Role Summary:Rowan Digital Infrastructure is looking for a Land Use & Permitting Manager to lead land use, zoning, and entitlement activities for projects across Rowan's data center project portfolio. The Land Use & Permitting Manager will be responsible for oversight of all local, state and federal requirements, collaborate with project leads across Rowan to develop a permitting strategies and schedules in support of project delivery dates; ensure the appropriate team members or contractors are leading permitting efforts and coordinate permitting activities between the Sites and the Engineering, Construction, and Operations (ECO) Teams.
The Land Use & Permitting Manager is a critical part of the team, helping to implement Rowan's land use strategy, ensuring schedules are met, working with consultants on complex issues, and frequently communicating with key team members.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully managing complex development projects with a specific focus on local land use permitting. The successful candidate will have excellent strategic thinking skills, organizational and communication skills, the ability to multitask, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
Travel: Ability to travel up to 30% to project sites
Location: Denver, CO (Hybrid, 3 days/week)
Compensation: $150K - $185K (Offers Bonus)
Essential Responsibilities:- Lead local permitting and entitlement efforts for a portfolio of data center projects
- Lead land use approvals, including annexations, rezoning, use permits, variances, and subdivisions, ensuring land is fully prepared and aligned with construction schedules
- In partnership with key development leads, act as a primary liaison between Rowan and city/county Authority Having Jurisdictions (AHJs) on identifying and tracking local permitting and approvals requirements
- Understand, interpret, communicate and manage permitting risks in critical areas related to land use and construction permitting for internal teams
- Develop and maintain local permitting matrices for each site in Rowan's portfolio
- Act as the subject matter land use expert and local permitting requirements in internal and external reporting. Respond to internal and external stakeholders related to finance, economic development, government affairs, as well as responding to lenders and AHJs
- Support the growth of Rowan by helping establish good project diligence and reporting practices and improving processes and systems as we scale
- Trains and coaches other project leads to support AHJ engagement, entitlements, and permitting in support of Rowan's growth and execution goals
- Evaluation of new regions, policies, and participation in economic development and government affairs review and risk analysis of new potential projects
- Provides inputs to schedules, budgets and other organizational documentation managed by others
Education, Skills and Experience:- Bachelor's degree in a related field (planning, environmental, real estate), preferably a Master's Degree in a related field, and at least 7 years of experience leading large-scale complex site development projects
- Experience analyzing local regulations, leading local AHJ permitting efforts, and working with Planning Staff
- Experienced with researching permit requirements, online regulatory reporting and online reporting platforms and utilizing online GIS databases
- Experience developing permitting matrices and entitlement strategies. Can support or lead multiple efforts concurrently
- Experience communicating with senior leaders and executives at all levels of the organization
- Experience leading complex cross-functional efforts across teams
- Experience working with engineers to ensure alignment on deliverables and permitting schedules, including site plans and building permit approvals
- Experience with data center site development preferred
- AICP certification preferred but not required
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
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
