About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers 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.

Position Overview

Vantage is looking for a detail-oriented Permitting Manager to be based in Frankfurt or Berlin, offering a hybrid working model.

In this role you will enable the successful implementation of development strategies for both new and existing data center campuses, in line with changing environmental and legislative demands, specific to Germany and the DACH region.

This position is responsible for a single key function in the Vantage NSD team, namely, attainment of permits, in region. This position will oversee all activities required to undertake (from) pre-application submissions (through) to submission and attainment of the necessary entitlements and permits to construct and operate Vantage’s Data Centers. In addition, the role entails the creation and implementation of regional strategies regarding entitlement and permitting, through early involvement from the onset of a new development, working closely alongside the Development, Design Engineering, Sustainability and Public Policy teams.

Constant communication with Business Development (including Site Selection & Acquisition and Public Policy), Sustainability, Design Engineering, Development, Construction, Operations and Marketing, alongside subject matter experts (planning and permit consultants) will be required to keep pace with Vantage’s strategic land and development goals. Reporting and delivery of responsibilities will be escalated centrally to the Principal Permitting and Entitlement lead.

Essential Job Functions

Subject matter expert (SME) for building permits and licenses in German markets, and the link between the New Site Development, Construction and Operations team.
Manage the strategic and tactical positioning and attainment of Vantage’s environmental and building permit applications, driving end-to end management and delivery of development related permits, in Germany, with expansion in to the DACH region.
Act as internal subject matter expert in the field of entitlement and permitting.
Act as a centralized individual contributor in the field of permitting.
Understand the permitting process across Vantage’s existing German market, and develop strategies to standardize, improve and track.
Set strategic direction for planning and permitting during the early stages of Vantage’s development gating process, from site selection process (strategic), through to pre-application and full submission (tactical).
Work closely with the respective Development Management and Development Delivery (Construction) teams and where necessary Operations team. Namely,
- Work with and assist colleagues across the Company in setting permitting strategy
- Work with and assist colleagues in the selection and appointment of permitting consultancy/advisory
- Work with and assist colleagues in the evaluation and performance of consultancy/advisory.
Review and standardize permitting strategy and documents, for new and existing sites, working closely with the Development team.
Push to improve and coach project teams who are creating permit documentation, and ensure permits are fit for operational requirements.

Duties

Tracking all entitlement and permitting across German markets.
Assisting the Site Selection & Acquisition Team in identifying and selecting new sites in existing and new markets in line with the strategy and wider EMEA approach.
Actively pursue permit decisions, working with project leadership and appointed advisory.
Provide SME input into the Site Selection phase, setting strategy for the achievement of all necessary permits, commenting on the chances of success, and risk profiling - working with advisory as required.
Work with legal advisory to ensure permitting strategies are sound, deliverable, and robust. Work with legal advisory to ensure permitting submissions are full and proper to maximise timely permit decisions.
Actively develop and continue build strategy start point of data centers by way of design delivery, technical issues, specifications, considerations relevant to permitting requirement and permitting success.
Provide support to Construction & Operations teams as entitlement and permitting SME.
Ensure lessons learned are held and placed in the feedback loop to drive continuous improvement.
Report status of all projects (from an entitlement and permitting perspective) to management through centralized tracking/trackers.
Understand business strategies to align product development and innovation to drive success.
Consultant/Vendor/Contractor qualification and network management/expansion for use on existing and new program opportunities.

Work closely with Public Policy team (during site selection and acquisition phase) to align on strategy.
National travel will be required, with some international travel.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

University Degree.
Construction and/or Project Management experience, alongside recent permitting management.
Project management skills tracking and accompanying multiple projects.
Strong IT skills; ability to use multiple communication tools and packages, Advanced Excel knowledge essential.
Data Center experience is preferred, but not required.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical needs.
Excellent relationship building skills.
Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative manner.
Excellent verbal and written comprehension skills.
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.
Able to work under pressure.
Flexible, adaptable and self-directed; able to work in a variety of circumstances; eg: remotely, while travelling, across multiple time zones, cross functionally, by project, etc.
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.

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 Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers 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 Data Centers.

Vantage Data Centers Germany

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