Position SummaryThe Director, Business Development Operations (BD Ops) is a senior commercial leadership role responsible for helping Rowan structure, negotiate, and execute complex hyperscale data center transactions from initial customer engagement through executed lease.
This individual will serve as a key commercial leader within the Business Development organization, partnering closely with Customer Development, Legal, Finance, Engineering, Energy, Development, and executive leadership to develop innovative commercial structures that create value for both Rowan and its customers.
Beyond transaction execution, this role is expected to demonstrate strong
commercial architecting capabilities bringing creativity, structured problem solving, and commercial innovation to each opportunity. This includes developing new approaches to transaction structures, balancing customer and Rowan objectives, simplifying complexity, and continuously improving how Rowan negotiates and executes large-scale data center transactions.
The successful candidate will bring significant hyperscale data center industry experience and will help establish commercial best practices that become a competitive advantage for Rowan.
Travel: Ability to travel up to 25-50% for company gatherings or to project sites.
Location: Denver, Colorado/Hybrid/Remote
Compensation: $195k - $237k (Bonus, LTIP, Commission)
Primary ResponsibilitiesCommercial Development & Transaction Leadership- Lead commercial development activities across major customer opportunities
- Partner with Customer Development leaders to develop commercial strategies from early customer engagement through executed lease
- Structure and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including LOIs, term sheets, CRAs, leases, strategic partnership agreements, and related transaction documents
- Develop innovative commercial structures that appropriately balance customer requirements, Rowan objectives, financing considerations, and long-term portfolio value
- Identify commercial risks and proactively develop creative solutions
Commercial Architecting- Apply creativity, innovation, and structured problem solving to improve commercial outcomes
- Develop repeatable commercial frameworks that simplify future negotiations and improve execution
- Challenge traditional approaches and identify opportunities to improve Rowan's commercial competitiveness
- Continuously iterate commercial structures based on customer feedback, financing requirements, market trends, and lessons learned from prior transactions
Commercial Program Management- Drive commercial execution across multiple concurrent transactions
- Coordinate cross-functional workstreams involving Legal, Finance, Engineering, Energy, Development, Tax, Insurance, and executive leadership
- Maintain visibility into commercial milestones, risks, dependencies, and critical decision points
- Help remove organizational friction and accelerate decision-making
Strategic Partnerships- Support development of strategic relationships with utilities, financing partners, and other commercial partners
- Evaluate partnership structures that improve Rowan's competitive position
Team Development- Help develop commercial capabilities across the broader BD Ops organization
- Share lessons learned and best practices from active transactions
- Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, innovation, and continuous improvement
Desired Experience- 10+ years of commercial leadership experience within the hyperscale data center industry, including direct participation in large-scale lease negotiations and transaction execution
- Demonstrated experience supporting transactions from early term sheet development through executed lease
- Strong understanding of commercial lease structures, customer negotiations, yield-on-cost transactions, project financing considerations, and long-term infrastructure agreements
- Experience working directly with hyperscale customers, developers, investors, lenders, and legal teams
- Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional commercial initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders
- Strong commercial judgment combined with the ability to develop innovative, practical solutions to complex business challenges
Measures of SuccessSuccess in this role will be measured by:
- Successful execution of complex customer transactions
- Development of innovative commercial structures that improve Rowan's competitiveness
- Speed and quality of transaction execution
- Increased reuse of commercial frameworks and best practices
- Strong cross-functional collaboration
- Customer confidence and satisfaction
- Contribution to Rowan's long-term enterprise value
Fueled by Excellence & CollaborationAt Rowan, we are a distributed team united by a common mission to transform data center delivery. Across our two offices, we offer a hybrid work environment supported by teamwork, technology, and in-office gathering time to help you be successful. We are headquartered in downtown Denver, Colorado and have an office in Seattle, Washington. Our team of talented and passionate individuals is spread out across the U.S.
Here to support youAt Rowan, we want to make sure you can do great work. We offer competitive benefits focused on helping you be and achieve your best.
- Hybrid working environment
- Team building and educational opportunities
- Generous benefits package including robust health benefits and a 401(k)-company contribution
- RTD ECO pass or parking reimbursement
- Competitive compensation, bonus, and an incentive plan