Head of Data Center Selection and Strategy

Position Overview 

The Head of Data Center Selection and Strategy is a passionate and entrepreneurial leader responsible for seeking data center solution sales and guiding infrastructure selection for our clients. This role requires expertise in data center facilities and high-level technology with a proven ability to identify, pursue, and secure enterprise client opportunities. This role will leverage their strong market knowledge and subject matter expertise to build relationships with data center real estate brokers, data center colocation providers and prospective clients. Success in this position requires strategic vision and the ability to manage and engage various parties for success. 

Candidates should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the data center market, critical system assessments, site selection, lease negotiations and transaction oversight. Experience working with high-profile enterprise clients, industry-leading brokerage firms and operators is highly valued. This role will be expected to conduct market research, advise clients on strategic outcomes, and deliver client-focused solutions that drive business growth and profitability. 

The ideal candidate will possess at least ten years of experience in the data center arena, with a minimum of five years focused on data center or technology real estate. Prior professional services experience, and a proven track record of entrepreneurial success are highly recommended. This role must be able to communicate effectively at all levels, mentor internal talent, and collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and shared objectives. 

• This is a full-time, salaried position offering $250,000+, full benefits, paid time off, paid training, and performance-based bonuses. 

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate expertise in data center infrastructure, with a comprehensive understanding of enterprise clients and the complexities involved in improving their environments. Experience spans from the data center space to the physical layer of technology, offering expert guidance and tailored solutions aimed at upgrading client portfolios. 
• Build trusted advisor relationships with clients; communicate effectively at all levels within client organization (Board-level to DC Manager level); demonstrate knowledge and experience to be credible across DC environments.  
• Assessment Guidance: Incorporate Align’s value by introducing our assessment abilities to determine site capacities for clients. Assist with strategic planning. 
•  Site Identification & Analysis: Work with the team to pinpoint locations and sites of interest for potential clients 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and nurture relationships data center owners,  data center brokers and data center colo providers 
• Negotiation & Agreement Management: Lead discussions for Align services including; assessments, site selection, design, plan, procure, build and execute 
• Portfolio Strategy: Advise clients on existing data center capacities, technology portfolio optimization to identify significant savings and value-add opportunities. 
• Transaction Oversight: Manage all aspects of leasing transactions, including tenant representation, landlord agency leasing, and marketing. 
• Market Research: Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and risks in the data center real estate sector. 
• Project Management: Track milestones and ensure timely execution of site/infrastructure development strategies. 

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in the data center arena, with at least 5 years focused on data center or technology real estate. 
• Expertise: Understanding of the data center market, portfolio management, and transaction processes. 
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with major data center brokerage firms and operator. 
• Skills: Exceptional negotiation, relationship-building, and project management skills. 
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Business, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred. 
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Demonstrated ability to drive business growth and deliver client-focused solutions. 

To support a fair, consistent, and high-quality hiring experience, some interviews may be recorded. These recordings help our team focus fully on the conversation at hand, rather than note-taking, and allow us to better evaluate and improve our recruitment process. Recordings are used solely for internal purposes such as training, quality assurance, and process improvement. Candidates will be informed in advance and asked to provide consent before any recording takes place.