Community Engagement Manager, Data Centers (Virginia & West Virginia)

Anthropic

15h•$265,000 - $295,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic is seeking a Community Engagement Manager to serve as its on-the-ground presence in Virginia and West Virginia communities where data centers are sited, built, and operated. The role is part of the Public Policy team and focuses on building long-term relationships and making Anthropic a trusted, visible, and valued neighbor from site selection through construction and ongoing operations. It combines elements of communications and government affairs but is primarily a relationship-building role. The manager will connect Anthropic’s Policy and Infrastructure teams with local officials, community organizations, economic development partners, and residents. They will identify concerns early, explain technical and operational plans in locally understandable terms, and build coalitions that support responsible project development. The role will also develop repeatable engagement processes and a playbook for future markets. Regular travel within Virginia and West Virginia is required, up to 50% of the time, with occasional travel to other Anthropic data center markets.

Requirements

Experience in community affairs, public affairs, economic development, government relations, local or state government, or a closely related field.
Direct experience working for or engaging with local governments and a broad range of community stakeholders on behalf of large infrastructure, construction, energy, or technology projects.
Working understanding of local politics and community dynamics.
Ability to build coalitions and earn and maintain trust with diverse stakeholders, including through difficult conversations.
Ability to represent a company credibly in public settings, including town halls, hearings, and press interviews.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to explain complex operational plans in plain language.
Ability to work independently, quickly learn complex policy issues, and manage concurrent engagements across multiple markets.
Based in Virginia or West Virginia, or willing to relocate to one of those states, and prepared to travel regularly across both states.
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
Relevant field of study demonstrated through coursework, training, or professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Seven or more years of experience in community engagement on data center, utility, energy, or large-scale industrial infrastructure projects, or in local government.
Familiarity with county and municipal land use, zoning, and permitting processes, including rezoning and special use permit hearings in Virginia.
Experience addressing community concerns about data center siting, including noise, transmission lines, water, and proximity to residential areas.
Experience managing corporate social responsibility programs.
Established relationships with economic development, workforce, or civic organizations in the covered markets, including Appalachian and energy-transition communities.
Experience working concurrently with real estate, legal, communications, and policy teams.
Genuine interest in the communities where the work takes place.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain sustained relationships with local and state officials, community groups, civic leaders, educational institutions, and workforce partners in Virginia and West Virginia data center markets.
Develop and execute a community engagement strategy for each market, covering site selection, pre-development, construction, and ongoing operations.
Build external coalitions, host education and listening sessions, and design local solutions that benefit host communities.
Represent Anthropic at public forums, town halls, planning hearings, community events, and with local media.
Monitor community sentiment and local political dynamics, and advise internal teams on risks, opportunities, and appropriate engagement strategies.
Partner with the Real Estate and Infrastructure team to incorporate community input into project planning, communication, and delivery.
Work with the Communications team to develop proactive, locally relevant messaging.
Coordinate charitable giving, community investment, and economic development commitments, including managing nonprofit partner relationships.
Partner with the Energy and Sustainability team to explain environmental stewardship approaches and respond to questions about power, water, noise, transmission, and land use.
Build a community engagement playbook and repeatable processes that can scale with Anthropic’s infrastructure footprint.