Senior Director, Legal Counsel - Real Estate Development & Data Centers

Crusoe is building the World’s Favorite AI-first Cloud infrastructure company. We’re pioneering vertically integrated,  purpose-built AI infrastructure solutions trusted by Fortune 500 companies to power their most advanced AI applications. Crusoe is redefining AI cloud infrastructure, with a mission to align the future of computing with the future of the climate. Our AI platform is recognized as the "gold standard" for reliability and performance. Our data centers are optimized for AI workloads and are powered by clean, renewable energy.

Be part of the AI revolution with sustainable technology at Crusoe. Here, you'll drive meaningful innovation, make a tangible impact, and join a team that’s setting the pace for responsible, transformative cloud infrastructure.

About the Role:

The Senior Director, Legal Counsel - Real Estate and Data Centers will serve as Crusoe’s lead lawyer for real estate development, construction, and data center operations. This role is responsible for overseeing legal strategy, ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting the company’s ambitious growth. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in real estate and construction law, with a strong understanding of the data center industry's legal and regulatory nuances.

What You'll Be Working On:

• Real Estate Development & Acquisitions:

  • Draft, review, and negotiate complex real estate agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, (ground leases, build-to-suit), easements and joint venture agreements.

  • Address title matters, property rights, and boundary disputes.

  • Lead legal oversight of site selection, land acquisition, zoning, entitlements, environmental regulations, and permitting.

• Financing & Joint Ventures

  • Conduct and coordinate legal due diligence for construction loans and joint ventures.

  • Support the General Counsel in financing and debt raises, as needed

  • Support recapitalizations and other structured transactions.

• Construction & Project Development:

  • Provide legal counsel across all phases of data center construction, including design, execution, and commissioning.

  • Negotiate Multi-Prime, EPC, GMP, design-build, fixed-price contracts.

  • Handle legal matters related to construction claims, liens, delays, defects, and site safety compliance.

What You'll Bring to the Team:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

• Active license to practice law in [State where company is headquartered or primary operations].

• Minimum of 7-12+ years of progressive legal experience, with a significant portion in real estate development, construction, and/or data center industries. In-house experience strongly preferred.

• Proven expertise in complex commercial real estate transactions, land use, zoning, and environmental law.

• Strong background in construction law, including contract negotiation, claims management, and project delivery methods.

• Familiarity with data center specific legal issues, including colocation agreements, SLAs, and data privacy regulations, is highly desirable.

• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication (written and verbal) skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.

• Strategic thinker with a practical, business-oriented approach to legal issues.

• High ethical standards and integrity.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Bonus Points

• Experience managing an in-house legal department.

• Specific experience with renewable energy aspects of data center development.

• Understanding of IT infrastructure and technology law.

Benefits:

• Industry competitive pay

• Restricted Stock Units in a fast growing, well-funded technology company

• Health insurance package options that include HDHP and PPO, vision, and dental for you and your dependents

• Employer contributions to HSA accounts

• Paid Parental Leave

• Paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability

• Teladoc

• 401(k) with a 100% match up to 4% of salary

• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule

• Cell phone reimbursement

• Tuition reimbursement

• Subscription to the Calm app

• MetLife Legal

• Company paid commuter benefit; $200/month

Compensation Range

Compensation will be paid in the range of up to $239,000 -$299,000 + Bonus. Restricted Stock Units are included in all offers. Compensation to be determined by the applicants knowledge, education, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Crusoe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.