Manager, Development Entitlements/Due Diligence

Digital Realty Trust•Boston, MA

76d

About The Position

The Manager, Development Entitlements/Due Diligence - Americas will lead all pre-development technical due diligence efforts across the Americas region. This newly created role will sit within the Design, Engineering & Construction (DEC) organization and play a critical part in the early evaluation of potential data center developments. The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders, such as Acquisitions, Legal, and Development, as well as external consultants to ensure comprehensive assessment of potential sites and accurate development scheduling.

Requirements

5 to 10 years of experience in front end site development, design, construction, or technical due diligence-preferably in data center, commercial real estate, or industrial development.
Proven experience leading cross-functional due diligence efforts for large-scale real estate or infrastructure projects.
Strong understanding of zoning, permitting, entitlements, utility coordination, geotechnical issues and environmental review processes.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deals concurrently.
Experience procuring and managing consultant scopes, schedules, and budgets.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex findings clearly to executive stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and as part of a highly collaborative team.
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering is preferred. Architecture, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or related fields will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience with data center development or hyperscale infrastructure.
Familiarity with land acquisition and real estate legal frameworks in multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
PMP, PE, or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate internal and consultant partner due diligence activities for potential site acquisitions in the AMER region.
Assist the Acquisitions team by providing technical input for both existing and new market evaluations.
Review seller-provided materials and documentation for accuracy, completeness, and development viability.
Focus on the review of 3 primary topics: Geotechnical Investigations, Environmental Site Assessments and Identification of Zoning and Entitlements processes needed for the construction of new data centers.
Collaborate with the DE&C preconstruction team to develop the scope of work associated with due diligence findings.
Coordinate and direct land use attorneys, civil engineers, environmental firms, and other consultants to assess project risks and permit timelines.
Coordinate and direct services from third-party environmental and geotechnical consultants to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
Collaborate with internal teams (Design, Construction, Development, Legal, etc.) to synthesize inputs and establish a complete development schedule for each potential site.
Ensure due diligence deliverables align with internal development standards and project objectives.
Present findings, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership to inform acquisition decisions. Use Due Diligence Trackers and Gantt charts.