Director - Entitlements (Data Centers)

📍 Location: Dallas, TX

🏢 Platform: Data Centers

🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time | In-Office Travel

Position Overview

We are seeking a high-performing Director - Entitlements who will be responsible for driving the full entitlement and pre-construction phases of process for all data center development projects.

You will play a crucial role in securing all the necessary governmental approvals, permits, and rights to develop new projects. Success in this role requires a steady leadership presence, exceptional communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to navigate complex political and regulatory environments with confidence. The ideal candidate will bring a proven record of entitling large‑scale data center, commercial, industrial, or mission critical projects and excel in fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environments.

This in-office role will report to the Managing Partner. This position will require travel to project sites, industry conferences, jurisdictional meetings, and project hearings.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform due diligence for prospective land acquisitions and data center developments.
• Assess and manage front‑end development risks across environmental conditions, geotechnical factors, utilities, off‑site and traffic improvements, right‑of‑way needs, natural and cultural resources, and jurisdictional fees.
• Prepare feasibility analyses and conceptual CAD layouts to evaluate yield, circulation, grading, and stormwater compliance; ensure all layouts align with zoning, design standards, and site constraints.
• Provide early planning insights that inform land strategy and capital allocation decisions.
• Lead entitlement efforts to secure zoning, land use approvals, site plans, engineering reviews, and all required permits for data center campus developments.
• Manage entitlement schedules, jurisdictional applications, and regulatory processes to align with project timelines.
• Negotiate and finalize development‑related documents, including development agreements, proffers, and annexation agreements.
• Coordinate and manage multidisciplinary consultant teams, including civil engineers, legal counsel, environmental specialists, architects, title agents, and geotechnical professionals.
• Direct consultants in preparing, submitting, and managing land use and entitlement applications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with municipal officials and regulatory staff; secure approvals from city councils, planning commissions, and other governing bodies.
• Represent Provident at public hearings, agency meetings, and community outreach events; lead communications with neighbors, local organizations, and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, and status reports.
• Collaborate with the development team to ensure a smooth transition from entitlement to execution.
• Attend select industry conferences and events to maintain relationships and stay current on emerging trends in entitlement and development policy.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• 7 years of progressive experience managing all phases of entitlement processing including Zoning Codes, Comprehensive Plans and other applicable municipal codes impacting the development of land for large-scale, high-profile mission critical, utility, telecom, industrial, life sciences, and/or data center projects.
• Governmental approval experience; a mix of public agency and private sector experience preferred.
• High level of proficiency in reading and interpreting local land use regulations, engineering and architectural drawings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to have experienced discussions with public agencies and consultants.
• Highly organized; able to manage multiple complex projects, budgets, and schedules while meeting deadlines.
• Experience negotiating agreements, managing stakeholder relationships, and implementing portfolio strategies.
• Hands-on mindset with ability to operate both strategically and tactically.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Skills & Competencies

• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and is able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Self-starter; thrives in dynamic and entrepreneurial environments.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and creative problem-solving skills, with a results-driven approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present effectively to owners, equity partners, government officials, community residents, and local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Lifelong learner who applies expertise with confidence and defends analysis clearly and persuasively to investment committees.

Benefits:

• Competitive base bonus, and the unique ability to invest in the Provident Employee Fund
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company-Provided Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401k with Company Match
• 529 College Savings Plan
• 3 Weeks PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Maternity/Paternity Leave

Company Overview:

Since its inception in 1991, Provident has developed over $6 Billion of real estate projects. We are disciplined and focused on executing deals that offer the best strategy for Provident and our investor partners. With over three decades of experience with opportunistic land development and vertical development in various key U.S. markets, our company thrives on an entrepreneurial spirit and an excellent track record of success.

Over the past 30 years, Provident has executed a diversified real estate investment and development platform. Currently, the $7.5 billion portfolio includes product types such as multi-family, industrial, master-planned communities, hospitality, retail, office, mixed-use, and data centers across the United States.

Under the leadership of Leon Backes and Jay Hawes, Provident is a respected, well-capitalized investment firm that has thrived through three decades and multiple market cycles with foresight, depth of experience, and a unique ability to adapt to shifting demands, market trends, and challenging economic cycles. Provident is in constant pursuit of flexibility, innovation, and professionalism in its operations and investments. By maintaining a streamlined decision-making process, Provident is able to capitalize on fast-moving opportunities and rapidly adjust to dynamic market forces.