Description Summary:The Director, Government Affairs serves as the primary liaison between the company and local and state government stakeholders, driving policy alignment and enabling infrastructure expansion. This role will focus on states where the company operates or looks to expand operations.
Essential Duties:- Build and maintain relationships with local and state elected officials, economic and industrial development agencies, chambers of commerce and municipal leaders
- Develop and execute government affairs strategies aligned to data center development (zoning, permitting, utilities, tax incentives)
- Monitor, track, analyze and report on local and state legislative/regulatory activity impacting site selection and operations
- Represent the company in public hearings, council meetings, and community forums
- Coordinate internal stakeholders (legal, real estate, energy, operations) on government-facing initiatives and public communications
- In cooperation with DC BLOX marketing and community engagement teams, draft position statements and external-facing documents, prepare slide decks and talking points for internal and external meetings, and manage briefings for members, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships and incentive programs
- Support site development teams by facilitating government approvals
- Identify, manage and supervise consultants hired to perform any roles described above, with regular reporting to leadership.
Education/Training/Experience:- 5+ years in the data center/technology industries, government affairs, chamber of commerce, or economic development.
- Experience in state policy advocacy, including working directly with local governments and state legislatures in one or more Southeastern states.
- Experience managing third-party lobbying consultants to accomplish organizational objectives.
- Ability to work closely, in a bipartisan fashion, with policymakers and their senior staff.
- Ability to track legislation and local government rules and laws.
- Draft legislative comments and participate in industry-supportive organizations.
- Strong strategic, analytical, and communication skills (oral and written).
- Experience in and an understanding of politics, advocacy, and the legislative process, and the ability to quickly learn numerous policy issues in multiple jurisdictions.
- Solid understanding of policies related to data centers, such as energy, tax and regulatory policy, environmental sustainability, project development, and workforce policy.
