Director, Pre- Construction (Data Centers)
Comstock · Reston · $190,000–$230,000 (stated in the posting)
Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and technical Director of Pre-Construction & Powered Land Opportunities to lead our data center site selection, utility interconnection,pre-development and development strategies. In this role, you will bridge the gap between real estate acquisition, utility/power infrastructure, and technical pre-construction planning.
The ideal candidate possesses deep market intelligence in global/regional data center markets, a strong network within power utilities, and proven expertise in taking greenfield or brownfield sites from initial evaluation through land acquisition, zoning/entitlements, utility interconnect agreements, and baseline site infrastructure planning.
Key Responsibilities
Site Identification & Land Acquisition
- Lead the sourcing, identification, and underwriting of strategic land parcels suitable for hyperscale and enterprise data center developments.
- Partner with real estate brokers, landowners, and economic development agencies to secure sites via purchase agreements, options, or joint ventures.
- Conduct comprehensive land due diligence, including title review, environmental assessments (Phase I/II), geotechnical evaluations, flood zone risks, and baseline topography.
Power Procurement & Utility Strategy
- Target, evaluate, and secure sub-station, transmission, and power utility capacity (MW to GW scale) for prospective data center campuses.
- Engage directly with regional utility providers, independent system operators (ISOs/RTOs), power brokers, and energy developers to negotiate Interconnection Agreements (IA) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
- Evaluate alternative power solutions, including on-site generation, microgrids, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and renewable energy integration.
Pre-Construction & Site Development Planning
- Oversee early-stage engineering, master planning, and site layout design in collaboration with internal architects, developers, construction professionals, engineers, and MEP consultants.
- Develop baseline budgets, capital expenditure estimates (CapEx), and high-level schedules for off-site utility extensions, civil grading, and site preparation.
- Evaluate critical path constraints such as fiber connectivity, water supply/wastewater capacity, and sound/environmental restrictions.
Entitlements, Zoning & Regulatory Approvals
- Lead local government, community, and regulatory engagement to secure necessary entitlements, re-zoning approvals, conditional use permits (CUP), and environmental clearances.
- Represent the company at public hearings, city council meetings, and neighborhood workshops.
- Partner with legal counsel to structure options, land purchase agreements, right-of-way (ROW) easements, and development agreements.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Partnership
- Collaborate closely with Design & Construction, Operations, Finance, and Commercial Leasing teams to align land/power availability with customer delivery timelines.
- Present site investment memos and risk-mitigation strategies to Executive Leadership and Investment Committees.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).
- 8+ years of direct experience in data center real estate acquisition, pre-construction management, or utility infrastructure development.
- Proven track record of securing powered land (tens to hundreds of MWs) for hyperscale, colocation, or enterprise data center operators.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating with utility companies (e.g., Dominion, PJM, ERCOT, MISO, Duke, First Energy etc.) and navigating interconnection queues.
- In-depth knowledge of high-voltage transmission networks, substation engineering concepts, and utility tariff structures.
- Solid understanding of civil engineering, environmental due diligence, and zoning/entitlement processes.
- Proficient in financial modeling fundamentals, land acquisition metrics, and project scheduling software (MS Project, Primavera, or similar).
- Key Attributes:
- Exceptional negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with evolving technical requirements.
- Willingness to travel [10%–25%] as needed for site visits, utility meetings, and public hearings.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Project, and Outlook.
- Strong oral and written communication, active listening, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to think quickly, proactively, and handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- High level of integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
- Customer-focused, results-oriented, with a continuous learning and development mindset.
Benefits
Compensation:
- Competitive Salary with Bonus Potential
- Generous Benefit Package: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K Match, Life Insurance
Career Development
- Opportunities for Advancement within our expanding portfolio
- Annual Professional Development Funds to fuel your growth
Employee Perks (to name a few):
- Housing Discount
- Commuter Benefits
- Free Parking and EV charging
- Parental Leave Program
- Enjoy a Friendly Work Environment that values collaboration
Explore more perks and possibilities here for growing your career with Comstock Companies! Discover what sets us apart!
The wage range listed for this position reflects a reasonable estimate and considers multiple factors that influence compensation decisions. These may include, but are not limited to, your skills, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and the specific needs of the organization. The posted range does not reflect adjustments for geographic differentials tied to where the role may be filled.
At Comstock, it is not typical for a new hire to start at or near the top of the posted range. Compensation is determined based on the unique circumstances of each candidate.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program. Any award under this program is subject to its rules and may depend on individual and organizational performance.