Director, Data Center Development

Role: Director, Data Center Development

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Location: Flexible/Hybrid

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience, inclusive of incentive eligibility

About The Role

The Director of Data Center Development will be responsible for assessing, planning, and advancing data center development. This role manages the entire pre-construction development process, from initial site-selection to navigating complex permitting and securing large-scale utility interconnections.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience in data center development, including site selection, power delivery planning, permitting, and coordination with engineering/construction stakeholders. As the platform matures, this role will play a key role in building a data center development organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Director of Strategy & Commercial Development to align development plans with customer and commercial requirements.
• Identify and lead technical feasibility assessments of potential greenfield and brownfield development sites (power availability, fiber connectivity, environmental and zoning risk, permitting timelines, etc.).
• Oversee real estate negotiations and acquisition processes, including working with brokers, landowners, and legal counsel
• Manage the evaluation of feasibility, cost, and timeline for securing multi-megawatt power loads, including the development of new substations and transmission-level infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, budgets, and risk-management plans for the pre-construction phase.
• Work cross-functionally with finance, engineering, and legal to support go/no-go recommendations.
• Establish standardized development processes and milestones to support scaling.
• Recommend future organizational structure for development, engineering, and construction oversight.
• Assist in recruiting and mentoring future project development team members.
• Serve as a key development interface for strategic customers, partners, and vendors.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• 7 years of data center development or related infrastructure development experience (cloud, AI/data processing, colocation, enterprise, digital infrastructure).
• Proven success leading site selection, power/fiber planning, permitting, and development execution.
• Strong understanding of data center design principles and operational readiness standards.
• Experience working with utilities, regulatory authorities, engineering firms, and EPCs.
• Preferred
• An engineering background (e.g., Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering) is highly desirable
• Existing relationships with utility providers, municipal authorities, and economic development councils in key markets.
• Experience with financial modeling and analysis for large-scale development projects
• Prior experience launching or scaling new development pipelines
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of project development processes and risk mitigation
• Ability to interpret technical and regulatory requirements
• Highly organized with experience driving multiple concurrent development efforts
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset; ability to work in an exploratory environment
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering (preferred), Construction Management, Real Estate, Urban Planning or related discipline required.
• Advanced degree or PMP certification a plus.
  
  

Growth Opportunity

This role will serve as a core development leader for Strata’s data center vertical with strong potential for advancement into future leadership roles as the company scales development efforts and builds a dedicated team.