Vice President, Regional External Affairs – North East

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New Jersey, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Create and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy for the region that aligns with QTS's growth, operational, development, and public policy goals.

• Spearhead and coordinate integrated advocacy campaigns at both state and local levels to further business objectives and aid market expansion.

• Lead and cultivate a high-performing regional team by establishing clear priorities, accountability, performance expectations, and opportunities for professional growth.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure external affairs strategies are in sync with corporate objectives and operational priorities.

• Oversee regional operating plans, budgets, consultants, and external resources to support legislative, regulatory, business development, community engagement, and growth initiatives.

• Develop and sustain influential relationships with elected officials, regulatory agencies, economic development entities, business leaders, and community stakeholders.

• Anticipate and address emerging political, policy, regulatory, and community issues, devising proactive strategies to mitigate risks and create opportunities.

• Act as a member of the External Affairs leadership team, contributing to enterprise-wide strategies, organizational development, and long-term planning.

• Represent QTS externally as a senior leader and trusted advocate, promoting the company's mission, values, and growth objectives.

• Direct government affairs, legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, and public policy initiatives across the region.

• Formulate stakeholder engagement strategies that foster trust, support development goals, and enhance QTS's reputation.

• Serve as QTS's senior regional representative with community leaders, business organizations, educational institutions, and other key stakeholders.

• Collaborate with Development, Site Selection, Energy Strategy, and Operations teams to facilitate market expansion, site development, infrastructure investments, and growth initiatives.

• Offer strategic counsel to senior leadership on political, regulatory, economic, and community dynamics impacting the business.

• Support high-profile development, policy, permitting, and reputational matters through proactive planning and stakeholder strategies.

• Lead and develop a high-performing regional external affairs organization.

• Promote accountability, operational excellence, resource stewardship, and measurable business outcomes throughout the region.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, Political Science, Business, Communications, Law, Economics, Urban Planning, or related disciplines.

• 12+ years of leadership experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, lobbying, economic development, public affairs, or external affairs, including oversight of a multi-state region.

• Proven track record in leading complex stakeholder engagement, advocacy campaigns, and public policy initiatives.

• Experience in team leadership, budget management, and achieving results within executive-level, cross-functional organizations.

• Comprehensive understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, economic development, and community engagement processes.

• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, utility, telecommunications, or industrial development projects.

• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Industrial Labor Relations, or a related field (preferred).

• Experience in the data center, technology, infrastructure, energy, utility, telecommunications, or real estate sectors (preferred).

• Previous experience in government, legislative affairs, public affairs consulting, lobbying, political campaigns, or economic development (preferred).

• Established connections with state, local, and regional policymakers and industry stakeholders (preferred).

• Experience advising senior executives on complex public policy, reputational, or stakeholder issues (preferred).

🏝️ Benefits

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting.

• Every employee is eligible for bonuses or commissions.

• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days, plus Floating Holidays.

• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP).

• 11 paid Holidays annually, with holiday compensation for worked days.

• Pet and Legal Insurance.

• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program.

• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program.

• Parental Leave.

• Military Benefits Package.

• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program.

• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents.

• QTS Crisis Fund.

• Wellness Program.

• Tuition Reimbursement Program.