Site Selection & Expansion Senior Manager

Company Overview

Syntys is a major data center specialist focused on designing, building, and operating facilities for hyperscalers, AI infrastructure, and wholesale colocation customers across the MENA region. The company has a wider footprint across the region than any other provider and delivers secure, scalable, and efficient digital infrastructure. Its portfolio includes colocation and build-to-suit solutions crafted to support fast-growing industry needs and contribute to the region’s digital economy and investment landscape.

Role Summary

The Site Selection & Expansion Senior Manager will lead the end-to-end process of finding, assessing, securing, and preparing hyperscale-ready data center sites in assigned MENA markets. Reporting to the Vice President – Infrastructure & Site Selection, this role owns the full technical site selection journey, including market scanning, site origination, due diligence, utility coordination, permitting planning, infrastructure feasibility, land acquisition support, and readiness for development.

The role requires close evaluation of power supply, transmission networks, fiber routes, water access, environmental limitations, planning rules, and overall buildability to ensure each shortlisted location can support hyperscale, AI, cloud, and wholesale colocation projects. It also involves working with utilities, telecom operators, regulators, government bodies, landowners, consultants, hyperscalers, and internal engineering teams to ensure sites meet technical, commercial, and operating standards.

Key Accountabilities

• Search for, screen, and narrow down potential sites across assigned markets, including greenfield parcels, brownfield options, and diligence on existing facilities.
• Create long-range expansion plans based on hyperscaler demand, cloud availability zones, latency needs, AI growth, and regional digital infrastructure priorities.
• Identify land, powered shell, redevelopment, and greenfield opportunities that can support hyperscale deployments.
• Build and maintain a land pipeline aligned to expected demand and the company’s expansion roadmap.
• Develop strong networks with developers, investment funds, industrial zones, public agencies, and real estate partners to access off-market opportunities.
• Evaluate target sites commercially and technically, including zoning, environmental constraints, access, and infrastructure readiness, then summarize findings for VP-level go/no-go decisions.
• Compare and rank shortlisted sites using criteria such as proximity to utilities, availability of power and fiber, room for expansion, and ease of regulatory approvals.
• Draft early modular or hybrid concept layouts and fit tests for shortlisted locations in line with the approved design playbook.
• Coordinate daily with authorities, utility companies, and telecom providers to obtain pre-approvals, grid connectivity, and fiber access.
• Prepare feasibility studies and cost models for assigned sites to support executive investment decisions.
• Negotiate with landowners, developers, and property agents on acquisitions, joint ventures, or long-term leases, and escalate final terms for approval.
• Oversee due diligence and legal review for assigned markets alongside internal legal teams.
• Prepare site-specific inputs for hyperscaler qualification submissions, compliance documents, service level agreements, and regional forecasts.
• Ensure regional site strategy is aligned with hyperscaler location preferences, latency requirements, and expansion plans in collaboration with the VP.
• Apply the Syntys design standards to keep site choices aligned with modularity, cost control, energy sustainability, and hyperscaler readiness.
• Work with engineering, legal, commercial, and operations teams to keep site development aligned with broader company priorities and execution plans.
• Lead, guide, and coach a small team of site selection specialists or analysts, set objectives, review outputs, track performance, and provide regular feedback.
• Evaluate constructability and phasing for multi-building campus projects and measure site suitability against internal design standards and hyperscaler expectations.
• Direct technical discussions with transmission and distribution utilities.

Experience and Qualifications

• More than 10 years of progressive experience in site selection, infrastructure planning, and land development.
• At least 3 years of senior management experience handling infrastructure and land strategy in data centers, industrial parks, or hyperscale settings.
• Strong background in working with government departments, utilities, telecom operators, and environmental agencies in the MENA region.
• Hands-on experience engaging with transmission utilities, power authorities, and telecom providers.
• Experience in securing permits for industrial or mission-critical developments.
• Demonstrated success in closing land transactions, enabling utilities, and progressing permits in fast-moving, growth-oriented environments.
• Direct experience with hyperscalers and wholesale customers is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Architecture, or a similar field.
• Master’s degree in Infrastructure Planning, Real Estate Development, MBA, or Engineering Management is preferred.
• English fluency is required; Arabic is an advantage.

Additional Information

The role is based in Doha, Qatar and is a full-time onsite position. The employer has not specified salary, number of openings, start date, or application deadline. No internship duration is applicable.

Team and Market Coverage

The position focuses on assigned markets within the MENA region and includes managing site strategy, market expansion, and coordination with both internal and external stakeholders across those markets.

Working Style

This role involves frequent collaboration with cross-functional teams and external partners, plus active leadership of a small specialist team. The work spans technical assessment, commercial negotiation, regulatory coordination, and strategic planning.