The European Data Centre Recruitment Market in January: A Fast Start to 2025

Hey! I’m Scarlett Menzies, Business Manager at Spencer Ogden, where I lead a division that provides contract resources across EMEA within the Advanced Technology & Facilities (ATF) space. My team and I work closely with clients and candidates in the data centre sector, keeping a pulse on market trends and hiring demands. Each month, I will be sharing insights into the latest developments in the industry, helping businesses stay ahead with their resourcing strategies.

January has started with a bang for the European data centre market, and here at Spencer Ogden, we’ve had an incredibly busy few weeks. After a quieter December, when many businesses were waiting to hear back on bids and tenders, activity has ramped up significantly. Clients are now receiving the news they’ve been anticipating, and with successful bids secured, resourcing plans are moving full steam ahead.

For those who didn’t win this time around, we know how competitive the market is, and we’re here to support you in future opportunities. New projects are always on the horizon, and we’re ready to help you position yourself for the next big opportunity. For those who have secured contracts—congrats! We are fully prepared to support your hiring needs to ensure projects get off to the best possible start.

January: A Busy Market Catching Up

It’s no secret that the end of the year can be slow when it comes to hiring. Many companies pause decisions as they wait on contract awards, and with the holiday season in full swing, responses tend to take longer. However, this January has been one of the busiest we’ve seen in a while, with projects now moving forward at pace.

In the data centre sector, where timelines are tight and projects are high-value, this has led to an urgent need for skilled professionals. Businesses are looking to scale up quickly to keep up with delivery schedules, and we’ve seen a sharp rise in demand across multiple disciplines.

Key Hiring Needs: Who’s in Demand?

With bids now confirmed and projects kicking off, companies are moving fast to secure talent. Some of the most sought-after roles we’re seeing right now include:

Project Managers & Construction Managers: With new projects breaking ground, experienced professionals are needed to oversee delivery from design through to completion.
MEP Engineers & Electrical Engineers: Technical expertise remains in high demand, particularly as companies focus on efficiency and reliability in mission-critical systems.
Commissioning Specialists: As projects move closer to go-live, companies need experts to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Health & Safety & Quality Control Experts: Given the strict regulations and compliance requirements across Europe, firms are prioritising professionals who can maintain the highest standards on-site.
Cost Management Professionals: With budgets tightening and inflationary pressures impacting project costs, skilled cost managers and quantity surveyors are becoming increasingly important to ensure financial efficiency.

This surge in demand reflects the industry’s continued expansion, and companies that act quickly to secure the right talent will have a major advantage in meeting project deadlines and budgets.

For Those Who Didn’t Secure a Win: What’s Next?

While many companies are celebrating contract wins, we know that not everyone will have been successful this time around. However, the speed at which the market is moving means that new opportunities are constantly emerging.

At Spencer Ogden, we’re here to help you reposition for the next wave of tenders and support you in finding the best talent for upcoming projects. Whether it’s refining hiring strategies, securing key personnel in advance, or gaining market insights into where future opportunities lie, we’re committed to ensuring that you’re always ready for what’s next.

We’re already seeing a strong pipeline of new tenders and contracts coming through for later in the year. So, for those who missed out this time, the next opportunity may not be far away. We can also support you in the pre-bid stage - drop me a PM to find out how! 🙂

For Those Who Won: We’re Ready to Go!

For the companies who secured projects - congratulations! Now the real work begins, and we’re here to help you hit the ground running.

I know we put a lot of time in the calendar last year, whether that was in face-to-face meetings or on Teams calls, to ensure we were all prepared—and wow, I’m glad we did!

We know that ramping up hiring quickly can be challenging, especially in a market where top talent is in high demand. That’s where we come in. Our extensive network of highly skilled professionals, combined with our deep understanding of the sector, means we can help you build the right team at the right time.

Whether it’s permanent hires, contract staffing, or specialist consultancy, we’re ready to support you every step of the way to ensure your projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Market Trends: Where’s the Activity?

The European data centre market is showing no signs of slowing down, and we’re seeing strong activity across multiple regions. Key areas of growth include:

Frankfurt – Continues to dominate as Europe’s largest data centre hub, with significant investment in hyperscale and colocation projects.
Amsterdam – Sustainability and energy efficiency are top priorities, with companies focused on green data centre solutions.
Paris, Madrid & Milan – Southern Europe is becoming an increasingly attractive location for investment, with growing demand for digital infrastructure.
Nordics (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) – With access to renewable energy and cool climate benefits, the Nordics are becoming a hotspot for sustainable data centre developments.

This regional expansion is driving sustained demand for skilled professionals, and we expect hiring activity to remain strong throughout 2025. Companies that move quickly to secure top talent will have a competitive advantage in delivering projects successfully.

How Spencer Ogden Can Help

At Spencer Ogden, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of data centre recruitment. Our deep industry expertise, combined with our extensive talent network, means we can provide tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients.

As we look ahead to the rest of 2025, our focus remains on:

Providing market-leading talent solutions – Whether you need contract staffing, permanent hires, or specialist consultants, we can help you find the right people.
Offering market insights and advice – From salary benchmarking to hiring trends, we keep our clients informed on the latest industry developments.
Supporting long-term workforce planning – Helping businesses build high-performing teams that can adapt to the evolving demands of the market.

Looking Ahead

The European data centre market is evolving rapidly, and January has set the stage for a busy and dynamic year ahead. With resourcing plans in full swing and new projects constantly emerging, the demand for skilled professionals will remain high.

For those who have secured contracts, we’re ready to support your hiring needs and ensure a smooth project launch. For those who are still positioning for future work, we’re here to help you strategise and prepare for upcoming opportunities.

Spencer Ogden is committed to being a trusted recruitment partner in this fast-moving industry. If you need support with your hiring plans or want insights into market trends, get in touch with me at scarlett.menzies@spencer-ogden.com.