European Area Business Development Manager - Data Centers

Our client is a global leader in fire protection, delivering advanced fire detection and fire suppression solutions for mission-critical environments where uptime, asset protection, and operational resilience are paramount. Their technologies are trusted worldwide across commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and high-risk sectors. Within the rapidly expanding data centre sector, our client provides integrated fire safety solutions specifically engineered to protect critical digital infrastructure, minimise downtime, and safeguard people and assets. Their systems combine ultra-early warning detection, intelligent control technologies, and highly effective suppression solutions tailored for white space environments, electrical rooms, battery energy storage systems, UPS rooms, generator halls, and associated plant areas. On the detection side, the company offers advanced smoke detection, aspirating smoke detection, heat detection, intelligent alarm panels, and integrated monitoring platforms that enable immediate identification of fire events and rapid response. On the suppression side, they provide sprinkler systems, clean agent systems, water mist technologies, foam systems, pumps, valves, flow-switches, and associated special hazard solutions designed to meet the unique requirements of modern data centre facilities. Renowned for engineering excellence, innovation, and compliance with international standards, our client is a preferred partner to some of the world's most demanding customers. Job Purpose The European Area Business Development Manager – Data Centres will lead the strategic growth of the company's fire detection and fire suppression business across the European data centre sector. This role is focused on winning new business, developing key strategic relationships, influencing specifications, and positioning the company as a preferred fire protection partner across hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, and edge data centre projects throughout Europe. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of the European data centre ecosystem, including developers, owners, consultants, contractors, and operators, together with the ability to manage complex technical sales cycles and long-term strategic opportunities. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute a European growth strategy focused specifically on the data centre vertical. Drive sales of both fire detection and fire suppression solutions into new-build and retrofit data centre projects. Identify, qualify, and convert new business opportunities with hyperscalers, colocation providers, enterprise operators, and developers. Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including consultants, EPC firms, MEP consultants, general contractors, system integrators, and end-users. Secure product specifications at design stage through engagement with engineering consultants and project stakeholders. Position the company as a strategic technical partner for mission-critical fire protection solutions. Manage key accounts across multiple European territories and develop long-term account growth plans. Work closely with regional distributors and channel partners to maximise market penetration. Support tender submissions, technical proposals, quotations, and commercial negotiations. Collaborate with engineering, product management, and operations teams to ensure solutions meet project requirements. Monitor market trends including data centre construction pipelines, competitor activity, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments. Represent the business at major industry exhibitions, conferences, and sector events across Europe. Prepare accurate sales forecasts, pipeline reports, budgets, and strategic updates for senior management. Maintain strong CRM discipline and opportunity management processes. Carry out any other duties as reasonably requested. Required Skills & Abilities Strong commercial hunter mentality with proven business development success. Deep understanding of the European data centre market and decision-making landscape. Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Strong technical aptitude in fire detection, suppression, or mission-critical building systems. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Ability to manage long and complex sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders. High level of commercial acumen and strategic thinking. Strong organisational and time management skills. Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capability. Ability to work independently within a remote structure. Willingness to travel extensively across Europe. Fluency in English essential; additional European languages highly desirable. Required Qualifications Minimum of 10 years' commercial experience in business development or sales. Strong track record selling into the data center sector, ideally within fire protection, MEP, HVAC, electrical, security, or critical infrastructure solutions. Existing network across European data center owners, developers, consultants, and contractors strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline preferred. Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time. Work Environment & Benefits Remote / home-based role with significant European travel. Opportunity to join a high-growth global leader in a rapidly expanding sector. Competitive base salary with uncapped performance incentives. Executive-level career progression opportunities. International and collaborative working environment. Inclusive culture that values diversity, innovation, and performance. Our Commitment Our client is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to creating a workplace where all employees can thrive. They welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Reasonable adjustments will be provided for candidates or employees with disabilities.