Site Selection Director, Japan

About Vantage

Vantage powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

The Site Selection & Acquisitions (SSA) team is responsible for delivering quality sites for Vantage’s data center development. The team sources, evaluates, pre-qualifies, and completes initial due diligence leading to site acquisitions that support Vantage’s data center business across APAC. The team collaborates with Market Strategy, Sales, New Site Development, Design & Engineering, Construction, Operations, Legal, Finance and the Vantage Senior Leadership Team.

Ambitious growth of the core business has resulted in the Site Selection and Acquisitions team hiring top talent – internationally. Our headcount continues to increase, and this brings with it exciting opportunities for growth & learning. Join our team and your career will accelerate on the back of your exposure to the kind of responsibilities and variety that come with being part of an expanding business.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing various data center site selection activities in line with Vantage’s strategic goals. Key elements of the role will include site selection for specific regions or markets, coordination with the Strategy and Market Intelligence team to deliver quality sites capable of supporting hyperscale data center campuses. This role is responsible for the acquisition strategy through pre-qualification, site due diligence, acquisition, closing and post-close management. Delivering sites in existing and future markets for Vantage that you would be given responsibility and support the larger SSA team to continue to expand across APAC will underpin all aspects of the role.

Essential Job Functions

- Deliver quality sites in identified markets within key performance indicators regarding timing, project schedule, costs, risks, and technical requirements. This can be done through sourcing site through personal relationships, through third parties and from within the Vantage ecosystem/ relationships.
- Lead all conversations and documentation for new site opportunities that are received through a bid process from third parties. Manage the interactions with Seller/ its agents, prepare expression of interest (EoI)/ letter of intent (LoI)/ presentation decks and work with internal teams to determine site’s suitability and price potential.
- Prepare all internal documentation with regard to shortlisting a site as per standard internal Vantage process. Thes would be put together along with transaction managers of SSA and other relevant team members.
- Lead all initial transaction closure related conversations such negotiating commercial terms, securing internal approval before those terms are finalised in an LoI or an equivalent document. Work closely with transaction managers of SSA who would support in taking the site acquisition to its complete closure.
- Manage various aspects of site selection such as if all necessary use approvals have been secured by Seller, negotiations with landowners/ developers on non commercial terms such as easement, securing power approval/ infrastructure, support public policy team where community outreach is required and understand and ensure
- implementation of necessary land transfer processes of local authorities having jurisdiction’s.
- Coordinate local efforts with the various city planners, city councils, utilities and other relevant stakeholders that are critical to a project’s success in the various local markets.
- · Represent Vantage in the best light to local officials and effectively communicate the benefits and value of wholesale data center campuses in their vicinity along with the public policy team
- Work with Vice President, SSA, APAC to execute near term and multi-year strategic plans for the portfolio in conjunction with the Company’s Strategy. Work closely with VP, SSA, APAC to coordinate with Market Strategy, Sales, Corporate Development & other teams in preparation of this strategy, if required.
- At the appropriate time, transition projects to the New Site Development team. Thereafter continue to work with legal & finance team to ensure site closure as per schedule and site handover completed as required.
- Maintain responsibility for Seller/ developer engagement for all sites through the Design/Build/Operate cycles for activities related to Site Selection responsibilities.

Duties

- Based on direction from internal stakeholders, deliver site selection options for new and existing markets within specified target areas on a regular basis.
- Shortlist sites, negotiate best-in-class commercial terms for transactions and manage acquisition through closing and title registration.
- Be the subject matter expert to the internal Vantage teams downstream of Site Selection on all site characteristics and transaction details.
- Ensure all site data is stored, reported, and incorporated into Vantage plans-of-record.
- Provide support to the New Site Development, Design & Engineering, Construction and Operations teams from concept through shovel ready state.
- Coordinate with local real estate brokers/agents and consultants who will assist us in locating target properties.
- Ensure lessons learned are held and placed in the feedback loop to drive continuous improvement.
- Report status of all projects progressing through due diligence (risks, schedule, quality, and budget) to management.
- Stay abreast of new technologies and opportunities to innovate build models and impact site selection methods, approaches, and criteria.
- Coordinate with Finance, New Site Development/Design & Engineering/Construction Management Teams to establish project budgets and analyze design impacts on build costs and submit approval packages to the Executive Team.
- Coordinate with local authorities, utilities, and government officials (with Executive support/approval).
- Carry out preliminary evaluation of all new sites and new geographical markets in the current country of responsibility or any country identified for expansion. This includes the preliminary screening of all incoming new sites and opportunities, assuring all required documentation are gathered and analysis undertaken.
- Assist in managing and expediting development activities and communicating entitlement and approval timelines.
- Working with our internal Counsel and local counsel, oversee the drafting of all relevant acquisition documents within the acquisition life cycle, including Letters of Interest, Bid Documents, all forms of non-binding offers, Sale and Purchase Agreements, Asset Purchase Agreements, Share Purchase Vehicles, and related acquisition vehicles with the support of the Site Selection Manager and/or Transaction Manager.
- Determine project feasibility, environmental review, due diligence, and risk assessment.
- Effectively and constructively manage and coordinate the services of professional consultants such as planners, land use attorneys, energy development, and connectivity consultants, environmental, emissions, and others.

Job Requirements

- Extensive experience in sourcing, negotiating, and acquiring large, complex sites with a high volume and velocity of deal flow in Japan.
- A strong business network across the real estate sector (C-Suite access).
- Minimum of +10 years’ experience in a real estate role for large, complex infrastructure projects.
- Bachelor of Science degree in City Planning, Commercial Real Estate, Civil Engineering, Law, Surveying, or related field is preferred but not required.
- Direct, hands-on experience in negotiating acquisitions and acquiring sites zoned for industrial, technical, or data center uses is a must.
- Strong IT skills; ability to use multiple communication tools and packages
- Tableau and Power BI skills preferred.
- ArcGIS skills highly preferred.
- Must possess excellent analytical skills with understanding of real estate finance, project IRR, and discounted cash flow analysis.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical needs.
- Ability to effectively respond to sensitive issues, complex inquiries, or complaints.
- Ability to make effective presentations on general topics.
- Skilled at solving problems and dealing with a variety of options with limited information.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills at all levels of the organization and with other stakeholders and third parties such as suppliers.
- Flexible, adaptable, team-player and self-directed; able to work in a variety of circumstances, e.g.: remotely, while travelling, across multiple time zones, cross functionally, by project, etc. This role would require travel domestically and internationally.
- Must be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of the commercial metrics which drive a successful real estate development.
- This position requires an organized individual with the capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously, work well under pressure, and to prioritize work effort, all with minimal supervision.
- Understand and follow Vantage’s core values of Trust, Agility, Respect and Accountability.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Vantage does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage.