Director / Senior Manager - Real Estate Development (Data Center Platforms) - NY
Leap29, New York, NY, United States
Location:
New York, NY
Overview An large-scale digital infrastructure platform is seeking a Director of Real Estate Development to lead the end-to-end delivery of large, mission-critical data center sites. This role sits at the intersection of real estate, infrastructure, and power and requires deep experience navigating complex entitlements, permitting, and land control for massive development sites.
The successful candidate will take ownership of strategically significant assets from early site control through full entitlement and readiness for construction, working closely with utilities, municipalities, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Lead
full real estate entitlement
processes for large-scale data center developments, including zoning, land use approvals, environmental reviews, and municipal permitting
Manage
complex permitting strategies
across local, county, and state jurisdictions in New York and surrounding markets
Oversee
site control and land strategy , including acquisitions, options, long‑term ground leases, and development agreements
Negotiate and manage
rights‑of‑way, easements, and access agreements , including utility, transmission, and fiber corridors
Coordinate
grid power strategy
in partnership with utilities, transmission providers, and internal power teams to secure scalable, long‑term electrical capacity
Serve as the real estate lead for
hyperscale and multi‑building campus developments , often spanning hundreds of acres
Manage external advisors including land use counsel, civil engineers, environmental consultants, surveyors, and permitting specialists
Interface with municipalities, planning boards, economic development authorities, and community stakeholders
Drive project schedules, manage entitlement risk, and anticipate regulatory or political challenges before they impact delivery
Support investment underwriting by providing real estate, entitlement, and development risk assessments
Ideal Candidate Profile
8+ years of experience in
real estate development , infrastructure development, or large‑scale industrial / mission‑critical projects
Proven track record of
fully entitling complex, large‑footprint developments
with significant power and infrastructure requirements
Deep understanding of
land use, zoning, environmental permitting, and easement structures
Strong experience coordinating with
electric utilities and grid operators
on high‑load power requirements
Background in data centers, industrial, logistics, energy, or infrastructure is strongly preferred, though not required
Candidates with experience at
institutional real estate investment platforms or real estate private equity environments
are highly encouraged to apply
Highly commercial mindset with the ability to balance speed, risk, and long‑term asset value
Comfortable operating with autonomy on high‑visibility, high‑value sites
What This Role Offers
Ownership of some of the
largest and most strategically important digital infrastructure sites
in the U.S.
Direct impact on shaping a rapidly growing platform at the intersection of real estate, energy, and technology
Exposure to complex, high‑stakes development challenges rarely found in traditional real estate roles
Competitive compensation and long‑term growth potential within a scaled institutional environment
If this role is of interest please reach out to Simon Howard (showard@leap29.com)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
New York, NY
Overview An large-scale digital infrastructure platform is seeking a Director of Real Estate Development to lead the end-to-end delivery of large, mission-critical data center sites. This role sits at the intersection of real estate, infrastructure, and power and requires deep experience navigating complex entitlements, permitting, and land control for massive development sites.
The successful candidate will take ownership of strategically significant assets from early site control through full entitlement and readiness for construction, working closely with utilities, municipalities, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Lead
full real estate entitlement
processes for large-scale data center developments, including zoning, land use approvals, environmental reviews, and municipal permitting
Manage
complex permitting strategies
across local, county, and state jurisdictions in New York and surrounding markets
Oversee
site control and land strategy , including acquisitions, options, long‑term ground leases, and development agreements
Negotiate and manage
rights‑of‑way, easements, and access agreements , including utility, transmission, and fiber corridors
Coordinate
grid power strategy
in partnership with utilities, transmission providers, and internal power teams to secure scalable, long‑term electrical capacity
Serve as the real estate lead for
hyperscale and multi‑building campus developments , often spanning hundreds of acres
Manage external advisors including land use counsel, civil engineers, environmental consultants, surveyors, and permitting specialists
Interface with municipalities, planning boards, economic development authorities, and community stakeholders
Drive project schedules, manage entitlement risk, and anticipate regulatory or political challenges before they impact delivery
Support investment underwriting by providing real estate, entitlement, and development risk assessments
Ideal Candidate Profile
8+ years of experience in
real estate development , infrastructure development, or large‑scale industrial / mission‑critical projects
Proven track record of
fully entitling complex, large‑footprint developments
with significant power and infrastructure requirements
Deep understanding of
land use, zoning, environmental permitting, and easement structures
Strong experience coordinating with
electric utilities and grid operators
on high‑load power requirements
Background in data centers, industrial, logistics, energy, or infrastructure is strongly preferred, though not required
Candidates with experience at
institutional real estate investment platforms or real estate private equity environments
are highly encouraged to apply
Highly commercial mindset with the ability to balance speed, risk, and long‑term asset value
Comfortable operating with autonomy on high‑visibility, high‑value sites
What This Role Offers
Ownership of some of the
largest and most strategically important digital infrastructure sites
in the U.S.
Direct impact on shaping a rapidly growing platform at the intersection of real estate, energy, and technology
Exposure to complex, high‑stakes development challenges rarely found in traditional real estate roles
Competitive compensation and long‑term growth potential within a scaled institutional environment
If this role is of interest please reach out to Simon Howard (showard@leap29.com)
#J-18808-Ljbffr