Senior Project Manager, Data Center Expansion – Iceland at Verda

Worldwide

<p>At Verda, we're building a full-stack AI cloud, covering everything from data centers and hardware to our own cloud platform that the world's leading AI teams use to do serious AI work.<br><br>We strive to make a positive mark on the world through the infrastructure we build and give leading teams a service they can truly depend on. Headquartered in Helsinki, we operate globally with offices in London and San Francisco.<br><br>Join Verda while it’s still being built - not once it’s finished.</p><h2><strong>Why Verda</strong></h2><ul><li><p>Cash and equity compensation along with local benefits.</p></li><li><p>40+ nationalities, with 6 different ones on the management team.</p></li><li><p>A real chance to make an impact and work alongside world class engineers, researchers, and partners across the global AI ecosystem.</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Practicalities</strong></h2><ul><li><p>Work mode:<span> </span><strong>Remote (Iceland)</strong></p></li><li><p>Travel: <strong>Frequent travel on sites</strong></p></li><li><p>Employment type: <strong>Full-time and permanent</strong>.</p></li></ul><h2><strong>About the role</strong></h2><p>Verda is expanding its physical infrastructure footprint and we are bringing new data centre capacity online through colocation facilities, third-party partnerships, and strategic agreements across Iceland. Every new site we open starts with someone finding it, qualifying it, contracting it, and getting it ready to receive hardware.</p><p>That person is you.</p><p>We are looking for a Data Centre Expansion Manager (Iceland) to own the end-to-end process of identifying and delivering new colocation and data centre capacity within the local market. This is a focused, commercially and technically intensive role. You will spend significant time reviewing inbound site proposals and opportunities, conducting due diligence on colocation providers, and driving procurement processes to close.</p><h2><strong>Your responsibilities</strong></h2><ul><li><p>Lead and oversee the identification, evaluation, and development of data centre and infrastructure expansion opportunities in Iceland.</p></li><li><p>Review incoming site proposals and colocation opportunities assessing power infrastructure, cooling systems, fibre connectivity, redundancy architecture, rack density, and physical security.</p></li><li><p>Negotiate, structure, and manage commercial agreements, colocation leases, partnerships, and vendor contracts on behalf of the Company.</p></li><li><p>Represent the Company in dealings with local authorities, regulatory bodies, utilities, and third-party stakeholders as required.</p></li><li><p>Own the tendering and procurement process for new local capacity: RFI/RFP preparation, vendor shortlisting, commercial negotiation, and contract execution.</p></li><li><p>Manage project budgets, financial models, and investment cases related to Iceland expansion activities.</p></li><li><p>Ensure all expansion activities comply with applicable local laws, regulations, and Company policies.</p></li><li><p>Coordinate internal and external workstreams (Construction, DC Operations, Hardware, Procurement, Legal) to deliver expansion projects on time and within budget.</p></li><li><p>Provide regular reporting to senior management on project status, risks, and material developments.</p></li><li><p>Build and maintain a live pipeline of evaluated and pre-qualified sites so Verda is never reacting to capacity needs reactively.</p></li><li><p>Support the establishment and ongoing governance of the Company's operational presence in Iceland.</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Your key competencies</strong></h2><ul><li><p>5+ years in data centre capacity acquisition, colocation procurement, or infrastructure real estate with hands-on market experience.</p></li><li><p>Strong technical foundation: ability to assess a facility's power and cooling infrastructure, identify gaps, and know what questions to ask when something does not add up.</p></li><li><p>Direct experience reviewing and evaluating inbound colocation proposals and shortlisting processes.</p></li><li><p>Proven track record running RFI/RFP processes, commercial evaluation, and supplier negotiation.</p></li><li><p>Comfortable reviewing and negotiating colocation and power contracts without needing Legal to explain every clause.</p></li><li><p>Willingness and ability to travel frequently to sites across Iceland.</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Nice to have</strong></h2><ul><li><p>Experience evaluating high-density GPU or HPC facilities — understanding of 140kW+ per rack power requirements, liquid cooling readiness, and InfiniBand-compatible infrastructure.</p></li><li><p>Existing relationships with major local colocation operators and capacity brokers.</p></li><li><p>Familiarity with local power markets — grid connection processes, substation capacity timelines, and renewable energy sourcing.</p></li><li><p>Experience closing multiple simultaneous deals from technical evaluation through to contract execution.</p></li></ul><p><strong>What's next</strong></p><p>We're building fast and this role needs the right person behind it. There's no artificial deadline, but when we find who we're looking for, we move. If this sounds like your next move, apply now.</p><p>Please submit your application through our Careers page. We don't accept applications sent by email.</p>