Strategy Lead for Hyperscale Data Center Development

Joe Amara Executive Search; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Joe Amara Executive Search is confidentially representing a rapidly scaling power infrastructure platform seeking a Director of Data Center Development. This leader will drive strategy, siting, commercial development, and external stakeholder coordination to transform power-rich sites into hyperscaler-ready digital infrastructure opportunities.

The role sits at the intersection of power generation, land strategy, and digital infrastructure commercialization, requiring a seasoned project

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in data center development, digital infrastructure real estate, or hyperscaler campus expansion.
• Proven track record developing data center assets from site control through early construction execution.
• Strong experience across site diligence, land strategy, utility coordination, fiber routing, and tenant/operator engagement.
• Deep understanding of hyperscaler requirements and data center commercial structures.
• Experience coordinating with engineering, civil, utility, fiber, and construction counterparties.
• Highly polished and commercial in front of sophisticated counterparties.
• Comfortable operating nationally across multiple ISO/RTO and utility environments.
• Experience integrating data center development with power-rich sites, renewable assets, or firm generation solutions is highly preferred.
• Ability to travel 20%-50%

Responsibilities

• Evaluate the company’s existing renewable and power generation portfolio to identify the most attractive sites for data center deployment.
• Develop location theses around MISO, ERCOT, SPP, PJM, and WECC opportunities, while expanding into new high-demand digital infrastructure markets.
• Lead early-stage feasibility efforts across land, access, power topology, fiber routes, water availability, permitting pathways, and tenant suitability.
• Prioritize projects based on speed-to-power, customer demand, interconnection optionality, and monetization structure.
• Advance data center projects from initial site strategy through diligence, commercial structuring, and construction readiness.
• Coordinate studies and external workstreams tied to fiber delivery, gas pipeline access, water usage, civil readiness, and utility interfaces.
• Partner with internal development, interconnection, and commercial teams to integrate data center workflows into existing generation assets.
• Support the structuring of behind-the-meter, grid-backed, renewable + storage, gas, and other firm power strategies.
• Originate relationships with hyperscalers and cloud platforms.
• Support customer conversations tied to commercial strategies such as land leases, JV-style development structures, develop /flip, or own/operate.
• Serve as a market-facing representative in discussions with tenants, developers, and strategic counterparties.
• Collaborate closely with project developers, land teams, transmission professionals, and commercial leadership.
• Bring specialized data center expertise that complements an already strong internal renewable and firm power bench

Skills

Data center development

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial development

Travel readiness

Job description

Joe Amara Executive Search is confidentially representing a rapidly scaling power infrastructure platform seeking a Director of Data Center Development. This leader will drive strategy, siting, commercial development, and external stakeholder coordination to transform power-rich sites into hyperscaler-ready digital infrastructure opportunities.

The role sits at the intersection of power generation, land strategy, and digital infrastructure commercialization, requiring a seasoned project