Senior Associate, Site Selection

Ares Management Corporation•Boston, MA

About The Position

Ada Infrastructure is a part of the digital infrastructure platform of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We are a global data center business grounded in sustainability, safety, and security. With a world-class team of industry leaders and the resources of Ares Management Ada Infrastructure is executing on our mission to lead the world in sustainable digital infrastructure that drives customer success and social benefit. The Senior Associate, Site Selection will partner with transactions teams in the process of identifying, evaluating, and acquiring optimal sites for data center development. This strategic role combines expertise in real estate transactions, project management, and data center infrastructure requirements to drive the successful expansion of our global footprint. The Senior Associate will collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, external consultants, and local authorities to ensure all projects align with operational, financial, and regulatory objectives. Key responsibilities include managing site selection strategies, negotiating real estate transactions, overseeing due diligence processes. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in real estate acquisition, site selection for large-scale infrastructure, and project leadership, along with deep knowledge of data center industry standards and requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in real estate, business, engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
6-8 years of experience in site selection, real estate transactions, or related roles, ideally in data center or large-scale infrastructure projects.
Deep understanding of data center requirements, including power, cooling, connectivity, and scalability.
Proficiency in real estate acquisition, zoning regulations, permitting, and environmental assessments.
Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects with tight deadlines and budgets.
Strong organizational and planning skills, with attention to detail and risk management.
Experience with financial modeling, cost analysis, and budget management.
Ability to assess market trends and translate data into actionable insights.
Exceptional negotiation skills with a track record of successful real estate transactions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners.
Experience building and leading high-performing teams.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and drive alignment across stakeholders.
Familiarity with international site selection processes and regulations, particularly in emerging markets.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Proficiency in project management tools, GIS mapping software, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

advanced degree preferred
Knowledge of data center-specific software is a plus.

Responsibilities

Site Selection & Strategy Develop and execute strategies for identifying and evaluating data center locations.
Analyze geographic, market, and technical criteria to support business growth.
Support growth of pipeline of available land transactions
Real Estate Transactions Lead negotiations for land acquisitions
Manage relationships with brokers, legal teams, and regulatory agencies.
Due Diligence & Feasibility Evaluate site level due diligence, including environmental and utility assessments.
Evaluate risks, costs, and site suitability for data center requirements.
Project Management Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure project timelines and budgets are met.
Manage external consultants and vendors for site development.
Stakeholder Collaboration Partner with internal teams and external stakeholders to align site selection with business goals.
Maintain strong relationships with local authorities and community stakeholders.
Financial Oversight Manage budgets and evaluate financial models for cost-effective site selection.
Report on KPIs and provide recommendations to leadership.
Leadership Grow and mentor a high-performing team to support site acquisition initiatives.
Foster a collaborative and innovative work culture.