Data Center Site Selection Manager

Meta; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 202,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Meta designs, builds, leases, and operates high-performance data centers. The Site Selection Manager will lead the site selection for new data center developments, negotiate complex real estate and power contracts, and coordinate with legal, finance, energy, and design teams to drive scalable, cost-efficient deployments.

Successful candidates will have deep experience in large real estate negotiations, strong financial modeling, and the ability to present data-driven recommendations to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 12+ years of experience in site selection and data center or similar infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading real estate negotiations and contract formation/negotiations.
• Experience representing business interests to governments, utilities, and stakeholders.
• Experience managing large development projects with cross-functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication of commercial, market, and contractual details.

Responsibilities

• Develop Meta's data center location strategy and manage site selection for real estate.
• Lead feasibility discussions and contract negotiations with service providers, property owners, and utilities.
• Negotiate letters of intent, land/building purchases, incentives, and other site agreements.
• Coordinate with internal teams (capacity planning, design, legal, finance) to support site development.
• Present location recommendations to management for approval and track portfolio metrics.
• Travel domestically 25–50% to site locations and manage external vendors as needed.

Skills

Site selection

Real estate negotiations

Contract negotiations

Public speaking

Financial modeling

Stakeholder management

Communications

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Meta designs, builds, leases, and operates high-performance, efficient data centers. Locating, developing and managing this data center infrastructure in a way that ensures reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency is synonymous with ensuring high uptime, capacity availability, flexibility and capital and operational cost efficiency. Meta is seeking an experienced, organized, and collaborative Site Selection Manager to join the Data Center Site Selection team.We are seeking a Data Center Site Selection Manager who has extensive experience negotiating large, complex deals and an extensive knowledge of the legal agreements that accompany them. The Data Center Site Selection Manager should also have experience thinking both strategically and analytically, develop out-of-the box solutions and can navigate the challenges that accompany leasing projects and portfolios of large magnitude.Data Center Site Selection Manager Responsibilities:Develop Meta's owned data center location strategy in assigned geography and manage the site selection effort for real estate, including partnering with teams focused on economic development incentives, energy and utilities, network connectivity, legal, policy, and financial considerationsLead feasibility discussions and contract negotiations with service providers, property owners, economic development agencies, and utility companiesNegotiate letters of intent, land or building purchases, economic development incentives, water and sewer supply, and other site-specific agreements, and support power negotiationsPartner with internal organizations, including capacity planning, energy teams, data center design, construction, network engineering, legal, policy, communications, and financePrepare project location recommendations and present them to management for approvalDevelop portfolio management metrics and tracking mechanismsMaintain relationships with communities and service providers in support of Meta's data center developments, monitor ongoing contractual commitments, and support the expansion of Meta's existing data centers through the extension of existing agreements or the formation of new agreementsManage external vendors as required to facilitate site development work at data center sitesTravel domestically (25-50%)Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, or equivalent practical experience12+ years of experience in site selection and data center or other capital project or infrastructure developmentExperience leading real estate negotiations, including contract formation and contract negotiationsExperience in representing business interests to governments (state, county, and local), utilities, potential suppliers, and other stakeholdersExperience in managing large real estate development projects and coordinating with internal staff, consultants, vendors, and external stakeholdersExperience in communicating commercial, market, and contractual details to all organizational levelsExperience working with detailed financial models of data center projects and transactions, identifying key risks and sensitivities, and leading all related due diligence efforts (financial, commercial, technical, and development)Experience representing business interests to the leadership teams of potential suppliers, strategic markets, energy suppliers, and other stakeholdersExperience communicating complex commercial, technical, and contractual information clearly in writing and presentations to stakeholders at all organizational levelsProficiency in standard document and analytics platformsPreferred Qualifications:Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologiesExperience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)Experience in hyperscale data center site selection or leasing negotiationAn advanced technical degree in a relevant field, or a law degreeAbout 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.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].$202,000/year to $273,000/year + bonus + equity + benefitsIndividual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.