Director, Land Development (Data Centers)

RELATED; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Discretionary bonus incentives

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

A leading data center development firm is seeking a Director of Land Development based in the U.S. The role involves overseeing all aspects of data center site selection, entitlement, and development strategy. Candidates should possess 7–10 years of related experience, strong negotiation skills, and a proven track record in delivering large-scale projects. This position offers a competitive salary starting at $200,000 plus bonuses, and is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of data center infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in data center development including site selection.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of zoning laws and permitting processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee lifecycle of data center development projects from site selection to commissioning.
• Manage negotiations for land acquisition, zoning approvals, and entitlements.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies for compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Financial acumen

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Business, or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Responsibilities

The Director of Land Development will lead all aspects of data center site selection, entitlement, permitting, and development strategy. This role requires extensive experience in real estate development, power procurement, and regulatory compliance for large-scale mission‑critical facilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of executing complex projects, managing cross‑functional teams, and working with local and state regulatory bodies to streamline development timelines. This position will be based in New York or Dallas.

We’ll trust you to:

• Oversee the full lifecycle of data center development projects, from site selection to commissioning.
• Manage negotiations for land acquisition, zoning approvals, entitlements, and utility agreements.
• Develop and execute strategies to secure power, water, and fiber infrastructure for new sites.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and permitting efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal engineering, construction, and operations teams to align development efforts with business objectives.
• Assess financial feasibility, risk management, and budgeting for large‑scale projects.
• Drive sustainability initiatives in site selection and design, including renewable energy sourcing and carbon footprint reduction.
• Identify and evaluate new markets for expansion, providing data‑driven recommendations to executive leadership.
• Manage third‑party consultants, including real estate brokers, legal teams, and environmental specialists.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in data center development including site selection.
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Proven track record of successfully delivering large‑scale mission‑critical infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of zoning laws, permitting processes, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience securing power and fiber infrastructure for hyperscale or enterprise data centers.
• Ability to lead negotiations and execute contracts with landowners, utility providers, and government entities.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and risk assessment.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will be eligible to receive discretionary bonus incentives and a comprehensive benefits package.

Anticipated base salary range: $200,000 +

Actual base salary within the anticipated range will be determined by several components including but not limited to the individual's experience, skills, qualifications, and market factors.

Overview

Related Digital is a leading vertically integrated data center development and investment platform. We deliver digital infrastructure solutions to hyperscale technology companies so they can accelerate artificial intelligence and cloud computing ambitions.

Founded by Related Companies, one of the most prominent, privately‑owned real estate development firms in the United States, Related Digital uniquely combines Related’s 50‑year+ history of executing complex real estate and infrastructure projects with its track record in real estate investing and clean energy solutions. With a multi‑billion‑dollar, near‑term development pipeline in the U.S., Related Digital has the expert capabilities, depth of expertise and national scale to help hyperscale companies significantly grow their data center capacity on a rapid timeframe.

Strategic Advantage:

Related Digital harnesses expertise across real estate development and investment, data center development, complex infrastructure construction and clean energy development to bring differentiated solutions to hyperscale technology companies.

National Footprint:

Related Digital is based in New York and Dallas with operations across the United States. Related Companies has offices in gateway cities across the U.S. and London, and developments in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and boasts 4,000 employees.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are deliberate about the team and culture we are building. We aim to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, workplace geography, and market standards.

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