Chief Power Officer

Joe Amara Executive Search; United States; On-site; USD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a rapidly growing digital infrastructure company, seeks a Chief Power Officer to lead the development of large-scale power generation projects supporting its U.S. data center portfolio.

The role focuses on behind-the-meter generation and fuels the expansion for hyperscale and AI infrastructure customers. You will build the power development organization, drive strategy, manage site selection, commercial evaluation, and asset monetization, while coordinating with data center,

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing large-scale power generation assets.
• Strong commercial judgment and ability to evaluate monetization options.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary development teams.
• Experience engaging utilities, IPPs, and infrastructure investors.
• Knowledge of natural gas-fired generation and related tech.
• Ability to balance fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments with risk management.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute U.S. power generation development strategy for hyperscale data centers.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance greenfield opportunities with site selection and feasibility.
• Lead commercial engagement with utilities and independent power producers.
• Develop behind-the-meter and islanded generation strategies.
• Build and lead a high-performing power development organization.
• Oversee project economics, risk, and resource management.

Skills

Power project development

Commercial judgment

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Job description

Our client is a rapidly growing digital infrastructure company seeking a Chief Power Officer to lead the development of large-scale power generation projects supporting its U.S. data center portfolio.

The organization has established capabilities in data center development, engineering, and construction and is expanding its focus on dedicated, behind-the-meter generation to address growing power requirements from hyperscale and AI infrastructure customers.

This executive will establish and lead the company’s power development strategy, identifying viable generation opportunities, advancing projects through early-stage development, and structuring assets for long-term ownership or potential acquisition by utilities and independent power producers.

The Chief Power Officer will lead the identification, evaluation, and development of large-scale power generation projects across multiple U.S. markets. The position requires a commercially oriented development executive with experience bringing complex generation projects from initial site identification through investment readiness and project execution.

Working closely with the company’s existing data center development, engineering, and construction teams, this leader will evaluate opportunities to deploy natural gas reciprocating engines, combustion turbines, and other appropriate generation technologies to support large-scale power requirements.

A central responsibility will be developing commercially viable generation assets that support customer demand while maintaining flexibility for potential utility or independent power producer ownership.

The executive will have the opportunity to establish and scale a dedicated power development organization, with responsibility for its strategy, performance, and financial accountability.

• Establish and execute the company’s U.S. power generation development strategy, supporting the expansion of hyperscale and AI data center infrastructure.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance greenfield power generation opportunities, including site selection, feasibility assessments, development planning, and commercial evaluation.
• Assess generation sites based on natural gas infrastructure, development feasibility, and long-term commercial marketability.
• Develop strategies for behind-the-meter and islanded power generation, incorporating reciprocating engines and larger-scale combustion turbine solutions.
• Lead commercial engagement with utilities, independent power producers, generation partners, and other stakeholders to evaluate project ownership and potential asset transactions.
• Advance projects through development milestones, coordinating commercial, technical, financial, and operational considerations to support investment decisions.
• Collaborate with internal data center development, engineering, construction, and commercial teams to align power availability with infrastructure delivery schedules.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve asset value through future interconnection potential, operational flexibility, and participation in broader power markets.
• Build and lead a high-performing power development organization, establishing team structure, development priorities, and financial performance expectations.
• Manage development risk, project economics, and organizational resources while maintaining the speed and flexibility required in a rapidly evolving market.

The strongest candidates will bring extensive experience developing large-scale power generation assets, strong commercial judgment, and a demonstrated ability to lead projects in entrepreneurial environments.

• Substantial experience in power generation development, preferably involving natural gas-fired generation, independent power producers, or major energy infrastructure platforms.
• Demonstrated success identifying, developing, and advancing large-scale generation projects through critical commercial and development milestones.
• Strong understanding of greenfield development, site selection, fuel supply infrastructure, transmission systems, and project feasibility.
• Commercial experience engaging utilities, IPPs, infrastructure investors, and other potential generation asset owners.
• Familiarity with natural gas generation technologies, including reciprocating engines and combustion turbines.
• Ability to evaluate development economics, commercial opportunities, project risks, and potential asset monetization strategies.
• Experience building and leading multidisciplinary development teams, establishing processes, and managing organizational performance.
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, construction, finance, and commercial stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to make informed decisions in a fast-moving environment.

Experience supporting power generation for hyperscale data centers is valuable but not required. Candidates with substantial utility-scale generation development experience will also be considered.

The incoming Chief Power Officer will establish a focused development strategy, evaluate the existing pipeline of generation opportunities, and prioritize projects based on technical feasibility, commercial attractiveness, and anticipated power delivery schedules.

An immediate priority will be identifying additional generation sites capable of supporting substantial data center demand, particularly those with access to natural gas infrastructure and major transmission corridors.

The executive will also establish relationships with utilities and IPPs, assess potential generation asset transactions, and begin building the team and organizational capabilities required to support long-term growth.