Director, Site Selection and Acquisition, NA

New Site Development Department 

The Market Development (MD) team is responsible for 4 key functions within the North American business: 1) Market Strategy, 2) Site Selection & Acquisition, 3) New Site Development and 4) Preconstruction. The team drives the business plans and execution of our geographic and vertical market expansions across North America.

We are at the front-end of the process of ensuring we have the critical capacity required to meet the evolving requirements of our wholesale and hyperscale customer base. We evaluate supply, demand, pricing, network, power, and a myriad of other factors when developing our market and site plans. We then acquire sites that align with those plans.

The team collaborates with Commercial Management, Sales, Solution Engineering, Design Engineering, Construction, Operations, Finance, and Senior Management along the way. We also help ensure optimal revenue realization post-construction through development of commercial constructs and pricing that aligns to the objectives of both Vantage and our customers.

Position Overview 

This role can be based in any of our US locations: Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Clara, CA; Ashburn, VA; or can be based remotely.

#LI-Remote #LI-HM1 

Vantage is looking for a Real Estate professional to drive the identification and selection of new data center campuses, in line with corporate goals and changing customer demands. This role is responsible for a single key function in the Vantage Market Development team by leading the Site Selection team on the east coast. The right leader will oversee site selection in the east, contribute to market evaluation, and at the appropriate time transition sites to the New Site Development Team for development & entitlements after successful site acquisition. Key elements of the role include site selection for specific regions or markets, identifying large industrial estates capable of supporting hyperscale data center campuses, and interfacing with other members of the Market Development team.  

Constant communication with Market Development, Sales, Marketing, New Site Development, and subject matter experts will be required to keep pace with Vantage’s strategic land acquisition (banking) goals, including enhancing Vantage’s product and service offering wherever possible. Collaboration and integration in the sales lifecycle process including client interface is integral to the role as well.  

Essential Job Functions 

Site Selection & Acquisition: 

• Lead all aspects of site selection, real estate negotiation, landowner & broker site discussions, deal lifecycle, and oversee all covered real-estate before handoff to New Site Development.   

• Track and monitor a volume of sophisticated real estate transactions including the acquisition of freehold, leasehold, or fee simple ownership interest in land and/or buildings; includes tracking competitor & relevant market land data in target markets across North America.   

• Author Letters of Intent & Purchase agreements from templates or modify with VDC Legal from inbound seller drafts.  

• Serve as the primary point of contact for brokers, landowners, and consultants, coordinating initial site assessments and securing new site information. 

• Coordinate with local real estate brokers and consultants who will assist in locating properties.  

Real Estate Transactions Management: 

• Oversee all closing activities, including procurement of title, environmental, and vital insurance requirements. Ensure all payment terms and conditions met by internal teams to close on time; Coordinate with internal and external legal teams on filing all required documentation, i.e., transfer of deeds of trust, title, property, etc. in compliance with Sales and Purchase Agreement and local regulatory and legal requirements.  

• For covered real-estate assets, procure and manage qualified property management contracts for duration of pre-development period; oversee all P&L cashflows and procure leases with brokers if required. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

• Assist Leadership Team with evaluation and selection of new sites for data center assets, for the purpose of acquiring and developing into a Vantage Data Center property.   

• Transition sites to the VDC New Site Development team following acquisition.   

• Work with internal Assistant General Counsel to assist with development-related agreements.  

• Provide ongoing support to the New Development and Construction teams from concept to shovel-ready state, ensuring all project requirements are met across Vantage’s North American portfolio. 

Market Research & Due Diligence: 

• Obtain and analyze key market metrics, data, and site details for identified markets, completing initial site assessments and due diligence for internal review. 

• Stay up to date with real estate legislation and anticipated changes to ensure compliance throughout the acquisition process. 

Project Reporting & Risk Management: 

• Report on the status of all site selection projects to senior leadership, including risks, schedules, budgets, and quality. 

• Lead and coordinate any post-close obligations with internal stakeholders (New Site Development, Construction, Operations) to ensure successful project handover. 

Additional Duties: 

• Handle additional duties as assigned by Management. 

Job Requirements 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Commercial or Industrial Real Estate required. 

Experience: 

• Senior level with minimum 7 years’ experience in real estate acquisition & site selection required; 9+ years preferred.  

• Extensive experience negotiating real estate purchase & sale agreements strongly preferred.  

• Data Center experience is strongly preferred, but not required; at a minimum, extensive commercial and industrial real estate experience required.  

Skills: 

• Working proficiency or fluency in French not required, but advantageous.  

• Excellent analytical skills with understanding of real estate finance and discounted cash flow analysis.  

• Strong IT skills: ability to use multiple communication tools and packages essential.  

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills at all levels of the organization and with other stakeholders and third parties such as suppliers and real estate brokers.  

• Flexible, adaptable, and self-directed; able to work in a variety of circumstances, e.g.: remotely, while traveling, across multiple time zones, cross functionally, by project, etc.  

• Domestic and International (Canada) Travel required is expected to be up to 40% but may increase over time as the business evolves. 

Physical Demands and Special Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Additional Details 

• Salary Range: $190,000 - $210,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations) 

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits. 

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.