[Hiring] Development Manager @Nscale

Role Description

Nscale is seeking a Development Manager to drive the development of new AI data center sites across the Americas, advancing projects from site control through due diligence, entitlement, permitting, and design coordination to Final Investment Decision (FID). Reporting to the Director, Data Center Development, you will own a set of assigned development projects end-to-end, directing external consultants and mentoring junior team members while delivering Nscale's speed to market.

You will be the day-to-day owner of your projects, managing diligence, entitlements, utility coordination, and design, energy, and preconstruction workstreams, and you will be accountable for keeping schedules, budgets, and risks on track to bring shovel-ready, powered sites to FID.

What You'll be Doing

• Development Execution
  • Manage assigned AI data center development projects from site control through diligence, entitlement, and FID.
  • Develop and maintain project development plans, budgets, and schedules, driving speed-to-power and speed-to-market.
  • Run the development lifecycle day-to-day, including site control, due diligence, entitlements, permitting, utility coordination, and design management.
  • Coordinate cross-functional workstreams across Energy and Power, Design, Preconstruction, and Sales, escalating key risks and decisions to the Director.
• Site Control, Due Diligence & Entitlements
  • Develop and support the entitlement strategy for each site, including zoning approach, platting, and the permitting pathway with the relevant authorities.
  • Manage site due diligence, including title, survey, geotechnical, environmental, zoning, and utility studies, identifying, tracking, and mitigating risks.
  • Support land acquisition and site-control transactions (purchase, option, ground lease) in partnership with Legal and external resources.
  • Execute entitlement and permitting strategy, managing applications, hearings, land-use counsel, and consultants to de-risk the path to FID.
  • Work with Energy and Power teams on utility interconnection and self-generation power procurement to validate deliverability.
• Project Delivery & Financial Oversight
  • Build and manage project development budgets and total development cost, supporting Preconstruction and Finance on capital planning and FID packages.
  • Track project milestones, costs, and risks, and maintain accurate, timely reporting for the Director and executive leadership.
  • Direct external consultants, engineers, and design partners through the development phase.
  • Contribute to the standardization and continuous improvement of development processes, playbooks, and reporting.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Represent projects in internal reviews and in external settings, including public hearings (planning commissions, city council meetings, etc.), utility provider meetings, and third-party meetings.
  • Build and maintain relationships with landowners, developers, brokers, utilities, and local authorities.
  • Mentor associates and analysts, providing day-to-day direction and supporting their professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of related experience in data center, commercial real estate, or infrastructure development, with a track record of advancing complex projects from site selection toward construction.
• Hands-on expertise across the development lifecycle, including site control, due diligence, entitlements and permitting, and design coordination.
• Experience managing development budgets and schedules and contributing to FID or capital approval packages.
• Working knowledge of power and utility interconnection and its role in data center deliverability.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and external partners in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office tools.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% based on business needs.

Nice to Have

• Data center or mission-critical facility development experience (strongly preferred).
• Experience presenting projects at public hearings, planning commissions, or city council meetings.
• Familiarity with self-generation or behind-the-meter power strategies for large-load sites.

What We Can Offer You

• Highly competitive package, including base salary and equity, with reviews every 12 months.
• Join one of the fastest-growing tech startups: your chance to push boundaries, collaborate with brilliant minds, and make your mark on cutting-edge AI.
• Expect a dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions. Grow by trying new things, leading, challenging the status quo, and owning your impact, always with our full support.
• Human-first flexibility. We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy to shape your day around life's moments.
• Join our thriving remote-first team. Geography is no barrier to impact or connection. We build seamless virtual collaboration, empowering you wherever you work.

Salary Range

$110,000 — $165,000 USD