Community Engagement Lead - Industrial Compute

OpenAI

1d • $129,600 - $236,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Engagement Lead will serve as the primary liaison between OpenAI and the communities where data centers are being developed. This role is crucial for establishing strong, trust-based relationships with local stakeholders, ensuring proactive communication about projects, and incorporating community priorities into the development process. The position encompasses engagement, communications, and reputation management. As OpenAI expands the physical infrastructure for advanced AI, community acceptance and partnership are essential for mission success. This role will ensure communities understand OpenAI's projects, their significance, and the potential benefits. The Community Engagement Lead will proactively manage dialogue, identify and address concerns before they escalate, and integrate community priorities into project planning, communication, and execution. Operating at the intersection of development, communications, government affairs, and operations, this role manages community relationships from initial contact through construction and ongoing operations. Success will be measured by reduced friction, strengthened partnerships, and fostering a perception of OpenAI as a responsible, long-term neighbor rather than a distant technology company. This role requires the individual to be based in or willing to relocate to the communities where OpenAI is developing data center sites, as regular in-person engagement with local stakeholders is essential. The position requires being onsite at one of our data centers at least 3-5 days per week.

Requirements

• 6+ years in community affairs, public engagement, or corporate communications.
• Proven track record engaging diverse community stakeholders for large infrastructure or technology projects.
• Strong public speaking and facilitation skills in high-stakes environments.
• Ability to manage sensitive political and reputational issues.
• Experience integrating community benefits (workforce, education, infrastructure support) into development strategies.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with experience working across government, community, and corporate teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with local leaders, community organizations, NGOs, and residents.
• Develop and execute community engagement strategies for new and existing sites.
• Translate community feedback into actionable guidance to inform project decisions.
• Represent OpenAI in public forums, hearings, and community events.
• Support economic development on incentive compliance and community benefits.
• Partner with the Environmental Lead on communicating environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.
• Develop proactive communications to address concerns, highlight benefits, and reduce risk of opposition, including during site selection and pre-development phases.
• Monitor community sentiment and advise executives on risks and opportunities.
• Create a community engagement playbook that can scale across geographies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed