Description
The AWS Data Center Planning and Delivery team is seeking an experienced, strategic executive to lead real estate sourcing, acquisitions, and portfolio management for data center infrastructure across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.
As the Director of EMEA Data Center Real Estate & Transactions, you will provide strategic leadership for the end-to-end real estate lifecycle supporting AWS's rapidly expanding data center footprint. This role demands specialized expertise to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, diverse property laws, and varying transaction procedures across multiple EMEA jurisdictions while ensuring consistent execution of our regional infrastructure strategy.
This position will lead and develop a team of real estate professionals distributed across EMEA markets, providing strategic direction, performance management, and professional development to ensure coordinated execution of real estate initiatives that support AWS's mission-critical data center operations.
Key job responsibilities
This position will coordinate comprehensive oversight of acquisitions, disposals, and leasing negotiations across EMEA's complex and fragmented real estate markets for data center development. The Director will standardize processes to reduce transaction timelines, optimize deal terms, and identify strategic portfolio opportunities that align with AWS's infrastructure growth objectives.
Strategic Real Estate Planning & Execution
Lead the development and communication of the comprehensive real estate strategy for all AWS data center clusters in EMEA, analyzing market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and growth scenarios to define optimal site acquisition approaches
Execute the strategic business development plan by partnering cross-functionally with key stakeholders including construction, engineering, energy procurement, public policy, legal, tax, and economic development teams to deliver new data center sites on time and to specification
Develop and maintain long-term strategic partnerships with developers, landowners, and public authorities to support key markets and ensure continuity of data center site supply
Transaction Leadership & Negotiation
Negotiate complex, multi-million-dollar real estate contracts with developers, property owners, public authorities, and other partners, balancing the technical requirements of engineering teams with broader business objectives
Ensure full regulatory compliance across all EMEA jurisdictions while building internal capabilities that reduce dependency on external advisors
Drive standardized transaction processes that optimize deal structures, reduce timelines, and maximize value across the data center portfolio
Team Leadership & Partner Management
Effectively manage multiple concurrent, complex data center real estate projects across the EMEA region, proactively identifying and mitigating risks
Interface with both technical and executive-level teams to align real estate strategy with infrastructure delivery objectives
Build and develop a high-performing team capable of executing sophisticated transactions across diverse markets
Provide strategic recommendations on portfolio optimization and capital allocation for real estate investments
Basic Qualifications
10+ years of progressive real estate experience with at least 5 years focused on commercial real estate transactions, acquisitions, and portfolio management
7+ years of people management experience leading geographically distributed teams across multiple markets
Proven track record negotiating complex, high-value real estate transactions including acquisitions, disposals, and lease agreements
Deep expertise in European real estate markets including knowledge of property laws, regulatory frameworks, and transaction procedures across multiple EMEA jurisdictions
Experience managing large-scale infrastructure or industrial real estate portfolios (data centers, logistics facilities, manufacturing sites, or similar mission-critical assets)
Demonstrated ability to partner cross-functionally with engineering, construction, legal, finance, and executive leadership teams
Strong financial acumen including experience with real estate financial modeling, capital allocation, and portfolio optimization
Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Finance, or related experience
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree (MBA, Master's in Real Estate Development, or related advanced degree)
Data center or mission-critical infrastructure real estate experience with understanding of technical site requirements (power capacity, connectivity, cooling infrastructure)
Experience operating across 10+ European markets with direct knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements in multiple jurisdictions.
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