Director, Pre- Construction (Data Centers)

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and technical Director of Pre-Construction & Powered Land Opportunities to lead our data center site selection, utility interconnection, and pre-development strategies. In this role, you will bridge the gap between real estate acquisition, utility/power infrastructure, and technical pre-construction planning.

The ideal candidate possesses deep market intelligence in global/regional data center markets, a strong network within power utilities, and proven expertise in taking greenfield or brownfield sites from initial evaluation through land acquisition, zoning/entitlements, utility interconnect agreements, and baseline site infrastructure planning.

Key Responsibilities

Site Identification & Land Acquisition

• Lead the sourcing, identification, and underwriting of strategic land parcels suitable for hyperscale and enterprise data center developments.
• Partner with real estate brokers, landowners, and economic development agencies to secure sites via purchase agreements, options, or joint ventures.
• Conduct comprehensive land due diligence, including title review, environmental assessments (Phase I/II), geotechnical evaluations, flood zone risks, and baseline topography.

Power Procurement & Utility Strategy

• Target, evaluate, and secure sub-station, transmission, and power utility capacity (MW to GW scale) for prospective data center campuses.
• Engage directly with regional utility providers, independent system operators (ISOs/RTOs), power brokers, and energy developers to negotiate Interconnection Agreements (IA) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
• Evaluate alternative power solutions, including on-site generation, microgrids, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and renewable energy integration.

Pre-Construction & Site Development Planning

• Oversee early-stage engineering, master planning, and site layout design in collaboration with internal architects, developers, construction professionals, engineers, and MEP consultants.
• Develop baseline budgets, capital expenditure estimates (CapEx), and high-level schedules for off-site utility extensions, civil grading, and site preparation.
• Evaluate critical path constraints such as fiber connectivity, water supply/wastewater capacity, and sound/environmental restrictions.

Entitlements, Zoning & Regulatory Approvals

• Lead local government, community, and regulatory engagement to secure necessary entitlements, re-zoning approvals, conditional use permits (CUP), and environmental clearances.
• Represent the company at public hearings, city council meetings, and neighborhood workshops.
• Partner with legal counsel to structure options, land purchase agreements, right-of-way (ROW) easements, and development agreements.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Design & Construction, Operations, Finance, and Commercial Leasing teams to align land/power availability with customer delivery timelines.
• Present site investment memos and risk-mitigation strategies to Executive Leadership and Investment Committees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).
• 8+ years of direct experience in data center real estate acquisition, pre-construction management, or utility infrastructure development.
• Proven track record of securing powered land (tens to hundreds of MWs) for hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center operators.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with utility companies (e.g., Dominion, PJM, ERCOT, MISO, Duke, First Energy etc.) and navigating interconnection queues.
• In-depth knowledge of high-voltage transmission networks, substation engineering concepts, and utility tariff structures.
• Solid understanding of civil engineering, environmental due diligence, and zoning/entitlement processes.
• Proficient in financial modeling fundamentals, land acquisition metrics, and project scheduling software (MS Project, Primavera, or similar).
• Key Attributes:
• Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with evolving technical requirements.
• Willingness to travel [10%–25%] as needed for site visits, utility meetings, and public hearings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Project, and Outlook.
• Strong oral and written communication, active listening, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think quickly, proactively, and handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
• Customer-focused, results-oriented, with a continuous learning and development mindset.

Benefits

Compensation:
- Competitive Salary with Bonus Potential
- Generous Benefit Package: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K Match, Life Insurance

Career Development
- Opportunities for Advancement within our expanding portfolio
- Annual Professional Development Funds to fuel your growth

Employee Perks (to name a few):
- Housing Discount
- Commuter Benefits
- Free Parking and EV charging
- Parental Leave Program
- Enjoy a Friendly Work Environment that values collaboration

Explore more perks and possibilities here for growing your career with Comstock Companies! Discover what sets us apart!