Investment Director – Asset Management; Data Centers

What You’ll Do

Join a high-performing team deploying capital in one of the fastest-growing real estate sectors. As an Investment Director of Asset Management on our data center team, you’ll drive the performance and optimization of a data center portfolio. This role carries responsibility for financial and operational performance of assets, driving value creation, and ensuring alignment with broader investment strategies and risk management parameters.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in data center asset management—covering leasing, power infrastructure, construction oversight, and hyperscale/enterprise tenant dynamics—while also partnering with portfolio management team and supporting capital markets activities including acquisitions and dispositions.

• Engage with portfolio manager to shape the portfolio strategy and performance of a national/international portfolio of data centers, driving financial results, tenant satisfaction, and long-term value creation.
• Develop and execute business plans, including leasing, capital improvements, risk management, and execution of development/redevelopment projects.
• Monitor and optimize asset performance (NOI, occupancy, power usage effectiveness, operating expenses, lease performance) through financial and operational analysis.
• Partner with internal teams (development, engineering, finance, ESG, legal) and third parties (property management, leasing) to ensure operational excellence.
• Collaborate with Portfolio Management and Capital Markets on acquisitions, dispositions, underwriting, and due diligence, providing market insights to support investment decisions.
• Prepare and deliver financial reporting, forecasts, and performance updates for leadership, investment committees, and institutional investors.
• Stay ahead of market and industry trends in the data center sector to inform strategy and drive innovation.

Principal Asset Management is the global investment solutions business for Principal Financial Group®(Nasdaq: PFG), managing $579.8 billion in assets including $102.2 billion in real estate assets, and recognized as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management” for 13 consecutive years. We are a global leader in data center investment and asset management, with $11 billion in assets under management. Since entering the data center sector in 2007, we have completed 28 transactions across 19 markets and 6 countries.

Our strategy spans development, value‑add acquisitions, disciplined market selection, and partnerships with leading operators and investors.

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, or related field required; MBA or CFA preferred.
• 8+ years in asset management, real estate investment, or infrastructure, with direct experience in data centers, mission critical facilities, or digital infrastructure. Data center experience required.
• Strong understanding of data center development, operations, including power, cooling, and network infrastructure.
• Familiarity with real estate investment structures, leasing, and capital markets. Proven track record of managing large-scale assets or portfolios, driving asset value, and delivering strong financial and operational outcomes.
• Strong executive presence and financial modeling, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities. Ability to influence across functional groups.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and evolving environment.
• Familiarity with ESG principles and their application in data center operations.
• Proficiency with financial modeling and performance reporting tools.
• Willingness to travel.

Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non‑sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be…