VP of Economic and Community Development

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Lead the government relations strategy for Montera across current and prospective U.S. development markets.

• Act as the primary liaison for state and local government affairs.

• Cultivate relationships with elected officials, government agencies, county commissions, planning and zoning authorities, economic development organizations, and stakeholders in the public sector.

• Keep track of legislative and regulatory changes that impact site selection, project development, infrastructure investment, and operational activities.

• Represent Montera at legislative forums, government meetings, public hearings, industry events, and stakeholder forums.

• Oversee the evaluation, structuring, and negotiation of state and local economic development agreements and incentive packages.

• Conduct due diligence on incentives, tax structures, and public-sector initiatives.

• Collaborate with Site Selection, Development, Finance, and Legal teams on incentive opportunities and contractual safeguards.

• Ensure compliance and uphold stakeholder commitments related to economic development agreements.

• Design and implement a community outreach and engagement strategy from land acquisition through construction and long-term operations.

• Create communication programs that address community priorities, project concerns, and development impacts.

• Incorporate community considerations into site selection, entitlement, permitting, construction planning, and operational processes.

• Foster relationships with organized labor, building trades councils, unions, workforce development organizations, and apprenticeship programs.

• Devise labor engagement and workforce commitment strategies.

• Assist in negotiations regarding project labor agreements, local hiring, workforce development, and construction labor.

• Identify political, regulatory, community, and stakeholder risks that could impact development opportunities.

• Build local market intelligence networks and provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership.

• Evaluate local sentiments regarding data centers, infrastructure, land use, utilities, taxation, and construction.

• Expand and enhance Montera's economic and community development function.

• Select and oversee lobbyists, government affairs consultants, community engagement advisors, and specialized external partners.

• Establish stakeholder mapping, relationship management, reporting standards, operational rhythms, and repeatable engagement playbooks.

• Provide executive visibility into external affairs activities, negotiations, engagement initiatives, and emerging risks.

• Collaborate with Development, Delivery, Legal, Finance, Commercial, and executive leadership teams.

• Report directly to the Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, Urban Planning, or a related field.

• Over 10 years of experience in economic development, government relations, public affairs, site-selection advisory, or similar roles.

• Extensive experience in negotiating large-scale economic development agreements, incentive packages, and related governmental contracts.

• Strong understanding of state and local tax considerations, incentive structures, and legal agreements relevant to economic development projects.

• Familiarity with state and local government operations, including economic development organizations, county commissions, planning and zoning authorities, utility regulators, and state legislatures.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing community engagement strategies for large-scale industrial, energy, infrastructure, or similar development projects.

• Background in managing external lobbyists, consultants, and government affairs partners across various jurisdictions or development markets.

• Experience in engaging organized labor, building trades, or workforce development stakeholders within a construction or infrastructure context.

• Knowledge of project labor agreements, local-hire commitments, workforce development programs, and apprenticeship initiatives.

• Strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills.

• Capability to effectively represent an organization in public hearings, legislative forums, and community settings.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

• Experience in presenting complex issues to public officials, executive leadership, and diverse stakeholder groups.

• Proven ability to build processes, manage competing priorities, and operate independently in a dynamic organizational environment.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the United States.

• Direct experience in supporting hyperscale data center development is preferred.

• Professional background starting in local or state economic development, followed by corporate or private-sector development experience is preferred.

• Experience negotiating incentive agreements for large-scale industrial, energy, digital infrastructure, or capital-intensive development projects is preferred.

• Established connections with economic development organizations, government officials, industry associations, and community stakeholders in major U.S. development markets are preferred.

• Familiarity with hyperscale customer community engagement expectations is preferred.

• Experience in developing community benefit initiatives, local workforce partnerships, or stakeholder commitments is preferred.

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation or a similar professional credential is preferred.

• Experience in establishing government affairs, economic development, or community engagement functions is preferred.

• Ability to identify political, regulatory, and community risks and convert market intelligence into actionable recommendations is preferred.

• Hands-on, relationship-driven leadership style with strong commercial judgment is preferred.

• Professional, reliable remote work setup and availability during working hours is required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage; the employer covers 90% of health premiums for employees and their dependents.

• Up to 8 weeks of paid time off per year, including holidays, PTO, and sick leave.

• Up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave after 6 months of employment.

• 401(k) plan with immediate eligibility, no vesting requirement, and employer match contributions up to 6%.

• Up to $3,500 reimbursed annually for approved courses, certifications, conferences, and professional development opportunities.

• Remote work stipend.

• Annual performance-based bonus.

• Flexibility for remote-first work.

• Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.

• Direct influence, autonomy, and meaningful rewards.