Vice President, Data Center Development & Construction Operations

Headquartered in the Greater Washington area, American Real Estate Partners (AREP) is a US-based leading institutional fund manager and real estate partner with over $13 billion deployed across key U.S. markets. Specializing in data center, residential, industrial, and office assets, AREP has acquired more than 34 million square feet of Class A real estate and currently manages over 25 million square feet.

PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly owned division of AREP, is a developer and owner of next-generation data centers and provides technical real estate solutions for hyperscalers across the country. Backed by strategic joint venture partnerships, PowerHouse leverages its proven leadership and best-in-class technical expertise to deliver innovative real estate solutions.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Data Center Development & Construction Operations will oversee the operational framework, processes, and administrative functions of the Development & Construction department. This role is responsible for ensuring consistency, efficiency, and scalability across our entire portfolio of data center projects. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Data Center Development & Construction, this individual will serve as a key leader, managing internal escalations, optimizing departmental workflows, and mentoring team members. The ideal candidate is a seasoned veteran who will act as the department's operational backbone, enabling project teams to execute flawlessly.

Key Responsibilities

• Process & Workflow Optimization: Develop, implement, and refine departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the full project lifecycle, from acquisition handoff to project closeout. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Portfolio Oversight: Oversee the department's project budgeting and scheduling processes, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and predictability across the portfolio. Aggregate project-level data into departmental and executive-level dashboards, highlighting risks, resource constraints, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Escalation & Problem Solving: Serve as the primary point of escalation for project teams, resolving complex operational, contractual, and logistical challenges that require senior-level intervention.
• Contract & Risk Management: Standardize and manage the RFP, bidding, and contracting framework. Provide senior-level support for complex negotiations and ensure contractual compliance across all projects.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Act as a senior mentor to project managers and other department staff. Guide the professional development of less experienced team members, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• Systems & Reporting: Act as the departmental subject matter expert for job cost tracking software and other management tools. Ensure data integrity and provide regular, comprehensive reports on departmental performance to the Managing Director.
• Compliance & Quality Control: Help ensure that all projects and departmental operations are in compliance with local, state, and Federal laws, permits, and safety regulations. Implement quality control standards and best practices.
• Senior Administration: Manage senior-level administrative functions for the department, including resource planning, pipeline management, and inter-departmental coordination.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary operational liaison to key internal departments. Foster seamless collaboration with Legal for contract review and risk management, Asset Management for business plan and tenant coordination, the Acquisitions team for operational due diligence, and Accounting for budget alignment and financial reporting.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform the typical tasks and duties of the position successfully, the knowledge, skills and/or abilities listed below are required.

• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of commercial real estate development and construction, with a specific focus on mission-critical data centers.
• Demonstrated expertise in creating, implementing, and managing operational processes and workflows within a construction or development organization.
• Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to mentor, develop, and lead teams, driving performance and professional growth.
• Skilled in developing, coordinating, and maintaining program-level and portfolio-wide project schedules and budgets.
• Strong command of construction-related agreements, contracts, and legal documents, with the ability to identify risk and guide negotiations.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with senior management, project teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to diagnose root causes of project issues and implement effective, scalable solutions.
• Strong working knowledge of industry-standard software, including Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Project. Deep experience with job costing and project management platforms is essential.
• Analytical ability to collect, evaluate, and synthesize information to make strategic decisions that affect departmental operations and results.
  
  

Education/Experience:

• B.A. or B.S. degree required; business, construction management, engineering, or architecture/planning related majors preferred. An advanced degree is a plus.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in construction and development management, with a substantive focus on complex data center projects.
• Demonstrated track record of managing departmental operations, developing scalable processes, and leading teams in a high-growth environment.
• Data Center experience required.
  
  

AREP offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your eligible family members, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), life and supplemental life insurance and short and long-term disability insurance. Our package includes Paid Time Off, Parental Leave, 401(k) plan with employer match, Employee Assistance Program and Employee Discount Program.

AREP is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, as well as any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

If you require special accommodation, please email HR@americanrepartners.com.

AREP does not accept unsolicited resumes or identifiable candidate information from third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited information will not be considered for engagement purposes.