Senior Manager, Land Acquisition - Data Centers

This role requires Data Center site selection or acquisition experience and is based in Dallas, TX or remotely in Texas. 

Our client is seeking a Senior Manager, Real Estate Site Selection, Acquisition and Development to join a growing team in the data center infrastructure space. This role will shape location strategy, drive end-to-end site selection, negotiate land acquisition contracts, and manage due diligence to build a pipeline of construction-ready data center sites.

The Senior Manager will work directly with landowners, investors, data center developers, local jurisdictions, land use attorneys, and consultants to navigate real estate entitlements and successfully acquire and develop new sites.

Our client is looking for an ambitious self-starter with strong verbal and written communication skills, technical fluency, sharp organizational instincts, and a strategic mindset who can thrive in a fast-moving environment with limited direction. This individual must operate with the highest level of integrity when engaging landowners, communities, and government officials, and embody a deep commitment to responsible and environmentally respectful site selection.

What You Will Do:

Site Selection & Development

• Lead land development efforts across new projects from identification through acquisition
• Assess and manage entitlement processes including rezonings and land use permitting
• Collaborate with commercial and technical teams to identify and pursue new site opportunities aligned with data center growth needs
• Develop site plans that deliver best-in-class outcomes consistent with market conditions
• Support infrastructure improvement strategies and coordinate with internal and external design and development partners

Due Diligence & Technical Coordination

• Build and lead teams of vendors and consultants to evaluate site feasibility
• Manage engineering consultants through technical due diligence stages and translate findings into actionable commercial strategies
• Understand design engineering requirements and develop solutions that meet both design and business objectives
• Participate in the full construction process across building, power, and site utilities

Stakeholder & Government Relations

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local government officials and community stakeholders
• Lead entitlement processes and participate in local meetings and hearings
• Manage communications with a broad range of stakeholders including landowners, utility representatives, economic development officers, vendors, legal counsel, and internal executives

Contract & Transaction Management

• Lead complex contract negotiations across multiple concurrent projects
• Prepare transaction summaries for senior leadership covering progress, financial approvals, and deal economics
• Develop project summaries and strategy presentations for internal teams and external stakeholders
• Support development of repeatable processes, standards, and tools for site selection, acquisition, and contracting

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work across Design Engineering, Legal, Tax, External Affairs, Policy and Regulatory, and Construction teams to inform project and real estate strategy
• Partner with developers and local jurisdictions throughout the project lifecycle

What Our Client Is Looking For:

Required

• 5+ years of experience in site selection, project management, or development of data centers, real estate, or large infrastructure/capital projects
• 5+ years negotiating and executing business agreements
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience managing relationships with governments, utilities, suppliers, and other stakeholders
• Ability to communicate commercial, market, and contractual details clearly to leadership
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional programs and coordinate complex schedules
• Strong negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail with the ability to work independently and deliver results with limited direction
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Salesforce is a plus
• Willingness to travel as required

Preferred

• Experience negotiating complex agreements with working knowledge of legal terminology
• Ability to interpret technical or engineering data and translate findings into business recommendations

What Our Client Offers:

• A meaningful role in the fast-expanding data center industry powering global digital infrastructure
• A collaborative culture built on accountability, respect, and excellence
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, mental health resources, and an employee assistance program
• Competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and a 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and paid holidays