Head of AI Data Center Development & Site Strategy

Nscale; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Nscale is seeking a Director, Data Center Development to lead end-to-end development of new AI data center sites across the Americas — from origination and site control through entitlement, design coordination, and partnership with construction for ultimate delivery.

You will own a portfolio of development projects and lead a team of internal reports and external consultants delivering Nscale's speed to market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of related experience in data center, real estate, or infrastructure development, with a track record advancing complex projects.
• Data center or mission-critical facility development experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise across the development lifecycle—site control, due diligence, entitlements and permitting, and design coordination.
• Experience managing development budgets, schedules, and total development cost, and preparing FID/capital approval packages.
• Working knowledge of power and utility interconnection and its role in data center deliverability.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a development team responsible for advancing a portfolio of AI data center sites from origination through diligence and FID.
• Own project development strategy, budgets, and schedules across the portfolio.
• Manage the full development lifecycle—site control, due diligence, entitlements, permitting, and utility coordination.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams across Energy and Power, Design, Preconstruction, and Sales.
• Direct site due diligence and lead land acquisition and site-control efforts with Legal and external resources.
• Manage entitlement and permitting strategy and schedule with jurisdictions and consultants.
• Develop and manage integrated development budgets and total development cost with Preconstruction and Finance.
• Track milestones, costs, and risks; report status to exec leadership.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Project scheduling

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or equivalent

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Nscale is seeking a Director, Data Center Development to lead end-to-end development of new AI data center sites across the Americas — from origination and site control through entitlement, design coordination, and partnership with construction for ultimate delivery.

You will own a portfolio of development projects and lead a team of internal reports and external consultants delivering Nscale's speed to market.