Development Director, Data Centers

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Development Director, Data Centers is responsible for leading the market positioning, commercial development, and strategic growth of the company’s data center business. This role identifies and drives new partnership opportunities, evaluates and prioritizes powered data center sites, structures commercial deals, and engages with industry leaders to expand the company’s presence in the responsible data center market. The Director works cross-functionally to convert strategic opportunities into viable, bankable, and scalable projects.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the development and execution of the company’s data center growth strategy.
• Leverage Clenera’s development platform including but not limited to utility scale solar and storage assets to accelerate online timelines for large load customers.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with hyperscalers, colocation providers, and other large‑scale digital infrastructure stakeholders.
• Support evaluation and prioritization of prospective data center sites based on power availability, interconnection potential, land partnerships, permitting feasibility, cooling strategies, and market demand.
• Oversee preparation of customer-facing materials, including RFP responses, commercial proposals, and strategic presentations for datacenter opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional deal teams through origination, feasibility studies, commercial structuring, negotiations, and contract execution for data center-related projects.
• Collaborate with development, engineering, transmission & interconnection, and finance teams to define project concepts, cost structures, timelines, and economic value for datacenter customers.
• Monitor and analyze market trends in hyperscaler power needs, behind-the-meter and co-located generation structures, energy pricing, and responsible data center development (LEED, PUE, water use, etc.), to guide corporate strategy.
• Represent the company in data center industry networks, conferences, and customer engagements.
• Track the performance of the datacenter business pipeline, providing regular updates to executive leadership, and recommending strategic adjustments as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, Computer Science, or other relevant field.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in business/project development and 2+ years of experience within the data center industry.
• Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and an ability to learn company-specific software programs, tools, processes, and machines.
• Skills/Attributes:
  • Demonstrates the Clēnera Core Values of Caring, Committed, and Courageous.
  • Demonstrates deep understanding of data center market drivers, including hyperscaler demand, AI compute growth, power procurement strategies, and site selection factors.
  • Demonstrates experience working with utility-scale renewable energy, energy procurement structures, or grid-connected infrastructure.
  • Demonstrates ability to develop financial models, commercial proposals, and strategic analyses informing executive decision-making.
  • Demonstrates ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex projects and high-value transactions.
  • Has excellent communication, relationship building, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Is self-motivated with the ability to effectively solve problems and make decisions in ambiguous environments.
  • Maintains organizational excellence in terms of project timelines and deliverables.
• Travel: 10-25%

BENEFITS

• Clēnera pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums for a suite of medical, dental, and vision coverages.
• Hybrid Work Environment
• HSA and FSA Plans Available
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Public Holidays)
• Incentive Pay and RSU Plans

*Recruiting agencies, we are not currently accepting unsolicited referrals for this or any open role. We will not pay any fee associated with unsolicited referrals.