior executive level. Desirable
• Experience supporting data centre, telecommunications, industrial, transport or other power-intensive infrastructure environments.
• Knowledge of transmission and distribution network operations.
• Experience of energy procurement and commercial power agreements.
• Familiarity with energy storage, demand-side response, onsite generation or other emerging energy technologies.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks impacting energy infrastructure development. Skills & Competencies
• Strategic thinking and long-term planning.
• Commercial acumen.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Executive stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-growth environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Relationship-building across senior internal and external stakeholders. Why Join Colt DCS? This is an opportunity to take ownership of one of the most important challenges facing the data centre industry today: securing the power infrastructure required to enable sustainable growth. The Energy Strategy Lead will have a direct impact on Colt DCS's expansion plans in France, working at the intersection of energy, infrastructure, commercial strategy and technological innovation. The role offers significant visibility, influence and the opportunity to help shape the future of critical digital infrastructure in France.