How to apply for Site Development Officer (SDO) / Site Acquisition Specialist – Italia

About Unison Infrastructure

Unison Infrastructure is a telecom and renewables infrastructure investment firm funded in partnership with Ardian, a global investment house with over $150 billion in assets under management. Since 2003, Unison has deployed over $1.3 billion and invests in real estate and infrastructure hosting wireless and renewables tenants in the United States and Europe. The company is expanding in Italy and seeks entrepreneurial team members to grow with it.

About the role

The Site Development Officer (SDO) / Site Acquisition Specialist – Italia is responsible for identifying, negotiating, and securing sites for telecom and renewable energy infrastructure in Italy. This role directly supports Unison's expansion of its Italian portfolio by acquiring real estate and infrastructure assets that host wireless and renewables tenants.

A typical day

A typical day might involve researching potential sites, contacting landlords or agents, visiting locations, negotiating lease terms, and coordinating with legal and technical teams. You would also track progress on multiple site acquisitions and report to management on pipeline status.

Who Unison Infrastructure is looking for

• Has experience in site acquisition, real estate, or telecom infrastructure development, ideally in Italy.
• Is entrepreneurial and comfortable working independently to find and negotiate sites.
• Knows Italian real estate and permitting processes, including local regulations and zoning.
• Can manage multiple site negotiations simultaneously and communicate effectively with landlords, agents, and internal teams.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with telecom site acquisition or renewable energy site development in Italy.
• Quantify your track record: number of sites acquired, lease negotiations completed, or permits secured.
• Mention familiarity with Italian real estate markets and local permitting authorities.
• Emphasize your ability to work autonomously and take ownership of the site acquisition process from start to finish.
• If you have worked with international companies or investment-backed firms, note that experience.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your specific experience acquiring sites for telecom or renewable infrastructure in Italy, (2) your ability to negotiate with landlords and navigate Italian permitting, (3) your entrepreneurial approach and comfort with independent work, and (4) why you want to join a growing international infrastructure investor like Unison.

Research before applying

• Review Unison's website and press releases to understand their telecom and renewables projects in Europe, especially Italy.
• Research Ardian, Unison's funding partner, to understand the scale and investment strategy behind the company.
• Look into recent Italian regulations on telecom infrastructure and renewable energy site development.
• Find out which competitors are active in Italian site acquisition and how Unison differentiates itself.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe your experience with site acquisition for telecom or renewable projects in Italy. What types of sites have you secured?
• How do you identify and approach potential landlords or site owners?
• Walk us through a challenging negotiation you handled. What was the outcome?
• What do you know about Unison's current portfolio and expansion plans in Italy?
• How do you manage multiple site acquisition projects with tight deadlines?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without demonstrating knowledge of Italian real estate or permitting processes.
• Failing to show entrepreneurial drive or examples of independent work.
• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention telecom or renewables infrastructure.