Director of Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Diode Ventures

Why Black and Veatch

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities.
 
Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.

Job Summary

The Director of Energy for Digital Infrastructure leads the development and implementation of strategic energy solutions tailored to data center developments. This role is responsible for ensuring that energy strategies align with the rapid growth, reliability, and evolving project objectives required for cloud and AI workloads in North America, specifically the United States and Canada. The Director collaborates with cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions that support the company's expanding digital infrastructure. 

The Team

Diode is a leader in advancing sustainable infrastructure, specializing in renewable energy initiatives, high-performance data centers, and commercial real estate development.  We value open communication, cross-functional collaboration, and a commitment to excellence as we drive transformative projects in fast paced environment. 

Diode is a close-knit and agile team of entrepreneurs who put the client first and uphold a quality of excellence in work to deliver for our customers and our team. 

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Energy Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive energy strategies tailored to data centers, supporting reliability, availability, and flexibility requirements for cloud and AI loads across the region. 
• Commercial Partnership Development: Identify energy partners, such as IPPs, to deliver power to data center sites. Structure contracts with IPPs and utilities for power delivery. 
• Energy Procurement: Oversee energy sourcing and contracting, considering a broad range of solutions including natural gas power plants, fuel cells, SMRs, etc., to secure cost-effective and resilient supplies for data center facilities. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with utilities, government agencies, industry organizations, and internal stakeholders. 
• Project Oversight: Collaborate with project managers, external partners, utilities, and regulatory bodies to develop and drive the energy solution for each project in the portfolio, ensuring that innovative and effective approaches are implemented from conception through development. 
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate risks related to energy supply, regulatory changes, market volatility, and commercial agreements. 
• Sustainability Leadership: Advance strategies for efficient energy use and compliance with relevant energy and environmental regulations in the United States and Canada. 
• Budgeting & Reporting: Support the Project Finance team in providing required information to produce energy cost analyses and data center operations financial models. 
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a team of energy professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. 
• Maintain clear and timely communication with the client regarding all aspects of infrastructure procurement, technical studies, and required updates. This includes providing detailed updates on anticipated timelines, associated costs, and any changes that may impact project delivery.  

Core Competencies:
Strategic Thinking 
Ability to Communicate both Technical and High-Level Concepts
Leadership & Team Development 
Energy Analytics & Optimization
Financial Acumen
Innovation & Technology Adoption
Change Management
Stakeholder Collaboration

• Strategic Energy Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive energy strategies tailored to data centers, supporting reliability, availability, and flexibility requirements for cloud and AI loads across the region. 
• Commercial Partnership Development: Identify energy partners, such as IPPs, to deliver power to data center sites. Structure contracts with IPPs and utilities for power delivery. 
• Energy Procurement: Oversee energy sourcing and contracting, considering a broad range of solutions including natural gas power plants, fuel cells, SMRs, etc., to secure cost-effective and resilient supplies for data center facilities. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with utilities, government agencies, industry organizations, and internal stakeholders. 
• Project Oversight: Collaborate with project managers, external partners, utilities, and regulatory bodies to develop and drive the energy solution for each project in the portfolio, ensuring that innovative and effective approaches are implemented from conception through development. 
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate risks related to energy supply, regulatory changes, market volatility, and commercial agreements. 
• Sustainability Leadership: Advance strategies for efficient energy use and compliance with relevant energy and environmental regulations in the United States and Canada. 
• Budgeting & Reporting: Support the Project Finance team in providing required information to produce energy cost analyses and data center operations financial models. 
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a team of energy professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. 
• Maintain clear and timely communication with the client regarding all aspects of infrastructure procurement, technical studies, and required updates. This includes providing detailed updates on anticipated timelines, associated costs, and any changes that may impact project delivery.  

Core Competencies:
Strategic Thinking 
Ability to Communicate both Technical and High-Level Concepts
Leadership & Team Development 
Energy Analytics & Optimization
Financial Acumen
Innovation & Technology Adoption
Change Management
Stakeholder Collaboration

Management Responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Energy Management, Environmental Science, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• 10+ years of experience in energy management, utilities, or data center development, including substantial experience with natural gas power plants and related commercial agreements, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. 
• Proven track record in developing and executing large-scale energy strategies for data centers serving cloud and AI workloads. 
• Strong understanding of data center infrastructure, power distribution, cooling systems, and backup assets relevant to the region. 
• Knowledge of a wide range of energy solutions is preferred. 
• Knowledge of energy markets, regulatory frameworks, sustainability best practices, and commercial structures for natural gas assets in the United States and Canada. 
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and project management skills. 
• Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate with senior executives, project stakeholders, and external partners. 
• Professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or LEED accreditation are a plus. 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in related field required.

All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Certifications

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or LEED accreditation

Work Environment/Physical Demands

This position is based in Overland Park, KS, with regular travel to project sites and external meetings as required.

The role requires the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and respond to critical project challenges. 

Up to 40% travel, including international travel.

Typical office environment: Sitting, standing, computer usage for extended periods of time. Ability to utilize audio/video conferencing software for communication purposes.

Salary Plan

Job Grade