Director Digital Assets

Harrison Street Asset Management; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 220,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical benefits

Wellness programs

Job summary

Harrison Street Asset Management, headquartered in Chicago, seeks an Investment Director of Digital Transactions and Asset Management to drive performance of a data center portfolio, lead underwriting, acquisitions, and capital markets activity.

The role requires 8+ years in real estate investment with direct data center experience, frequent travel, and a compensation package including a base salary of $220,000–$300,000 plus discretionary bonus and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (real estate and finance concentrations preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in real estate investment, asset management, infrastructure, or private equity with direct data center or mission‑critical facilities experience
• Demonstrated expertise in data center operations including power, cooling, network infrastructure, leasing, and tenant requirements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Thorough understanding of business software (Excel at minimum - Argus preferred)
• This position requires frequent travel to visit properties, property managers, and operating partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial and operational performance of a national and/or international portfolio of data center assets, driving NOI growth and long‑term value creation
• Develop and execute asset‑level business plans, including leasing strategies, capital improvement programs, power optimization, and redevelopment initiatives
• Monitor and optimize asset performance across occupancy, lease performance, operating expenses, PUE, and return on invested capital
• Manage relationships with data center operators, developers, and partners, ensuring governance and strategic alignment
• Collaborate with internal teams and third‑party managers to ensure operational excellence and alignment with investment objectives
• Prepare asset and portfolio‑level reporting, forecasts, and performance updates for senior leadership and investors
• Stay current on data center market trends, tenant demand dynamics, power availability, and tech developments to inform asset strategy

Skills

Strong communication

Analytical thinking

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in real estate or finance

Tools

Excel

Argus

Job description

Harrison Street Asset Management ("HSAM") is a leading global alternative investment management firm focused on real estate, infrastructure, and credit strategies across North America and Europe. Headquartered in Chicago, Toronto, and London with offices across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the firm has over $108 billion in assets under management on behalf of institutional investors and registered investment advisors globally. Founded on a culture of innovation, HSAM is an early mover in alternative real estate and mid‑market infrastructure. Today, the firm’s global team, consisting of more than 520 professionals, is committed to creating long‑term value through deep sector expertise and forward‑thinking strategies.

Join a high‑performing team deploying capital in one of the fastest‑growing real‑estate sectors.

As an Investment Director of Digital Transactions and Asset Management, you'll drive the performance and optimization of a data center portfolio. This role carries responsibility for transactions underwriting and execution as well as financial and operational performance of assets, driving value creation, and ensuring alignment with broader investment strategies and risk management parameters.

The ideal candidate

Has deep experience in the data center sector with prior roles in underwriting, acquisitions, leasing, financing, power infrastructure, construction oversight, and hyperscale/enterprise tenant dynamics. The ideal candidate will be well‑versed in partnering across multiple functional areas including portfolio management and capital markets.

Job Description

The Director is responsible for driving asset‑level performance and value creation, while also leading and supporting acquisitions, developments, and capital markets activity.

Responsibilities

Asset Management & Portfolio Performance

• Lead the financial and operational performance of a national and/or international portfolio of data center assets, driving NOI growth, tenant satisfaction, and long‑term value creation.
• Develop and execute detailed asset‑level business plans, including leasing strategies, capital improvement programs, power optimization, risk management, and redevelopment or expansion initiatives.
• Monitor and optimize asset performance across key metrics including occupancy, lease performance, operating expenses, power usage effectiveness (PUE), and return on invested capital.
• Manage relationships with data center operating and development partners, overseeing performance, governance, and strategic alignment.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (development, engineering, ESG, finance, legal) and third‑party property and facility managers to ensure operational excellence and alignment with investment objectives.
• Prepare and present asset and portfolio‑level reporting, forecasts, and performance updates for senior leadership, Investment Committee, and institutional investors.
• Stay current on data center market trends, tenant demand dynamics (hyperscale and enterprise), power availability, sustainability considerations, and technological developments to inform asset strategy.

Transactions, Acquisitions & Capital Deployment

• Lead and support the origination, underwriting, and execution of data center acquisitions, developments, and structured investments.
• Execute transaction processes including due diligence, financial modeling, deal structuring, negotiation, and preparation of Investment Committee materials.
• Work with Partners and Capital Markets on a range of transaction strategies, including:
  • Entity‑level investments and programmatic joint ventures with operating partners
  • Portfolio acquisitions
  • Opportunistic development and redevelopment
  • Loan acquisitions and workouts
  • Provide asset‑level and market insight to inform acquisition and disposition decisions.
  • Support capitalization strategies, financing, and dispositions in coordination with Portfolio Management and Capital Markets teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (real estate and finance concentrations preferred);
• 8+ years of experience in real estate investment, asset management, infrastructure, or private equity, with direct data center or mission‑critical facilities experience required.
• Demonstrated expertise in data center operations, including power, cooling, network infrastructure, leasing, and tenant requirements.
• Core knowledge of real estate investment and finance principles, as well as a working understanding of real estate accounting;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to draw conclusions from research and data analysis and communicate them concisely and effectively;
• Thorough understanding of business software (Excel at minimum - Argus preferred).

This position requires frequent travel to visit properties, property managers, and operating partners.

$220,000 - $300,000 a year For Illinois Only: The expected base salary range for this position is $220,000 to $300,000. Actual salaries may vary based on a number of factors, including skills, experience, and qualifications. In addition to base salary, total compensation at Harrison Street includes a generous discretionary bonus, along with a comprehensive range of benefits — including medical, financial, and wellness programs — designed to support our employees both professionally and personally.

Harrison Street is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

If you require accessibility assistance applying for open positions, please contact our ADA Accessible Line at [phone] or [email protected]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.