AI Data Center Development Lead

Nscale; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Nscale is seeking a Senior Development Manager to drive the development of AI data center sites across the Americas, progressing from site control through due diligence, entitlement, permitting, and Final Investment Decision (FID). You will own projects end-to-end, direct external consultants, and mentor junior team members while delivering speed to market.

You will manage diligence, entitlements, utility coordination, design, energy, and preconstruction workstreams, and be accountable for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or a relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 6+ years of related experience in data center, real estate, or infrastructure development, with a track record advancing complex projects from site selection toward construction
• Data center or mission-critical facility development experience strongly preferred
• Hands-on expertise across the development lifecycle — site control, due diligence, entitlements and permitting, and design coordination
• Experience managing development budgets and schedules and contributing to FID / capital approval packages
• Working knowledge of power and utility interconnection and its role in data center deliverability
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and external partners in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office tools
• Willingness to travel up to 25% based on business needs

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned AI data center development projects from site control through diligence, entitlement, and FID
• Develop and maintain project development plans, budgets, and schedules, driving speed-to-power and speed-to-market
• Run the development lifecycle day-to-day — site control, due diligence, entitlements, permitting, utility coordination, and design management
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams across Energy and Power, Design, Preconstruction, and Sales, escalating key risks and decisions to the Director
• Manage site due diligence — title, survey, geotechnical, environmental, zoning, and utility studies — identifying, tracking, and mitigating risks
• Support land acquisition and site-control transactions in partnership with Legal and external resources
• Execute entitlement and permitting strategy — managing applications, hearings, land-use counsel, and consultants to de-risk the path to FID
• Work with Energy and Power teams on utility interconnection and self-generation power procurement to validate deliverability
• Build and manage project development budgets and total development cost, supporting Preconstruction and Finance on capital planning and FID packages
• Track project milestones, costs, and risks, and maintain accurate, timely reporting for the Director and executive leadership
• Direct external consultants, engineers, and design partners through the development phase
• Contribute to standardization and continuous improvement of development processes, playbooks, and reporting
• Represent projects in internal reviews and in jurisdiction, utility, and partner meetings
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners, developers, brokers, utilities, and local authorities
• Mentor associates and analysts, providing day-to-day direction and supporting their professional development

Job description

Nscale is seeking a Senior Development Manager to drive the development of AI data center sites across the Americas, progressing from site control through due diligence, entitlement, permitting, and Final Investment Decision (FID). You will own projects end-to-end, direct external consultants, and mentor junior team members while delivering speed to market.

You will manage diligence, entitlements, utility coordination, design, energy, and preconstruction workstreams, and be accountable for