Vice President, Site Selection, NA

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another's experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Market 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 Denver, CO or Ashburn, VA.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President of Site Selection to lead our efforts in identifying, evaluating, and securing optimal locations for our data center facilities. This executive role is responsible for leading the Site Selection team, overseeing all aspects of site selection, real estate negotiation, and the transition of sites to the New Site Development Team. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the data center industry and a proven track record in complex real estate transactions.

Essential Job Functions

• Strategic Site Selection:

  • Lead the evaluation and selection of new data center sites in existing and emerging markets, in line with Vantage's strategic objectives.

  • Identify large industrial estates capable of supporting hyperscale data center campuses

• Real Estate Negotiation:

  • Oversee all aspects of real estate negotiations, including landowner and broker discussions, deal lifecycle management, and ensuring compliance with all terms and conditions.

  • Sign off on Letters of Intent and Purchase Agreements, authored by the team, and coordinate with internal and external legal teams on closing activities.

• Market Evaluation and Monitoring:

  • Oversee the tracking and monitoring of sophisticated real estate transactions, including acquisition of freehold, leasehold, or fee simple ownership interest in land and/or buildings.

  • Review key metrics, data, and market details for identified markets and sites, and complete initial site assessments and diligence packages for internal review.

• Collaboration and Communication:

  • Collaborate with Market Development, Sales, Marketing, New Site Development, and subject matter experts to align land acquisition goals with corporate strategy.

• Process Implementation and Improvement:

  • Implement and improve processes to capture information on borrower or project changes that may require lender consent or notification.

  • Drive standardization of loan agreements, including representations, warranties, reporting, and lender consent rights.

• Post-Acquisition Management:

  • Oversee transition of sites to the VDC New Site Development team following acquisition.

  • Oversee the management of qualified property management contracts for the duration of the pre-development period and oversee all P&L cashflows.

• Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management:

  • Stay up to date with relevant real estate legislation and anticipated changes.

  • Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements during the acquisition and development process.

• Support and Reporting:

  • Provide support to the Site Selection team from concept through shovel-ready state across Vantage's North American portfolio.

  • Review status updates from the team of all projects in the Site Selection portfolio, including risks, schedule, quality, and budget.

• Additional duties as assigned by Management.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Commercial or Industrial Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in site selection or real estate; 15+ years preferred.

• Data Center experience is strongly preferred, but not 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.

• In-depth knowledge of land acquisition, zoning, environmental regulations, and infrastructure requirements.

• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.

• Proven project management abilities, with experience leading cross-functional teams.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

• Domestic and International travel (Canada) 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: $235,000-$255,000 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.

#HM-1 #LI-Hybrid

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.