Data Center Lease Development Manager

Meta is looking for an experienced Data Center Lease Development Manager with extensive expertise in technical assessments, negotiating, and administering large, complex data center lease transactions within the hyperscale sector. This role requires a deep understanding of associated legal agreements and the ability to develop innovative business models for AI deployment in leased spaces. The ideal candidate will possess a strong command of leased data center operations, including site selection, contract negotiation, and lease management, coupled with proven experience navigating the challenges inherent in these processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage Meta's leased and colocation data center location strategy, overseeing site selection for technical due diligence, commercial negotiations, and contract administration.
• Collaborate with teams focused on economic development incentives, energy and utilities, network connectivity, legal, policy, and financial considerations.
• Lead technical feasibility discussions and contract negotiations with landlords, property owners, utility companies, and internal engineering teams to optimize solutions efficiently.
• Serve as a primary liaison between Meta Engineering and Landlord Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to align solutions with customer needs.
• Coordinate lease contract amendments in response to evolving business needs, improved business terms, or feedback from field engineering teams.
• Negotiate letters of intent, lease agreements, service agreements, and other facility-specific agreements.
• Partner with internal organizations, including capacity planning, site selection managers, energy teams, data center design, construction, network engineering, legal, policy, communications, and finance, to align on key business terms.
• Develop innovative ideas for improving metrics and tracking mechanisms.
• Manage supplier relationships and promote best practices.
• Perform market analysis and develop a leasing site selection strategy.
• Stay informed about technical, market, and regulatory developments in the data center industry.
• Contribute to organizational strategy and the development of leasing standards at Meta.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed (10% to 25% at times).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, paralegal studies, or a technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in leased data center site selection, engineering, design, construction, contract management, and/or development of data centers or other large-scale or mission-critical capital projects.
• Proven experience leading complex negotiations.
• Experience representing business interests to the executive leadership of potential suppliers, utilities, and other stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple projects and coordinating with internal staff, consultants, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with proven ability to effectively distill and communicate complex commercial, market, and contractual details to all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements).
• Advanced technical degree, a law degree, or an MBA.
• Background in engineering, contract management, and understanding of leases, with experience in data center leases.
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews).