Vice President, Regional External Affairs – West

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

📋 Description

• Formulate and implement a detailed external affairs strategy for the region that aligns with QTS's growth, operational, developmental, and public policy goals.

• Spearhead and coordinate comprehensive advocacy initiatives at both state and local levels to further business priorities and facilitate market expansion.

• Lead and nurture a high-performing regional team consisting of approximately 10–12 members.

• Collaborate with leaders across various functions including Communications, Marketing, Legal, Development, Energy Strategy, Operations, and the Executive Team.

• Oversee regional operational plans, budgets, consultants, and external resources.

• Establish and maintain connections with elected officials, regulatory bodies, economic development organizations, business leaders, and community stakeholders.

• Proactively identify emerging political, policy, regulatory, and community issues and devise strategies to address them.

• Contribute to the overall enterprise strategy, organizational development, and long-term planning as part of the External Affairs leadership team.

• Act as a senior leader and trusted advocate representing QTS externally.

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

• Develop stakeholder engagement strategies that foster trust, support development goals, and enhance the reputation of QTS.

• Assist in market expansion, site development, infrastructure investments, and growth initiatives in collaboration with Development, Site Selection, Energy Strategy, and Operations teams.

• Provide senior leadership with insights on political, regulatory, economic, and community dynamics.

• Lead and cultivate the regional external affairs organization, ensuring accountability, operational excellence, resource management, and measurable business results.

• Execute additional duties as required.

⛳️ Requirements

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

• Over 12 years of leadership experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, lobbying, economic development, public affairs, or external affairs, with a focus on a multi-state region.

• Proven success in leading complex stakeholder engagement, advocacy campaigns, and public policy projects.

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

• Strong grasp of legislative, regulatory, permitting, economic development, and community engagement processes.

• Background in supporting large-scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, utility, telecommunications, or industrial development initiatives.

• Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned region.

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Industrial Labor Relations, or a related area.

• Experience in data centers, technology, infrastructure, energy, utility, telecommunications, or real estate sectors.

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

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

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

🏝️ Benefits

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

• Every employee is eligible for bonuses or commissions.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), paid volunteer days, plus floating holidays.

• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP).

• 11 paid holidays annually with holiday compensation for work performed on holidays.

• Pet and legal insurance options.

• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program.

• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program.

• Parental leave provisions.

• Military benefits package.

• QTS charitable matching gift program.

• QTS scholarship available for employee dependents.

• QTS crisis fund.

• Wellness program initiatives.

• Tuition reimbursement program.

• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.