VICE PRESIDENT ENERGY

DC BLOX is entering a new chapter of growth enabling Hyperscale, mid-market and edge multi-tenant data center solutions. The Company builds new, state-of-the-art data centers fully connected by a high-speed, low-latency private network throughout emerging markets across the Southeast. DC BLOX continues to stand out as a unique pure-play data center operator focused on underserved growing cities to include scaling its robust infrastructure to offer local communities the next generation of digital commerce.

As the data center market experiences “hurricane force tailwinds” the industry is rushing to fulfill this new order of magnitude of capacity development. AI, Machine Learning, Liquid Cooling, and other technological advancements require revolutionary new architectures which consume more power and require increasing levels of capital. DC BLOX is currently building campuses which may comprise ~30% of utility’s total current power allocation. Power is one of the top 3 largest costs of building and managing a data center.

DC BLOX relationship value with utilities has never been more important. Proactive, sophisticated, and complex negotiations with the utilities are proving their strategic competitive advantage. The Vice President of Energy (VPE) position will leverage his/her subject matter expertise with the executive team to support the development of DC BLOX’s hyperscale single tenant and multi-tenant data center facilities. This requires monitoring the regulatory and political environments, maintaining relationships with utility partners, surveying and evaluating strategies for alternative energy supplies, and advancing DC BLOX’s position on clean energy and sustainability.

Reporting to Mark Masi, EVP Data Center Development, and working in extensive collaboration with the executive team, the VPE requires a deep understanding of power and generation, how the industry is built, and what mechanisms are in place to leverage for DC BLOX advantage. The VPE will answer the pressing question of “Where will we source energy to support the need for more hyperscale data centers in the future?” Overseeing and managing the procurement of energy to ensure that DC BLOX has sufficient energy sources to continue developing its data center portfolio operates efficiently and sustainably is the pressing priority. This requires the VPE to possess a unique combination of technical and business credentials for impactful success from the onset.

 

CHARTER

Energy Planning –

– Develop strategic energy management business plans that enhance and maximize energy capacity growth at established and future data center sites.
– Author, implement, and execute DC BLOX energy program that provide a strategic competitive edge.
– Lead both utility planning and onsite power generation strategies ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives.
– Evaluate and develop a suite of power solutions including self-generation, grid-interactive, private developer partnerships, renewable offtakes, etc.

Energy Procurement –

– Realize material cost savings and value contribution resulting from energy procurement market knowledge, analysis, and negotiations.
– Successfully negotiate power rates with utilities relating to data center electrical infrastructure requirements to include industrial transmission and distribution systems.
– Secure effective energy contracts to ensure consistent, reliable, and sustainable power supply to support data centers existing operations and future developments.
– Evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative energy procurement strategies that optimize energy costs and ensure sustainability.

Innovation and Sustainability –

– Actively monitor market knowledge, emerging technologies, and industry trends in energy generation and sustainability.
– Drive initiatives to integrate innovative, alternative, and renewable energy sources which optimize energy efficiency, and advance sustainability goals.
– Implement renewable energy initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of data centers.
– Evaluate Environmental Health and Safety and sustainability impacts of energy solutions, integrating into recommendation criteria.

Commercial Development –

– Engaged subject matter expert (SME) on energy-related matters to identify, develop, and secure required power for strategic market locations.
– Engage with local community utilities, cooperatives, municipalities, and regulatory bodies to ensure confidence in development capital requirements in existing and new markets.

Business & Financial Acumen –

– Influence executive leadership and internal/external cross functional stakeholders via strategic thinking and informative data that reinforces the business case.
– Develop the business case and budget to support required energy program strategic initiatives to include CAPEX and OPEX assessments.
– Monitor and report on energy costs, complex fee structures, consumption, and recovery that align energy strategy with financial objectives, optimizing return on investment.

Risk Management –

– Evaluate and mitigate risks associated with energy procurement, availability, and consumption which threaten the company’s expansion goals
– Evaluate alternatives and develop contingency plans to address potential energy supply issues.

Collaboration –

– Champion alignment with energy plan with partners and stakeholders, both internal and external, to achieve desired outcomes for multiple concurrent initiatives.
– Engaged relationships with customers, energy suppliers, and service providers to ensure integrity and alignment of contracts / SLA’s.

Regulatory Compliance –

– Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements related to energy procurement and consumption.
– Stay informed about energy regulations, legislation, and incentives.

Data Analysis and Reporting –

– Analyze data related to energy consumption, costs, and savings to proactively share in support of sales, development, construction, operations, and finance decision making.
– Prepare and present reports on energy procurement activities and performance addressing complex infrastructure rate fees and structures.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

General –

– Energy specific procurement, project management, financial analysis, and contracts and regulatory compliance managing a multi-location portfolio of digital infrastructure assets.
– Knowledge of applicable environmental regulations and legislation facing the energy and data center industries to utilize in state, local and community incentive negotiations
– History of building and leading high performing teams and cultures.
– History of successful project management in conditions with tight deadlines, complex power contracts, and multiple stakeholders, internally and externally.
– Proven creative strategic thinker and problem-solving abilities with commercial and technical issues.
– Travel as required to support business health and welfare. Estimate up to 20%.

 

Technical –

– High voltage systems, time-of-use rates, interruptible rates, Demand Side Management, real-time pricing, load shifting/shaping/shaving, transmission service vs. distribution service, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable energy technology/practices
– In-depth knowledge of data center electrical and mechanical infrastructure to optimize energy use for medium and large-scale transmission and distribution systems.
– Technological and engineering knowledge to develop solutions to complex power delivery, capacity, and load growth equations.
– A breadth of power generation, back-up generation, substations, transformers, and electrical/mechanical engineering best practices.
– Development and/or utilization of energy usage data and data modeling software.
– Knowledge of applicable environmental regulations and legislation facing the energy and data center industries.
– Development of analytical tools, processes, and procedures to establish standards, maximize efficiency, and enhance data center growth and energy capacity.

 

WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH DC BLOX

Impact – An opportunity to put your fingerprint on a formidable growth chapter of an established yet emerging company poised for continued growth and scale. The VP Energy will dramatically impact the competitive advantage and rate of growth trajectory for DC BLOX.

Chapter – The VPE is a relatively new role in a relatively new industry. Everything is new to all parties in the equation. This is an incredibly unique chapter in any market’s evolution. This role is determining and defining outcomes that set a standard and endure into the future. 

Leadership – DC BLOX’s executive teams’ precedent success and credentials growing successful businesses together rival any industry competitor. The confidence in the success this organization can provide to existing and prospective customers is rare and compelling.

Focus – DC BLOX’s success is a result of an intense commitment to empower digital commerce, connect, and collaborate across organizations in the Southeast. They are capitalizing on this expansion by raising additional capital to deliver digital infrastructure capacity to metro markets.

 Financial Strength – DC BLOX has secured funding by Bain Capital and Post Road Group to finance credit facilities, add liquidity to the balance sheet, and fund additional capacity in existing and new data centers.

Culture – DC BLOX’s culture embodies the dynamics of a start-up, with opportunities for every single person to define their contribution to progress of the organization. This requires creative, confident, forward-thinking professionals who solve problems rather than wait for answers.

 

COMPENSATION

The compensation package for the VPE is comprised of a competitive base salary, annual performance bonus, and long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity participation. Final compensation is contingent on several factors, including extent of qualifications, skills, competencies, and applied experience. A comprehensive benefits program includes medical, dental, optical, and pharmaceutical, and 401K participation.

 

SEARCH PROCESS

CFS Partners makes formal candidate recommendations following a situation and Interest call, receipt of resume, and a more formal Interview to address Key Qualifying Criteria specific to the VPE. Initial calls with Mark Masi will qualify a short list of candidates to meet with other members of the Senior Leadership Team either via videoconference and/or in person. A finalist will be selected and offer extended, the acceptance of which will be contingent upon positive references and background check.