Director, Pre-Development - Data Center Portfolio

Who We Are:

It's exciting to find yourself standing in a pivotal moment in time. It’s even more exciting to be out front leading it. At QTS, our world-class data centers are supporting our customers most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation.

As AI and cloud drive the demand for increased speed, capacity and capability, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader, committed to connecting the world for good. Driven by purpose and fueled by a spirit of innovation, QTS designs, builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced, forward-thinking data centers. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone.

QTS is Powered by People. People who play a vital role in our company’s culture, innovation and growth. People who are committed to contributing to the communities where we operate and work. People who are knowledgeable, resourceful and mission driven. Together, we do great things.

Who You Are:

The Director, Pre-Development is accountable for leading and managing all pre-development activities across designated regions and projects. This role requires strategic coordination with internal teams—including Corporate Real Estate, Investment, Development, Technology, and Data Center Operations—to align project readiness with broader business objectives.

Serving as the primary liaison for key external stakeholders, including local authorities and regulatory bodies, the Director will drive effective engagement through formal presentations and proactive communication. A critical aspect of this role involves navigating complex stakeholder landscapes to advance project approvals and readiness.

The ideal candidate brings a robust background in large-scale real estate and data center development, with demonstrated expertise in site selection, planning, permitting, environmental and technical due diligence, design, civil engineering, and operational planning. Success in this role requires a balance of technical depth, strategic vision, and stakeholder influence.

What You Will Do:

• Lead enterprise-level real estate due diligence for prospective land banks and properties, partnering cross-functionally with Corporate Real Estate, Connectivity, Power, and Construction teams to evaluate opportunities for data center development.
• Develop and execute comprehensive planning and permitting strategies for new sites, ensuring compliance with regulatory timelines and jurisdictional requirements.
• Establish and manage preliminary investment budgets for the design and construction of new properties, aligning capital planning with strategic objectives.
• Direct regional teams and external consultants through all phases of design, zoning, entitlement, and permitting—particularly for complex greenfield developments.
• Ensure architectural and engineering designs adhere to QTS standards, proactively identifying areas for optimization and innovation.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to internal design teams, ensuring alignment with QTS interior design guidelines and construction documentation protocols.
• Drive continuous improvement of design standards and development workflows, promoting efficiency, scalability, and consistency across projects.
• Deliver regular, insight-driven updates to executive leadership on development program progress, facilitating informed decision-making.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with key internal stakeholders and external partners to support sustainable and responsible development practices.
• Collaborate with internal teams to enhance project management methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Contribute to enterprise-level initiatives and support special projects aligned with organizational priorities.

What You Will Need to be Successful:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 8 or more years of experience in commercial development, including contract management, due diligence, entitlements, permitting, and project delivery from conceptual planning to project close-out.
• 8 or more years of progressive experience leading direct reports and teams, with a demonstrated ability to manage and develop talent within the organization
• Advanced knowledge with Microsoft Office suite, specifically PowerPoint for use in communicating program updates to executive level, and Excel to create and maintain site program & individual project budgets
• Be able to travel up to 50% of the time

Nice to Have:

• MBA, Master’s in Engineering, Management, Real Estate Development, or a related field.
• Experience in the delivery of mission-critical data center facilities at scale.
• Experience with tier 1 data center markets.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities You Will Need:

• Expertise in real estate due diligence, land acquisition, zoning, and entitlement processes.
• Advanced experience evaluating potential sites based on legal, regulatory, and financial considerations.
• Advanced knowledge of large-scale commercial and data center construction, including design, permitting, and environmental impact analysis.
• Knowledge of civil engineering, power infrastructure, and connectivity requirements.
• Advanced understanding of local, state, and federal permitting requirements for land development and construction.
• Advanced knowledge of environmental regulations, sustainability standards, and building codes.
• Advanced experience in creating and managing pre-development budgets, analyzing investment risks, and forecasting costs.
• Knowledge of funding models, capital expenditures, and financial feasibility analysis.
• Understanding with Tier 1 data center markets, data center design principles, and operational requirements.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as Uptime Institute Tier Standards, ASHRAE, and IEEE.

TOTAL REWARDS

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.

This role is bonus eligible and may be eligible for equity.

#LI-SM1

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.  We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings.  We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

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The pay transparency policy is available here:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.