Director Real Estate Site Selection Europe

Vantage Data Centers; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data center provider is seeking a Director for Real Estate Site Selection to manage their site acquisition strategy in Central Europe and the Nordics. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in site selection, strong commercial real estate expertise, and fluency in English plus a second language. This full-time role requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders and a willingness to travel. A competitive compensation package is offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement package

Paid leave benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience in site selection for large projects.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial real estate transaction processes.
• Proficient in financial presentations to executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify strategic land opportunities for data center development.
• Manage site selection and land acquisition negotiations.
• Represent the company to public authorities and stakeholders.

Skills

Site selection expertise

Commercial real estate knowledge

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in commercial real estate or related field

Tools

Power BI

ArcGIS

Job description

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.

Join our team and put your multilingual skills to work! Candidates are required to demonstrate fluency in English and professional proficiency in a second language - German, French, Spanish, or Swedish - to be considered for this role.

Site Selection & Acquisitions

The Site Selection & Acquisitions team is responsible for delivering quality sites for Vantage’s data center development. The team sources, evaluates, pre-qualifies and completes initial due diligence leading to site acquisitions that support Vantage’s data center business across EMEA. The team is highly cross-functional and collaborates with New Site Development, Design & Engineering, Sales, Operations, Legal, Finance and the Senior Leadership Team.

Position Overview

The Director, Real Estate Site Selection – Europe will lead Vantage’s site selection and acquisition strategy across key markets in Central Europe and the Nordics. This individual will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and securing strategic land opportunities for data center development. The role requires a seasoned professional with deep knowledge of the real estate landscape, strong business development acumen, and the ability to represent Vantage at the highest levels, including with public authorities, mayors, and C-level executives.

Essential Job Functions

• Identify and deliver quality sites suitable for Data Center development, both on Cloud and AI, in identified markets within key performance indicator targets regarding timing, project schedule, costs, and risks.

• Manage various aspects of site selection, land use approvals, negotiations with landowners, community outreach and entitlement process with local jurisdictions.

• Define and execute land acquisition and business development strategies across Central European and Nordics markets.

• Maintain responsibility for Seller engagement for all sites through the Design/Build/Operate cycle related to Site Selection functions.

• Down select sites, negotiate best-in-class commercial terms for acquisition and manage acquisition through closing and title registration.

• Lead site selection efforts, including due diligence, feasibility studies, and negotiations with landowners and brokers.

• Represent Vantage in front of public authorities, including city councils, mayors, and regional development agencies.

• Collaborate with internal teams (Legal, Engineering, Finance, Development) to ensure alignment and successful project execution.

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including utility providers, government bodies, and local communities.

• Secure incentives and support from public institutions in collaboration with the Director, Public Policy, EMEA.

• Provide regular updates to Vantage executive leadership on project status, risks, and opportunities.

• Transition projects to the New Development team once sites are secured and ready for development.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Minimum of +10 years’ experience in site selection for large, complex infrastructure projects.

• In depth knowledge and experience in commercial real estate/property transaction as a Director, with specific knowledge of entitlement, acquisitions and development processes

• Bachelor of Science degree in commercial real estate, surveying or Business Management Degree is preferred but not mandatory.

• Excellent analytical skills with deep understanding of real estate finance and discounted cash flow analysis. Ability to present financials and economics to C-level audience

• Ability to make effective presentations to senior Executives and high government/city council officials

• Able to work under pressure.

• Strong IT skills. Knowledge Power BI and ArcGIS tools preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written comprehension skills in English

• Ability to speak multiple languages besides English will be a plus (preferred German, French and Spanish)

• Excellent relationship building skills and stakeholder management

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

• Seniority Level – Director+

• Employment Type – Full time.

• Willing to travel within Europe up to 50% of the time.

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.