Director, Site Selection & Acquisition, NA

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Market Development Department

The Market Development (MD) team is responsible for 4 key functions within the North American business : 1) Market Strategy, 2) Site Selection & Acquisition, 3) New Site Development and 4) Preconstruction. The team drives the business plans and execution of our geographic and vertical market expansions across North America. We are at the front-end of the process of ensuring we have the critical capacity required to meet the evolving requirements of our wholesale and hyperscale customer base. We evaluate supply, demand, pricing, network, power, and a myriad of other factors when developing our market and site plans. We then acquire sites that align with those plans. The team collaborates with Commercial Management, Sales, Solution Engineering, Design Engineering, Construction, Operations, Finance, and Senior Management along the way. We also help ensure optimal revenue realization post-construction through development of commercial constructs and pricing that aligns to the objectives of both Vantage and our customers.

Position Overview

Vantage seeks a highly motivated and agile Director, Site Selection to join their dynamic team. This role is highly preferred to be based in any of our US locations central or east : Denver, CO; Ashburn, VA , New Albany, OH (Columbus). May consider specific experienced candidates to remote-home with more travel if located in central US with immediate access to major airport if not in one of our data center locations.

This role is a proven Real Estate professional that will drive the identification and selection of new data center campuses, in line with corporate goals and changing customer demands. This role is responsible for a single key function in the Vantage Market Development team by leading the Site Selection team with remit east of Denver . This could include Midwest (north / south) and potentially to east coast. The right leader will oversee site selection anywhere east of Denver, contribute to market evaluation, and at the appropriate time transition sites to the New Site Development Team for development & entitlements after successful site acquisition. Key elements of the role include site selection for specific regions or markets, identifying large industrial estates capable of supporting hyperscale data center campuses, and interfacing with other members of the Market Development team.

Constant communication with Market Development, Sales, Marketing, New Site Development, and subject matter experts will be required to keep pace with Vantage's strategic land acquisition (banking) goals, including enhancing Vantage's product and service offering wherever possible. Collaboration and integration in the sales lifecycle process including client interface is integral to the role as well.

Essential Job Functions

Assist Head of Site Selection, Head of Market Development and Leadership Team with evaluation and selection of new sites for data center assets, for the purpose of acquiring and developing into a Vantage Data Center property.

Lead all aspects of site selection, real estate negotiation, landowner & broker site discussions.

Track and monitor a volume of sophisticated real estate transactions including the acquisition of freehold, leasehold, or fee simple ownership interest in land and / or buildings; includes tracking competitor & relevant market land data in target markets across North America.

Duties :

Play a leading role, with Market Development & Sales, to identify and select new sites in existing and new markets in line with VDC strategy, including leading negotiation and acquisition of new sites.

Coordinate with local real estate brokers and consultants who will assist in locating properties.

Serve as the point of initial contact in receiving new site information from brokers and landowners.

Work with internal Assistant General Counsel to assist with negotiation of acquisition-related agreements.

Oversee all closing activities : Procure title, environmental, and other vital insurance; Ensure all payment terms and conditions met by internal teams to close on time; Coordinate with internal and external legal teams on filing all required documentation, i.e., transfer of deeds of trust, title, property, etc. in compliance with Sales and Purchase Agreement and local regulatory and legal requirements.

Provide support to the New Site Development and Construction teams from concept through shovel ready state across Vantage's North American portfolio.

Report status of all projects in the Site Selection portfolio (risks, schedule, quality, and budget) to senior leadership.

Obtain and analyze key metrics, data, and market details for identified markets and sites, complete initial site assessments, and diligence packages for internal review.

Coordinate any post-close obligations with relevant stakeholders internal to VDC e.g., New Site Development, Construction and Operations.

Additional Duties :

Handle additional duties as assigned by Management.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in commercial or industrial real estate preferred.

Extensive experience negotiating real estate purchase & sale agreements strongly preferred.

Senior level with minimum 7 years' experience in real estate acquisition & site selection required; 9+ years preferred.

Data Center and / or powered land experience is strongly preferred, but not required; at a minimum, extensive commercial and industrial real estate experience required.

Excellent analytical skills with understanding of real estate finance.

Strong IT skills : ability to use multiple communication tools and packages essential.

Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills at all levels of the organization and with other stakeholders and third parties such as suppliers and real estate brokers.

Flexible, adaptable, and self-directed; able to work in a variety of circumstances, e.g. : remotely, while traveling, across multiple time zones, cross functionally, by project, etc.

Domestic will be required on a regular basis in 2025 (up to 50%). Scheduling travel is up to the individual to manage. Travel one full week at a time, with weeks of non-travel OR have shorter trips with travel more frequently.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

Salary Range : $200,000-220,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

#LI-Onsite

#LI-TS1

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We'll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon-we're excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!