Senior Counsel - Real Estate

QTS Data Centers; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Bonus eligibility

Generous PTO

Volunteer days

Stock Purchase Plan

Holidays

Insurance

Sabbatical program

Service award

Parental leave

Military benefits

Matching gifts

Scholarship for dependents

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Senior Counsel, Real Estate to support acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and development activities across data center campuses.

You will draft and negotiate community benefit agreements, development agreements, and real estate transaction documents while coordinating with internal teams and outside counsel to manage complex deals and ensure regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
• Minimum of 5 years practicing law with substantial real estate development and economic development transactions.
• Experience drafting and negotiating community benefit agreements, development agreements and incentive documents.
• Experience drafting and negotiating real estate development documents including purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements and related transaction documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead drafting and negotiation of community benefit agreements and related development documents.
• Advise on zoning, land use, tax incentives and public‑private deal structures.
• Coordinate with internal teams and outside counsel on incentive and public‑approval matters.
• Manage multiple complex matters from diligence through closing.
• Develop templates, playbooks and processes to improve efficiency across real estate transactions.

Skills

Legal expertise in real estate

Real estate development

Negotiation

Drafting agreements

Zoning knowledge

Deal leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

It’s exhilarating to find yourself at a pivotal moment in history— and even more so to be leading the way. At QTS Data Centers, we are proud to stand at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. Our world-class data centers empower our customers’ most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us as a global leader in digital infrastructure.

As AI and cloud technologies fuel the demand for increased speed, capacity, and innovation, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader. We are committed to connecting the globe for good. Driven by purpose and a spirit of innovation, we design, build, and operate some of the most advanced data centers worldwide. In addition to our cutting-edge technology, we are dedicated to sustainability, incorporating renewable energy solutions to minimize our environmental footprint and drive meaningful impact. As a proud portfolio company of Blackstone, QTS is uniquely positioned to achieve ambitious growth and innovation goals.

At QTS, we are Powered by People. Our team members are the cornerstone of our culture, innovation, and growth. They are mission-driven, resourceful, and committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. Together, we’re achieving remarkable things and shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

And we’d like to invite you to join us.

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays
• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)
• 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked
• Pet and Legal Insurance
• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program
• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program
• Parental Leave for primary and secondary caregivers
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

Who We Are

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

Who You Are

The Senior Counsel, Real Estate is a member of the Legal team and reports to the Associate General Counsel, Real Estate. This attorney supports the company’s real estate and development activities and operations, including acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, zoning and land use, real estate finance, tax and development incentives, and economic development arrangements with state and local governments, economic development authorities and community stakeholders. The role provides direct support to the acquisition and development team and business units, and helps maintain compliance with relevant documents, as needed. This role is intended for an attorney with significant, hands‑on experience in two core areas: (a) drafting and negotiating economic development documents, including community benefit agreements and development agreements; and (b) drafting and negotiating real estate development documents, including transaction documents, easements and access agreements, together with the related title and survey review and assessment.

What You Will Do

• Economic Development Matters
• Lead the drafting and negotiation of community benefit agreements, community engagement and host community agreements, development agreements, economic development and incentive agreements, memoranda of understanding, performance and clawback agreements, and similar documents with municipalities, counties, economic development authorities, utilities and community groups.
• Advise on zoning, entitlements, land use, permitting, tax abatements, property and sales tax incentives, grants, tax increment financing, special service areas, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements, infrastructure commitments and other development incentive matters in coordination with outside counsel and the economic development and real estate investments teams.
• Advise the business on public‑private deal structures, public approval processes, community engagement and investment commitments and related risk allocation.
• Coordinate with development, tax, government affairs and real estate investment teams, and manage outside counsel and local special counsel on incentive and public‑approval matters.
• Help build and formalize the company’s approach to community benefit and community engagement agreements, including internal review, approval and tracking processes.
• Real Estate Development and Transactions
• Lead the drafting and negotiation of real estate purchase and sale agreements, options, ground and other non‑customer leases, and related transaction documents for acquisitions and development of data center campuses.
• Draft and negotiate easements, access agreements, licenses, utility and infrastructure agreements, restrictive covenants, reciprocal easement and similar agreements.
• Review and assess title commitments, title exceptions, surveys (including ALTA/NSPS surveys), zoning and land use reports, and related due diligence; negotiate title endorsements and resolve objections with title companies, surveyors and counterparties.
• Manage multiple concurrent deals and deal flow from diligence through closing, working closely with internal development and due diligence teams and managing outside counsel, counterparties, insurers and other third parties.
• Other Legal and Business Matters
• As company needs require, handle non‑real estate legal and general business matters, including commercial contracts.
• Provide sound legal and business judgment on matters including loans, equity raises, joint ventures, acquisitions, construction, reporting and compliance, and tax abatement‑related disputes.
• Develop and maintain templates, playbooks and processes that improve efficiency and consistency across real estate and incentive transactions.
• Other duties may be assigned.

What You Will Need To Be Successful

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing (in‑house counsel registration where applicable).
• A minimum of 5 years practicing law, with a substantial portion in real estate development and economic development transactions, at a law firm, in‑house, or both.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating community benefit agreements, development agreements, incentive agreements and similar economic development documents whether representing developers, public bodies or both.
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating real estate development documents, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, access agreements and related transaction documents.
• Substantial experience reviewing and assessing title commitments, exceptions and surveys, and resolving title and survey issues to protect the client’s development objectives.
• Working knowledge of zoning, land use, entitlement and real estate finance concepts.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously and meet tight deal timelines.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical and communication skills, with the judgment to translate legal risk into practical business advice.

Nice To Have

• Experience with large‑scale, infrastructure‑intensive or mission‑critical development projects, such as data centers, energy or industrial facilities.
• Experience with tax abatements and incentives, public financing tools, public approval processes and government and community stakeholder engagement.
• Experience with real estate finance, joint ventures and construction‑related agreements.
• Experience working in a multi‑jurisdictional practice and managing outside counsel and budgets.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Deal leadership: drives transactions from term sheet to closing with minimal supervision.
• Negotiation: balances business objectives and risk with public and community stakeholders and counterparties.
• Attention to detail: catches issues in title, survey and complex agreement language.
• Collaboration: works effectively with development, economic development, community engagement, finance, tax, government affairs and operations teams.
• Business judgment, adaptability and a strong sense of ownership.

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non‑discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is: $169,064.03 - 258,543.99

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non‑discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays
• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)
• 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked
• Pet and Legal Insurance
• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program
• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program
• Parental Leave for primary and secondary caregivers
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

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The Pay Transparency Policy Is Available Here

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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