WorldWide Mission Critical is seeking a Sr. Director, Power Interconnection - Europe to lead the strategy and execution of grid connections for our hyperscale data center campuses across the UK, Ireland, and Continental Europe. This role owns the end-to-end interconnection process - from initial TSO/DSO engagement and capacity reservation through connection agreement negotiation and energization - and serves as the company's primary relationship owner with European transmission and distribution system operators and national energy regulators.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and execute grid interconnection strategy for hyperscale data center campuses across target European markets (e.g., UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Nordics).
- Serve as the primary leadership point of contact with TSOs and DSOs (e.g., National Grid ESO, TenneT, Elia, EirGrid, RTE) for customer-utility issues. Oversee 3P vendors engaging utility regarding connection applications, capacity reservations, and connection agreements.
- Track grid connection queue positions across the portfolio and prepare project maturity/readiness documentation required under the EU Grids Package and national queue-reform rules.
- Negotiate connection agreements, including flexible and curtailable demand structures, to accelerate time-to-power in grid-constrained zones.
- Coordinate with customer development teams and WMCC development and engineering teams to align interconnection milestones with overall project development schedules.
- Develop and monitor electric regulatory engagement program with national regulators (e.g., Ofgem, CRU, BNetzA, ACM, CRE) and industry bodies (e.g., Eurelectric) on large-load connection and grid flexibility policy.
- Provide interconnection cost, timeline, and risk inputs to commercial and finance teams to support investment decisions.
- Manage third party consultants and advisors engaged for grid impact studies, permitting support, and connection negotiations.
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in grid interconnection, transmission/distribution planning, or utility-facing power development in Europe.
- Direct experience negotiating with TSOs/DSOs and navigating national grid connection queue processes.
- Working knowledge of EU, UK, and national grid codes, connection agreements, and queue-reform frameworks.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, energy, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Experience managing interconnection activity across multiple countries or regulatory markets.
- Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and cross-functional coordination skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel both domestic and international as required by project needs.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience specific to hyperscale data center, large industrial, or other large-load power development.
- Existing working relationships with National Grid ESO, TenneT, Elia, EirGrid, or other major European TSOs/DSOs.
- Familiarity with flexible/curtailable connection structures and battery energy storage system (BESS) integration.
Core Competencies- Grid connection queue strategy and capacity reservation
- TSO/DSO relationship management and negotiation
- Regulatory and policy engagement across multiple jurisdictions
- Commercial and technical risk assessment
Travel & Work EnvironmentEstimated 25% travel, primarily within Europe, to meet with grid operators, regulators, and site teams.
