Senior Director, Site Development

Rowan Digital Infrastructure • Denver, CO

3d • $195 - $240 • Hybrid

About The Position

Rowan Digital Infrastructure is redefining how data centers are delivered—faster, smarter, and at scale. We partner with hyperscale customers to provide tailored, high-performance infrastructure with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility.
Our experienced, end-to-end team delivers custom solutions across a growing portfolio of strategic sites in key markets across the United States. Backed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, Rowan is committed to enabling the next generation of digital infrastructure—and building a more sustainable future in the process.
Ready to help transform how the world’s most important technologies are powered? Join us.
Role Summary
Rowan is seeking a Senior Director of Development to lead and manage program integration from land development alongside the power and energy team. This role is integral to shaping and executing Rowan’s development strategy—identifying critical power-first elements of development deals and creating program architecture. The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of delivering complex data center projects, paired with strategic acumen, disciplined risk management, and exceptional negotiation and communication skills. Success in this role requires comfort with ambiguity, a highly organized and proactive approach, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, real estate, environmental management) and 12+ years of experience leading large-scale, complex site development projects or portfolios in the data center or commercial real estate industry
• The candidate has a proven track record in commercial real estate brokerage, with significant experience in the critical functions of site selection, property acquisition, and negotiation. This expertise includes the identification and evaluation of suitable sites for development projects, managing the end-to-end process of acquiring properties, and leading negotiations to secure favorable terms. These capabilities have been consistently demonstrated in large-scale, complex real estate transactions, supporting the success of project portfolios, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
• Proven success in negotiating commercial agreements, including land control, energy, water/wastewater service, and economic development agreements
• Demonstrated ability to work with external stakeholders, including authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), utilities, and economic development agencies to advance complex infrastructure projects
• Strong experience leading cross-functional initiatives, with responsibility for project strategy, budgets, schedules, and risk management
• Demonstrated trust-based leadership, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence outcomes without formal authority
• Proficiency in environmental due diligence, permitting, and entitlements for large-scale developments
• Skilled at communicating with senior leadership and executive stakeholders across the organization
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and cross-functional environment
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience evaluating the feasibility and ROI of large capital investments

Responsibilities

• Drive power-forward development deals by identifying, structuring, and advancing projects where securing critical power infrastructure is the primary enabler for site delivery and customer commitments
• Lead end-to-end site development for a portfolio of data center projects—from early diligence and site access through construction commencement—with active stakeholder engagement, risk management, and commercial oversight
• Negotiate key agreements with external partners, including land acquisitions, development agreements, and other commercial contracts that support risk mitigation and project advancement
• Direct cross-functional evaluation of potential sites by leading a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts across engineering, legal, planning, and other domains
• Oversee all development activities, including land use and entitlements, permitting, physical and legal due diligence, and other pre-construction workstreams
• Serve as the primary liaison with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), external stakeholders, landowners, and vendors for assigned development projects
• Collaborate with internal teams—including energy, fiber, finance, water & wastewater, and economic development—to identify and address key project risks and ensure long-term viability
• Communicate project value by partnering with leadership to articulate the customer proposition and strategic fit of priority sites
• Represent the project internally and externally, providing clear, concise updates to leadership and leading customer-facing development discussions
• Ensure effective project execution by working with the project manager to develop and manage budgets, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies
• Contribute to team growth and scalability by helping establish strong diligence and reporting practices and continuously improving development processes and systems

Benefits

• Hybrid working environment
• Team building and educational opportunities
• Generous benefits package including robust health benefits and a 401(k) company contribution
• Unlimited PTO
• Competitive compensation and bonus plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees