Data Center Lease Development Manager

Meta; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 202,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta is seeking a Data Center Lease Development Manager to lead the strategy and execution of large leased or colocation data center options. You will work with Site Selection and Engineering, coordinating with landlords, utilities, and internal teams to optimize terms and deployments for AI-era data centers.

The role requires 10+ years in data center leasing or related fields, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to manage cross-functional programs while traveling as needed (10–25%).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience in leased data center site selection, engineering, design, construction, contract management, or development.
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and represent business interests to executives.
• Experience coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical and communication skills to distill complex commercial, market, and contractual details.

Responsibilities

• Develop Meta’s leased and colocation data center strategy and manage site selection for due diligence and negotiations.
• Lead technical feasibility discussions with landlords, owners, and utilities.
• Serve as liaison between Meta Engineering and landlord SMEs to optimize solutions.
• Coordinate lease amendments in response to business changes.
• Negotiate letters of intent, lease and service agreements.
• Align with internal teams on key business terms.
• Develop metrics and tracking mechanisms.
• Manage supplier relationships and best practices.
• Perform market analysis and leasing site selection strategy.
• Stay informed on tech, market, and regulatory developments.
• Contribute to leasing standards and travel as needed (10–25%).

Skills

Lease negotiations

Site selection

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, paralegal studies, or a technical discipline

Job description

A qualified Data Center Lease Development Manager has extensive experience performing technical assessments, negotiating and administering large, complex data center lease transactions in the hyperscale space and an extensive knowledge of the legal agreements that accompany them. The Data Center Lease Development Manager will work with Site Selection Managers to think both strategically and analytically to develop out‑of‑the‑box solutions to find and execute on large lease options, developing new business models for AI deployment in leased spaces. The Data Center Lease Development Manager has deep knowledge of leased data center operations, including site selection, contract negotiation, and lease management and is experienced in navigating the challenges that accompany lease negotiations and lease management.

Responsibilities

• Develop Meta's leased and colocation data center location strategy and manage the site selection effort for technical due diligence, commercial negotiations and contract administration in that space, including partnering with teams focused on economic development incentives, energy and utilities, network connectivity, legal, policy, and financial considerations
• Develop and lead technical feasibility discussions and contract negotiations with landlords, property owners, and utility companies, and engineering teams
• Work as a primary conduit between Meta Engineering and Landlord SMEs in order to optimize solutions to fit the needs of our customers in an efficient manner
• Coordinate lease contract amendments in response to changes in business needs, improvements in business terms or processes, and/or feedback from engineering teams in the field
• Negotiate letters of intent, lease agreements, service agreements, and other facility‑specific agreements
• Partner with internal organizations, including capacity planning, site selection managers, energy teams, data center design, construction, network engineering, legal, policy, communications, and finance, to align on key business terms
• Develop ideas for improving metrics and tracking mechanisms
• Manage supplier relationships and best practices
• Perform market analysis and develop a leasing site selection strategy
• Stay informed about the technical, market, and regulatory developments in the data center industry
• Contribute to the organizational strategy and development of leasing standards at Meta
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed (10% to 25% at times)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, paralegal studies, or a technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in leased data center site selection, engineering, design, construction, contract management, and/or development of data centers or other large‑scale or mission‑critical capital projects
• Experience leading complex negotiations
• Experience representing business interests to the executive leadership of potential suppliers, utilities, and other stakeholders
• Experience managing multiple projects and coordinating with internal staff, consultants, vendors, and external stakeholders
• Analytical and communications skills with proven experience to effectively distill and communicate complex commercial, market, and contractual details to all organizational levels

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
• Advanced technical degree, a law degree, or an MBA
• Background in engineering, contract management, and understanding of leases, experience with data center leases
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Compensation

$202,000/year to $273,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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].