Principal, Power Systems – Data Centers

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop and spearhead RMI’s cross-program strategy and advisory initiatives concentrating on the rapidly expanding data center sector.

• Establish RMI’s foundational theory of change regarding data centers and convert it into unique market offerings.

• Build relationships and explore opportunities with key external partners and clients.

• Oversee intricate cross-program projects within Impact Consulting’s Delivery Excellence Team.

• Identify system-level challenges, leverage points, and interventions that align data center expansion with clean energy deployment, grid reliability, affordability, decarbonization, and community outcomes.

• Integrate insights and expertise from RMI’s programs to formulate a cohesive data center strategy.

• Act as a senior thought leader representing RMI on data center growth, energy infrastructure, and the clean energy transition.

• Create and implement RMI’s data center go-to-market strategy.

• Identify priority client segments, key buyers, pain points, and distinct offerings.

• Foster relationships with hyperscalers, colocation providers, developers, utilities, infrastructure investors, technology providers, and other stakeholders.

• Develop account strategies, pipeline opportunities, concept notes, proposals, scopes of work, staffing plans, delivery methodologies, and commercial models.

• Lead significant, strategically vital data center projects that span multiple RMI programs and capabilities.

• Convert vague client inquiries into structured workstreams, hypotheses, analytical methodologies, and decision-focused outputs.

• Assemble and manage multidisciplinary teams across RMI.

• Ensure accountability for project scope, timeline, budget, quality, and client expectations.

• Synthesize technical inputs into comprehensive executive-level recommendations.

• Guide the creation of rigorous presentations, reports, analyses, and other client deliverables.

• Lead executive client meetings, workshops, working sessions, and presentations.

• Identify project risks and implement corrective measures.

• Shape follow-on opportunities and ensure that lessons learned from delivery inform future offerings and strategy.

• Build RMI’s integrated data center platform across organizational boundaries.

• Identify capability gaps and create repeatable methodologies, analytical modules, frameworks, datasets, and deliverables.

• Capture and institutionalize knowledge from engagements and market interactions.

• Mentor and coach RMI staff while contributing to the broader Impact Consulting leadership community.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of relevant professional experience, with significant experience in data centers, digital infrastructure, energy infrastructure, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the data center ecosystem and meaningful experience in several key areas, including hyperscale or colocation development, power procurement and availability, utility engagement and interconnection, site selection, data center design and construction, sustainability and decarbonization, permitting and regulatory matters, water and cooling, backup generation, and infrastructure investments.

• Proven track record of developing and executing strategies in a fast-paced, ambiguous market.

• Experience leading complex, senior-client-facing consulting, advisory, or strategic projects.

• Ability to structure ambiguous challenges, formulate hypotheses, synthesize complex analyses, and translate technical data into actionable executive recommendations.

• Experience in developing new offerings, shaping client opportunities, and contributing to business development, proposals, or commercial initiatives.

• Strong leadership skills in project and team management, including overseeing multidisciplinary workstreams, timelines, budgets, scope, and stakeholder expectations.

• Ability to create and shape high-quality analytical and client-oriented deliverables.

• Capability to influence senior decision-makers and mobilize teams without direct reporting authority.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.

• Ability to bridge technical expertise with senior-level business decision-making across diverse stakeholders.

• Preferred: 15+ years of professional experience with increasing responsibilities in strategy, commercial, and operational roles.

• Preferred: Graduate degree in engineering, business, economics, public policy, energy, sustainability, or a related discipline.

• Preferred: Direct experience working for or advising hyperscalers, colocation providers, data center developers, utilities serving large-load clients, or digital infrastructure investors.

• Preferred: Experience in strategy or management consulting focused on data centers, energy, infrastructure, technology, or sustainability.

• Preferred: Experience with data center development, site selection, energy procurement, infrastructure strategy, or investment.

• Preferred: Demonstrated success in creating new market offerings or business lines.

• Preferred: Established network within the data center, energy, utility, technology, or infrastructure ecosystem.

• Preferred: Experience leading large, multidisciplinary initiatives involving stakeholders from multiple organizations or sectors.

• Preferred: A blend of industry operating experience and consulting/advisory exposure.

• Ability to work remotely from anywhere in the continental United States.

• Willingness to travel for occasional in-person meetings.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting.

• Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Health savings or flexible spending accounts.

• Support for fertility and hormonal health.

• Mental health and wellness resources.

• Comprehensive leave policies, including parental leave.

• Generous paid time off and sick leave.

• Regional and organization-wide holidays.

• Work-from-home and home technology allowances.

• Opportunities for learning and development.

• Potential for bonuses and merit-based salary increases.

• Options for remote and hybrid work.

• Team events and regional meetups.

• Rewards and recognition programs.

• Coverage for travel expenses related to occasional in-person meetings.