Lead Counsel, Data Center Development

Meta; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 198,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Equal Employment Opportunity employer

Job summary

A leading technology company in Austin, Texas is seeking a Lead Counsel for Data Center Development. This role involves assisting in the expansion of data center campuses, managing real estate transactions, and coordinating with various legal teams. The ideal candidate should have a J.D. degree, active bar membership, and extensive experience in real estate development. The company offers a competitive benefits package and values diversity in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in real estate law.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under deadline pressure.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and expansion of data center campuses.
• Support operational issues related to existing data centers.
• Coordinate with legal colleagues focused on construction and energy procurement.

Skills

Managing large real-estate development transactions

Effective communication skills

Strategic thinking

Client counseling skills

Education

J.D. degree (or foreign equivalent)

Job description

Lead Counsel, Data Center Development

Meta seeks a highly motivated and experienced attorney to join the Real Estate, Construction and Energy Legal Team. This position will work closely with Meta’s Infrastructure Data Centers Strategy (IDCS) Team.

Base pay range: $198,000.00/yr – $266,000.00/yr

Responsibilities

• Assist Meta’s IDCS Team with the development and expansion of data center campuses in the U.S., including purchase of real property, negotiation of economic development incentives, acquisition of entitlements, and negotiation of infrastructure, development, and ancillary agreements. This may also involve drafting and negotiating data center leases.
• Support the IDCS Team on operational issues related to Meta’s portfolio of data center facilities and existing incentives.
• Coordinate with legal colleagues focused on the construction of and energy procurement for Meta’s U.S. data centers.
• Flag issues and seek guidance from other subject‑matter experts as needed (e.g., risk management, compliance, policy, finance, tax) to counsel the IDCS Team on the above areas.
• Advise the IDCS Team on strategic development, investment, and operational opportunities.
• Hire, closely manage, and direct outside counsel.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree (or foreign equivalent).
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar and eligibility to obtain registered in‑house counsel status (if required by the State Bar in the assigned work location).
• 5+ years of experience managing large real‑estate development transactions, including structuring, drafting, and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, development agreements, infrastructure agreements, and incentive agreements, and performing real‑estate due‑diligence activities (e.g., review of title documents, surveys, environmental reports).
• Solid business judgment and willingness to think strategically and solve unique legal challenges.
• Experience efficiently managing multiple projects simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Effective communication skills with experience working cross‑functionally and developing and maintaining productive and quality working relationships.
• Demonstrate business judgment and client counseling skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing outside counsel.
• Experience working at or with a technology company.

Benefits

Meta provides a competitive benefits package. Meta is an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. Meta participates in the E‑Verify program as required and offers reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.