Microsoft is hiring for a new role identifying data center sites across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as it looks to grow its digital infrastructure footprint in the region.

The tech giant is looking for a expedited transactions land acquisitions manager who will seek out sites in EMEA that can be used for data center projects.

According to a previously unreported job posting on LinkedIn, the successful candidate, who can be based in Italy, the Netherlands, or the UK, will “play a pivotal role in leading efforts to acquire land, even prior to zoning being in place.”

This “entails spearheading risk analysis and crafting presentations for scenarios and opportunities where such strategies are viable and beneficial,” the advert says.

The job is described as “a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution and impact to one of the largest data center portfolios,” affording the chosen candidate the “opportunity to help shape and deliver on a strategy to improve and expand our infrastructure in various EMEA markets.”

It appears the role is a new one within Microsoft’s infrastructure, planning, and acquisition team, and comes at a time when the company is rapidly building out its infrastructure to cater to demand for AI services.

Internal documents that leaked in April reportedly show that Microsoft has 5GW of data center space at its disposal, and has obtained more than 500MW of new capacity in the last year. It plans to add a further 1GW in the next 12 months.

Recent developments announced by the company in the EMEA region include a $3.16 billion spending spree in the UK. This will include a new data center campus being planned for the site of the Eggborough power station in North Yorkshire.

In the Middle East, it has invested $1.5 billion in UAE-based company G42. The deal will see the companies work together to deliver a greater range of AI services.