Director of Site Acquisition & Development - Data Center

Title: Director of Site Acquisition & Development

Location: United Kingdom

Package: £150,000 - £250,000 (neg) + 20-25% bonus

Responsibilities:

• Lead all phases of development for data center projects, from site selection through project handoff.
• Oversee land acquisition, due diligence, and negotiation of purchase agreements.
• Manage permitting and entitlement processes to ensure timely approvals.
• Coordinate site and facility design with engineering and construction teams.
• Develop and maintain utility interconnection strategies for power and fiber.
• Prepare and present business cases for executive review and approval.
• Support product development and sales initiatives with accurate site data and timelines.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities for expansion.
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, utility providers, and regional stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with zoning, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor project budgets and financial performance throughout development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with legal on contract negotiations and risk mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to long-term location strategy and portfolio planning.
• Implement best practices for development processes and reporting.
• Develop and maintain project timelines and critical path schedules to ensure on-time delivery.
• Lead stakeholder engagement sessions to align development objectives with corporate priorities.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform site selection and investment decisions.
• Manage third-party consultants for environmental studies, geotechnical surveys, and traffic impact assessments.
• Support executive leadership in strategic planning and quarterly business reviews.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in real estate development, site acquisition, or infrastructure development, preferably in mission-critical or data center environments.
• Strong knowledge of permitting, zoning, and entitlement processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex negotiations and multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Familiarity with utility interconnections and infrastructure planning.
• Excellent financial acumen and ability to prepare executive-level business cases.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across different geographies.
• Effective communication and presentation skills for executive and external audiences.
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Ability to travel frequently to project sites and regional offices.
• Experience working with local authorities and regulatory agencies.
• PMP or equivalent certification is a plus.
• Experience managing consultants and external service providers.
• Ability to interpret environmental and geotechnical reports for development planning.
• Proficiency in development management tools and financial modeling software.