Investment Manager - Real Estate Site Selection

Who we are:

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be. 

Who You Are:

The Investment Manager, Real Estate Site Selection will be responsible for sourcing, managing and owning the diligence process for new investment opportunities at QTS:  

We are seeking a Investment Manager, Real Estate Site Selection, to join our growing team. In this role, you will play a key part in shaping and executing location strategies to identify and pursue new development opportunities. You will manage the full lifecycle of site selection, oversee land acquisition efforts, negotiate purchase agreements, and lead due diligence activities necessary to expand our data center footprint. The ultimate objective is to create a robust pipeline of high-quality, development-ready sites that support future growth.

This position requires direct engagement with property owners, investors, data center developers, local municipalities, land use attorneys, and consulting partners to identify opportunities and successfully obtain the approvals and entitlements necessary for site acquisition and development.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to solve complex challenges. Strong written and verbal communication skills, technical aptitude, exceptional organizational abilities, and strategic thinking are essential. Success in this role also requires the ability to manage competing priorities, operate independently with limited guidance, and maintain the highest standards of integrity while working with landowners, community stakeholders, and public officials. A commitment to responsible development practices, environmental stewardship, and positive community engagement is equally important.

What You Will Do:

• Direct land acquisition and development activities for new project opportunities.
• Evaluate development entitlement requirements, including rezoning efforts, land use approvals, permitting processes, and related regulatory requirements. Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, community groups, and other key stakeholders while partnering with internal teams and consultants to secure approvals.
• Collaborate with internal business, commercial, and technical stakeholders, as well as external partners, to identify, define, and advance site selection initiatives that support the expanding needs of the data center industry.
• Establish and manage consultant and vendor teams responsible for assessing site viability and development potential.
• Support the creation of site plans that align with market demands while delivering best-in-class development solutions.
• Lead and manage multiple sophisticated real estate and commercial contract negotiations.
• Oversee engineering consultants through various phases of technical due diligence. Assess findings, understand associated business impacts, and develop risk management strategies, including mitigation plans, action items, and appropriate investment levels needed to address identified risks.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams including Design Engineering, Legal, Tax, External Affairs, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, and Construction to support project execution and guide real estate strategy.
• Coordinate communications and maintain relationships with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including landowners, utility providers, economic development organizations, government representatives, consultants, vendors, legal advisors, internal subject matter experts, executive leadership, and customers.
• Develop a strong understanding of technical design requirements and identify solutions that effectively meet both engineering standards and business objectives.
• Participate throughout the project lifecycle, including supporting construction efforts related to building delivery, utility infrastructure, power systems, and other critical site components.
• Drive planning efforts for required infrastructure improvements and coordinate internal and external design and development partners to ensure successful delivery of Real Estate Site Selection, Acquisition, and Development objectives.
• Foster productive relationships with local government agencies and lead entitlement and approval processes through successful completion.
• Work collaboratively with development partners and local jurisdictions while representing projects during public meetings, hearings, and other community engagement activities.
• Prepare transaction summaries and presentations for senior leadership, highlighting project status, approval requirements, financial considerations, and overall transaction value.
• Create project overviews, business cases, and strategic presentations for internal stakeholders and customers.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of processes, standards, methodologies, and tools that support a scalable and repeatable approach to site selection, acquisitions, and contracting activities.

What You Will Need to be Successful:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably with a concentration in Finance, Economics, Real Estate, Accounting or Mathematics or equivalent professional experience.
• 5 or more years of working experience in a collaborative financial environment (banking, real estate, etc.) focused on driving bottom line value-creation through strategic thinking in a time-sensitive manner.
• Solid proficiency in MS Office applications, especially Excel.
• Solid experience creating financial models using WACC, NPV, IRR and ROI.
• Advanced proficiency with analytical and financial modeling tools such as Microsoft Excel
• Ability to build comprehensive financial models including integrated income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Ability to efficiently synthesize large amounts of data and derive appropriate conclusions
   

Nice to Have:

• Masters of Business Administration or equivalent
• Experience with Workday, Salesforce, Adaptive Insights and Office Cx.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-growth Data Center markets.
• Experience providing financial and analytical support to a development organization.
• Senior Manager and above requires 7 or more years of working experience in a collaborative financial environment (banking, real estate, etc.) focused on driving bottom line value-creation through strategic thinking in a time-sensitive manner.
  
  

Knowledge Skills and Abilities You Will Need:

• Ideal candidates will have a proven history of being extremely self-motivated, highly organized and open communicators who are eager to work in a fast-paced client focused entrepreneurial environment with limited formal structure.  
• Ability to organize, interpret, and draw appropriate conclusions from large volumes of data and to creatively present the information in a manner that enables non-financial managers to easily understand the information. 
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Enthusiastic attitude in a team environment and ability to work independently. 
• Positive, flexible outlook.

TOTAL REWARDS

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.

#LI-SM1

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays
• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)
• 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked
• Pet and Legal Insurance
• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program
• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program
• Parental Leave
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action.  We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings.  We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

Know Your Rights (English)

Know Your Rights (Spanish)

The pay transparency policy is available here:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.