Description Summary:The Director, Data Center Community Relations serves as the primary ambassador and local representative for the company in communities where data center development, construction, or operations are planned and currently exist. This role is responsible for building trust, fostering positive relationships, and maintaining open communication with local government leaders, community stakeholders, media, and residents. The Community Relations Director ensures the company remains informed about local sentiment while effectively communicating the company's vision, investments, and commitment to the community before project development, during construction and after project completion.
Essential Duties:- Community Relations
- Serve as the primary point of contact between the company and the local community.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, municipal leaders, economic development organizations, and other influential community stakeholders and influencers including schools, sports organizations, church leaders, etc.
- Represent the company at community, civic, business, and media events.
- Foster trust and credibility through consistent engagement and transparent communication.
- Work with Public Affairs Director to initiative and coordinate engagement with government officials.
- Present company's Community Promise and align commitments to meet specific community needs
- Public Engagement
- Plan, organize, and participate in town hall meetings, chamber meetings, HOA / neighborhood meetings, stakeholder forums, and community outreach events.
- Engage and align appropriate company teams including government affairs, marketing, finance, and construction to meet and address local community needs and requests.
- Address community questions and concerns and seek feedback related to data center development and operations.
- Ensure community stakeholders are informed about project milestones, benefits, and impacts.
- Media and Public Communications
- Establish and maintain relationships with local media outlets and journalists.
- Serve as a spokesperson or coordinate media engagement in partnership with corporate communications teams.
- Support proactive and responsive communications regarding company activities, announcements, and community initiatives.
- Monitor media coverage and public discourse related to company projects and the broader data center industry.
- Market Intelligence and Stakeholder Monitoring
- Manage the market intelligence process for identifying key stakeholders and influencers and measuring community sentiment ahead of market engagement.
- Maintain an ongoing pulse of the local market by monitoring community sentiment, political developments, economic trends, and stakeholder priorities.
- Identify emerging opportunities, risks, concerns, or issues that could affect company reputation or project success.
- Provide regular updates and strategic insights to company leadership regarding local conditions and stakeholder perspectives.
- Community Investment and Sponsorship Management
- Build relationships with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, workforce development programs, and community groups.
- Identify opportunities for and administer local community investment programs and sponsorship initiatives.
- Evaluate and approve sponsorship requests within established guidelines and budgets.
- Ensure community investments align with company objectives and local priorities.
Education/Training/Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Political Science, Business, Economic Development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 7+ years of experience in community relations, public affairs, government relations, economic development, corporate communications, or stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated success building relationships with government officials, community leaders, and media organizations.
- Strong public speaking, facilitation, and presentation skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholder groups and navigate complex public issues.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in data center development, telecommunications, utilities, energy, infrastructure, commercial real estate, or economic development.
- Familiarity with local government processes, land-use considerations, permitting environments, and community engagement practices.
