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Environmental Manager

Echelon Data Centres • Ireland • Added on Sep 16, 2026
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This role centers on managing the complex environmental footprint of large-scale data center campuses. You will take ownership of the full environmental compliance lifecycle, from securing high-stakes Industrial Emissions Directive licenses to maintaining rigorous ISO standards across energy-intensive facilities. Your work ensures that the physical infrastructure—including cooling systems and backup power—operates within strict regulatory boundaries while minimizing ecological impact.

The significance of this position lies in the intersection of digital infrastructure and decarbonization. As data processing demand surges, your leadership in monitoring air emissions and optimizing energy management systems directly determines how responsibly these massive hubs scale. You will be a key player in proving that the next generation of digital growth can coexist with ambitious environmental protection goals and resource efficiency.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical background in heavy industry or utilities and thrives when navigating complex regulatory frameworks. You should be a compliance expert who enjoys translating high-level sustainability commitments into concrete, operational controls.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus of this role is the environmental stewardship of data center assets and energy generation portfolio. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) licenses, ensuring all permits from bodies like the EPA are secured and maintained. This involves drafting applications, managing reporting cycles, and conducting rigorous audits to ensure no breach of statutory obligations occurs. Beyond licensing, you will develop and maintain robust management systems for ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. This entails setting clear KPIs, monitoring performance across air emissions, noise, and water discharge, and providing environmental oversight for critical infrastructure like backup generation and cooling systems. You will also integrate these requirements into the broader procurement and construction stages of the facility lifecycle.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in the hyperscale data center industry, a sector at the forefront of the modern energy transition. You will likely develop a specialized understanding of how large-scale cooling and backup power systems interact with national grids and environmental regulations, providing a unique vantage point on industrial decarbonization. There is also significant opportunity to master the nuances of Irish and EU environmental policy, particularly regarding the EPA regulatory environment. Managing both ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 simultaneously offers a dual-track learning path in environmental and energy management, which is increasingly valuable as companies move toward integrated ESG reporting structures.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings at least 5 to 8 years of experience within heavy industry, utilities, or energy generation. A proven track record with IED license applications is essential, as is a degree in an environmental or sustainability discipline. We are looking for a professional who is already well-versed in the specific regulatory landscape of Ireland or similar EU jurisdictions. Technically, you should be an expert in ISO standards, ideally holding lead auditor qualifications. Soft skills are just as vital; you must be a confident communicator capable of liaising with government regulators and internal procurement teams alike. A proactive mindset toward energy and carbon reduction initiatives will set a candidate apart from those with a purely compliance-based background.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your direct experience with regulatory bodies like the EPA. Provide specific examples of licenses you have successfully secured or compliance frameworks you have built from scratch in complex industrial settings. Mentioning your experience with backup power or thermal generation assets will be highly relevant given the nature of data center operations. Tailor your application to show how you bridge the gap between technical compliance and corporate sustainability. Echelon is a fast-growing, mission-driven company, so demonstrating an understanding of how responsible infrastructure design contributes to their competitive advantage in the hyperscale market will resonate well with the hiring team.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is heavily focused on operational environmental impact and energy efficiency. You will be the lead on managing air emissions (NOx, CO2, particulates), which are critical when operating large-scale backup generators and energy centers. Water discharge, hazardous waste management, and refrigerant leakage are also high-priority focus areas within your remit. Furthermore, the role supports the company's broader ESG initiatives by driving energy and carbon reduction projects. By ensuring ISO 50001 compliance, you directly influence the energy performance of the campuses, which is the most significant sustainability lever for a data center operator.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is balancing the rapid growth and scale of data center campuses with the stringent requirements of environmental permits. Navigating the timeline of IED applications while the company expands imminently requires high levels of organizational skill and foresight regarding regulatory shifts. You may also face the challenge of cross-departmental integration, ensuring that procurement and construction teams prioritize environmental controls in high-pressure project environments. Maintaining 100% compliance across multiple sites with varying infrastructure configurations requires meticulous attention to detail and a robust internal audit culture.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day could involve a mix of regulatory liaison and technical documentation review. You might start by reviewing emissions data from a recently activated campus, followed by a meeting with the Procurement Director to discuss environmental clauses in new supplier contracts. Coordinating with site managers to ensure waste and hazardous materials are being handled per ISO 14001 standards is a frequent task. Afternoons might be dedicated to drafting IED license applications or preparing reports for senior leadership on energy performance KPIs. You will also spend time monitoring new Irish or EU environmental policy directions to ensure the company remains ahead of the curve, potentially ending the day by reviewing audit results from a third-party certification body.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As Echelon expands its network across Europe, there is significant potential for regional leadership roles. A successful Environmental Manager could move into a Head of Sustainability or EHS Director position as the portfolio of sites grows. Being part of a company with a c€2.5bn enterprise value means the scale of projects will only increase, offering high visibility. There are also opportunities for lateral development into procurement or project management, given how closely the role collaborates with those functions. Participation in high-level strategic planning regarding sustainably powered campuses places you at the heart of the company's long-term business strategy.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to the Procurement Director, but your influence will extend across the organization. Internally, you will work closely with the design, construction, and operations teams to embed environmental standards into the facility lifecycle. You will also act as a advisor to Senior Leadership on ESG performance and compliance risks. Externally, your most frequent interactions will be with environmental regulators such as the EPA and local Irish authorities. You will also manage relationships with external auditors for ISO certifications and work with suppliers and contractors to ensure they meet Echelon’s environmental and energy management expectations.

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