Real Estate Development Manager

Description

 Who We Are

Our purpose at CloudHQ is to provide flexible, efficient, and resilient data center solutions to businesses of all sizes. Our growing organization was founded by the pioneer of data center REITs. CloudHQ has state-of-the-art data center sites located on two Northern Virginia campuses, as well as London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and São Paulo, and we anticipate exponential growth over the next several years both in the US and abroad. Our company’s reach is expanded through our affiliate companies – Cloud Capital, Dalian Development, and WindHQ.  

What The Role Entails

The Development Manager will be a critical member of the Development Team responsible for driving the regional strategy, identification, acquisition and entitlement of data center development for CloudHQ. The Development Manager will support land acquisition with site selection and due diligence, lead campus planning, entitlements and site plan design efforts through the project lifecycle to make the property Data Center Ready. In addition, they will be responsible for coordinating utilities and all other aspects of delivering the project on budget and on schedule while also ensuring alignment with corporate growth targets, timelines, and quality standards.

The Development Manager will collaborate internally and externally to represent CHQ’s development team and drive results. This role will lead cross-functional efforts alongside design partner teams, Sales, local and state government agencies, and other external partners, serving as a key communicator and project leader driving high-value developments for CloudHQ.

What You Get to Do 

Strategic Leadership & Regional Growth

• Develop and execute a strategic regional development road map aligned with corporate expansion goals
• Support the CloudHQ Land Acquisition Manager with market research within the region to identify prospective sites with strong commercial potential
• Evaluate and secure high-value land opportunities for mission-critical facilities, balancing market demand, infrastructure availability, and cost considerations
• Present investment recommendations and development strategies to leadership
• Act as the primary representative and spokesperson for regional development activities both internally and externally

Due Diligence & Acquisition

• Direct all feasibility activities including environmental, geotechnical, zoning, and master planning studies
• Work with the Infrastructure team to evaluate the existing and future utility capacity
• Evaluate and determine timelines and budgets for all necessary studies
• Negotiate such contracts, leases, and JV agreements to secure optimal terms for the company
• Author the acquisition memo to note strategy to closing on land, potential risks and achieve Data Center ready

Entitlements, Zoning, & Permitting

• Oversee entitlement strategy, variance requests, and zoning modifications
• Maintain trusted relationships with municipal bodies, planning boards, community stakeholders, and permitting agencies
• Lead all efforts to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental requirements

Policy & Strategy

• Cultivate relationships with various stakeholders at the National, State and Local levels and champion the CloudHQ brand.
• Participate as the company lead for industry associations on calls, and attend in-person events.
• Track market trends and industry-relevant developments at a macro and micro level for markets of interest.
• Seek meaningful participation and leadership roles within industry-relevant organizations to expand your networks and the company’s reach.

Development Execution & Oversight

• Provide end-to-end oversight for multiple simultaneous development projects from inception through handoff
• Establish, monitor, and manage comprehensive project budgets, proformas, and schedules
• Coordinate campus and building design in collaboration with internal design teams, consulting architects, engineers, and construction teams, ensuring constructability, operational efficiency, and sustainability goals are met
• Direct infrastructure planning for power, fiber, roadways, water, and stormwater systems
• Serve as liaison between regional development, internal business units (Construction, Operations, Finance, Sales, Accounting), and external project partners
• Collaborate on customer engagement on development-related matters, ensuring seamless integration of client requirements into design and delivery
• Host and lead high-level development meetings, reports, and presentations

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate development risks related to site conditions, entitlement timelines, market shifts, and community engagement
• Ensure projects adhere to corporate ESG commitments and sustainability goals
• Champion innovation, process improvement, and lessons learned across the development portfolio

Requirements

What You Bring To The Role

• A bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, Finance, or related field  
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in large-scale commercial, industrial or mission-critical facility development, including leadership of land acquisition, entitlement, and project execution
• Proven track record in delivering high-complexity, high-value properties on budget and on schedule
• Experience with data centers, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or other highly technical facilities preferred
• Exposure to entitlement processes, zoning, and infrastructure planning
• Strong financial acumen, including underwriting, capital planning, and cost control
• Experienced in interactions with external stakeholders and the public
• Organizational and decision-making abilities
• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage critical details 
• Exceptional negotiation and contract management skills
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, site plans, and complex feasibility data
• Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a high-growth, fast-paced, frequently changing environment
• Commitment to corporate ethics, compliance, and confidentiality
• Committed to reporting to the office in Ashburn when not traveling for work
• Ability to travel to data center sites, client meetings, trainings or conferences as requested and required both domestic and potentially international. 

What We Offer

CloudHQ’s people and culture are the most enriching aspects that make us a great place to work. We are strengthened by industry experts who bring extensive knowledge, skill, and experience; leaders who bring vision, innovation and commitment to our people; and an expanding team of individuals who believe in that vision and bring their best to support their customers and team. 

Our U.S. employees enjoy competitive compensation and rewarding incentives, comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability), 401(k) with match, 12 paid holidays, generous PTO, development opportunities, and the ability to closely impact and contribute to the growth of an exceptional organization.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CloudHQ is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.