Land Manager - Data Centres

Position: Project Developer / Senior Project Developer (Data Centres)
Department: Development Team (UK & Ireland)
Location: Flexible within the UK, with weekly in-person reporting to offices in Bristol or Edinburgh
Reporting to: Head of Development / Development Director (UK)

Overview

A leading renewable energy and infrastructure development company is seeking a Project Developer / Senior Project Developer to identify and assess development opportunities for colocation and hyperscale data centres across the UK, with a primary focus on Scotland. This role supports the company’s strategy to diversify its development portfolio.

The successful candidate will lead the business case development, secure senior management approval, and negotiate land agreements. They will collaborate closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, including landowners, grid operators, and planning authorities, to deliver ‘Ready To Build’ (RTB) sites for in-house development or disposal. Extensive travel across the UK will be required, and a car allowance will be provided in lieu of a company vehicle.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify potential sites for development in collaboration with technical teams.
• Conduct mapping, landowner outreach, and stakeholder engagement for identified locations.
• Assist with due diligence on land and property matters related to acquisition or sale opportunities.
• Build relationships with land agents, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and National Grid representatives.
• Negotiate and finalize Heads of Terms and Option Agreements with landowners or their representatives.
• Work with technical teams to assess grid studies, offers, environmental constraints, and planning considerations.
• Support the delivery of projects to achieve company targets.
• Develop and present business cases for development opportunities to senior management for approval.
• Oversee and support the legal process to secure option agreements.
• Collaborate on the planning process to obtain necessary permissions through to financial close.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key project stakeholders, including local authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Monitor project progress and risks, providing regular reporting and insights to senior management.
• Advise on emerging regulations, planning policies, and recent land transactions that may impact land strategies and commercial values.
• Ensure accurate project reporting within required timescales using internal systems.
• Manage project budgets and guide projects through the development process, key decision gateways, and milestones.

Qualifications & Skills

• Degree in planning, surveying, engineering, or an environmental discipline, preferably with or working towards a professional qualification.
• Experience in project management within the data centre, energy, or large-scale infrastructure sectors, with knowledge of planning and permitting processes.
• Strong experience with land agreements and familiarity with property law.
• Confident and skilled negotiator.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and project management skills.
• Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK and Ireland at short notice.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Knowledge of emerging data centre markets and land valuation considerations for such projects is highly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and diversification of a well-established development company within the UK and Ireland.