Data Center Development Manager

Meta; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta designs, builds, and operates data center infrastructure worldwide. We are seeking a Data Center Development Manager to join Global Site Development, driving site selection, entitlements, and development to deliver scalable, efficient data centers.

You will coordinate with internal teams and external partners, manage risks, and travel 25-50% to advance the portfolio. The role requires 5+ years in large infrastructure projects, with a focus on delivering on-time, high-quality data center

Qualifications

• Must have 5+ years of site development experience or equivalent in large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience coordinating with internal staff, external consultants, vendors and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with project management tools and software (e.g., Google Suite, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Drive the entitlements process (zoning, land use permitting) to meet project timelines.
• Lead diligence and development to vet sites using region-specific data and incentives.
• Organize communications and scalable processes to track on-time delivery with stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a directly related field or equivalent practical experience

Bachelor's degree in Business, Planning, Engineering, Science or Environmental management

Tools

Google Suite

Excel

PowerPoint

project management software

Job description

Summary

Meta designs, builds, and operates some of the most advanced and efficient data center infrastructure in the world. Ensuring that this infrastructure is available at the right place, at the right time, and at the right scale is critical to Meta's ability to serve billions of users across its family of apps and services. We are seeking an experienced Data Center Development Manager to join the Global Site Development organization, where you will play a central role in enabling the data center buildout of the future. This is a high-impact, highly collaborative position where you'll work alongside partners in site selection, infrastructure planning, and construction – bringing together diverse perspectives and balancing speed-to-market, project flexibility, and capital efficiency to deliver projects that keep Meta's data center portfolio ahead of demand. If you're a results-driven project manager who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution, loves solving complex development problems with great people, and want your work to have tangible, world-scale impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Required Skills

Data Center Development Manager Responsibilities

1. Drive the entitlements process (e.g., zoning, land use permitting) to ensure accurate and timely submission and execution of the necessary site entitlements and permits to meet project timelines
2. Lead the diligence and development process to vet prospective sites and assess site risks and opportunities by analyzing regional and site - specific information pertaining to (i) permitting and land use data (ii) information regarding federal, state and local taxes and incentives (iii) data on energy (including renewable energy), water and wastewater availability and cost (iv) network connectivity (v) natural hazard, floodplain and climatological data (vi) legal, physical risk and financial implications
3. Take the lead role in organizing communications by creating scalable processes with and tracking progress towards on-time delivery of projects by key internal and external stakeholders in support of the site selection effort, including capacity planning, data center design and construction, external consulting partners, network engineering, legal, tax, policy and finance
4. Work with Site Selection Manager and other key project team members to ensure alignment among all internal stakeholders and to find smart ways to overcome obstacles in the site development process
5. Support the preparation of project recommendations for presentation to management for approval
6. Support the development of Meta's near and long-term data center location and leased portfolio strategy
7. Support a portfolio of existing sites under construction or in operations to facilitate on time and quality delivery and development of the site that meets permit requirements and local expectations
8. Track and monitor ongoing site development including agreement management
9. Develop scalable, efficient tools and processes to improve delivery and communication for data center site development
10. This role requires 25-50% travel

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, or equivalent practical experience
2. Bachelor's degree in Business, Planning, Engineering, Science or Environmental management
3. 5+ years of site development experience, or equivalent experience managing large scale, complex infrastructure projects
4. Experience in managing multiple projects and coordinating with internal staff and external consultants, vendors and other stakeholders
5. Experience with a range of project management tools and software, (eg. Google Suite, Excel, project management software, PowerPoint, etc)

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in large and complex infrastructure projects
2. Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
3. Advanced technical degree, law degree, or MBA
4. Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
5. Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
6. Experience with planning, land use diligence and engineering, and entitlements processes

Public Compensation

$170,000/year to $238,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Industry

Internet

Equal Opportunity

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].