Master planning Manager

Digital Realty•Boston, MA

39d•$180,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Design Manager, Data Center Master Planning serves as the senior technical authority responsible for early-stage planning, test fits, and long-range campus development strategy for large hyperscale data center campuses. This role translates raw land, zoning envelopes, utility constraints, and market requirements into scalable, buildable, and approvable campus plans that maximize long-term MW yield, phasing flexibility, and capital efficiency. Operating at the front end of the development lifecycle, role sits at the intersection of Real Estate, Development, Engineering, Utilities, Entitlements, and Construction, ensuring that site plans, master plans, and test fits are technically sound, entitlement-ready, and aligned with downstream design, procurement, and construction realities. The role requires strong technical judgment, deep familiarity with data center MEP systems, and the ability to make and defend high-impact tradeoffs that affect campus’ return on investment.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in master planning, design, or development, with significant exposure to hyperscale or large-scale data center campus environments.
Demonstrated expertise in space planning and test fits for data centers, including how early layout decisions affect MEP systems, constructability, cost, and phasing.
Strong technical foundation in data center MEP systems, with the ability to translate engineering realities into early-stage planning decisions.
Proven experience supporting site plan approvals and entitlements, including coordination with jurisdictions, planners, and specialty consultants (acoustics, traffic, environmental).
Deep understanding of phasing strategies for multi-building campuses, including utility delivery sequencing, interim conditions, and future-proofing.
Ability to balance technical rigor with commercial and development priorities, making and defending tradeoffs under uncertainty.
Experience managing and directing multi-disciplinary consultant teams through fast-paced, high-stakes early development phases.
Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex planning and engineering concepts to non-technical stakeholders, executives, and external authorities.
Highly organized, process-driven, and comfortable operating in ambiguous, early-stage environments where decisions have long-term consequences.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field required; professional registration strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead master planning and test-fit efforts for large hyperscale data center developments, translating site constraints, zoning requirements, utility availability, and design standards into scalable campus layouts and phasing strategies.
Serve as the senior technical authority for early feasibility, evaluating power density, cooling strategies, building typologies, road and yard layouts, easements, setbacks, and future expansion paths to maximize deployable IT capacity over the life of the campus.
Develop and review test fits, conceptual site plans, and master plan alternatives, assessing tradeoffs between MW yield, constructability, entitlement risk, cost, schedule, and operational flexibility.
Partner closely with Real Estate Acquisitions, Due Diligence, and Entitlements teams to support site selection, due diligence, zoning strategy, site plan approvals, special exceptions, and public hearing processes.
Lead technical coordination across internal teams (Acquisitions, Design Management, Construction and Global Design Standards) and external partners including A/E firms, planners, acousticians, traffic consultants, utilities, and jurisdictional authorities.
Guide entitlement-driven design decisions, including building height and massing, setbacks, screening, acoustics, noise compliance, stormwater strategies, and community-facing design considerations.
Establish and oversee phasing strategies that align utility delivery, substation build-out, building sequencing, and capital deployment with market demand and long-term campus growth.
Ensure master plans and test fits are grounded in real data center engineering, reflecting realistic MEP space requirements, equipment clearances, yard layouts, redundancy strategies, and constructability constraints.
Oversee consultant engagement for planning and early design scopes, including RFPs, scope definition, schedule alignment, and quality control of deliverables.
Review and approve early-stage technical deliverables including master plans, test fits, utility studies, acoustic studies, conceptual MEP narratives, and entitlement support exhibits.
Provide continuity from concept through execution, supporting handoff from master planning into schematic design, ensuring original planning assumptions remain valid as projects advance.
Drive continuous improvement in planning tools, repeatable campus typologies, MW density benchmarks, and entitlement playbooks to increase speed, predictability, and long-term campus value.