Director, Data Center Development (AI)

TL;DR

Director, Data Center Development (AI): Leading end-to-end development of new AI data center sites across the Americas with an accent on site control, entitlements, and design coordination. Focus on advancing complex projects from origination through to Final Investment Decision (FID) while managing budgets, schedules, and cross-functional workstreams.

Location: Houston, USA

Salary: $170,000 - $290,000 USD

Company

Nscale is a vertically integrated GenAI cloud platform provider building sustainable AI infrastructure.

What you will do

• Lead a development team in advancing a portfolio of AI data center sites from origination through diligence and FID.
• Manage the full development lifecycle, including site control, due diligence, entitlements, permitting, and utility coordination.
• Own project development strategy, budgets, and schedules to drive speed-to-market.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams across Energy, Design, Preconstruction, and Sales.
• Represent the development team in executive reviews and maintain relationships with external stakeholders and local authorities.
• Hire, mentor, and develop junior team members to build a high-performance culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or equivalent.
• 8+ years of experience in data center, real estate, or infrastructure development.
• Proven track record advancing complex projects from site selection to construction.
• Expertise in site control, due diligence, entitlements, permitting, and design coordination.
• Experience managing development budgets and preparing FID/capital approval packages.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% based on business needs.

Nice to have

• Direct experience in mission-critical facility development.
• Working knowledge of power and utility interconnection.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with eligibility for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible paid time off and parental leave.
• Retirement plan participation.
• Culture focused on relentless innovation, ownership, and transparency.