[Hiring] Director, Data Center Development @Blue Signal Search

Role Description

A high-growth research and intelligence platform is expanding its coverage of the North American digital infrastructure market and is seeking a senior leader to help shape that effort. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned data center and power infrastructure expert to turn deep industry knowledge, market relationships, and project development experience into differentiated insight that influences high-value investment decisions. The person in this role will help identify where capacity is likely to emerge, where constraints may slow progress, and which projects or regions could shift the market before those signals are widely recognized.

• Lead intelligence gathering across the data center development landscape, focusing on power access, transmission limitations, permitting risk, construction readiness, and commissioning timelines.
• Evaluate proposed and active projects across North America to determine which opportunities are most likely to move forward, encounter delays, or face execution challenges.
• Build a forward-looking view of regional growth by analyzing utility capacity, interconnection processes, substation availability, large load approvals, and broader grid conditions.
• Translate technical and commercial findings into actionable market insight for stakeholders making strategic and investment decisions.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with utilities, developers, EPC firms, consultants, equipment suppliers, and regulatory contacts to uncover nuanced market intelligence.
• Monitor development activity across hyperscale, colocation, AI, and enterprise infrastructure segments, identifying leading indicators tied to growth, slowdown, or shifting demand.
• Track how permitting, land use, environmental review, and local approval dynamics may affect project timing and market attractiveness.
• Assess supply chain and construction factors, including labor availability, contractor capacity, energization schedules, and lead times for critical electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Represent the organization in industry settings, including conferences and direct outreach, to strengthen visibility and deepen proprietary channel insights.

Qualifications

• 12 or more years of experience in data center development, power infrastructure, utility interconnection, transmission planning, industrial construction, or energy infrastructure development.
• Hands-on experience guiding projects through multiple phases such as site selection, utility coordination, permitting, construction execution, and commissioning.
• Deep understanding of data center economics, utility operations, transmission systems, power markets, and the commercial drivers that shape infrastructure deployment.
• Strong network across utilities, developers, engineering and construction partners, equipment suppliers, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize technical, operational, and market inputs into clear intelligence that supports strategic action.
• Strong executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate complex topics to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.

Preferred Education

• MBA
• Master's degree in Power Systems Engineering or Energy Systems
• Juris Doctor with emphasis in land use, environmental matters, or utility regulation