Public Affairs and Policy Director

Yondr Group

About The Position

The Public Affairs and Policy Director will support Yondr’s growth strategy by shaping and leading public affairs, policy engagement, stakeholder engagement, and external affairs across existing and future data center markets. The role serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders, aligning development and operations initiatives with local and regional priorities while building relationships with government, regulators, local authorities, economic development organizations, community leaders, utilities, and other stakeholders. Working with Development, Construction, Operations, Sustainability, Legal, and Executive Leadership teams, the Director will develop and coordinate engagement strategies that anticipate policy developments and support land acquisition, entitlement, permitting, power, infrastructure expansion, and campus growth. The role will identify strategic partnership opportunities, communicate Yondr’s commitment to local communities, and explain the long-term economic and social benefits of its data center investments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, Communications, Business, Urban Planning, Economic Development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 10 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, policy, stakeholder engagement, or strategic partnership roles.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with public policy, regulatory, and cross-functional business teams to support large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
Demonstrable experience supporting complex development projects in data centers, energy, utilities, telecommunications, industrial, transportation, or other critical infrastructure sectors.
Strong understanding of local government processes, land use, zoning, permitting, and community engagement.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 35% to support project sites, stakeholder meetings, and regional initiatives.
Experience working in Public Affairs within Virginia.
Ability to identify opportunities and areas for improvement and operate independently in a fast-moving environment.
Excellent communication skills and ability to speak publicly on behalf of the company.
Strong stakeholder management, relationship-building, and influencing skills.

Nice To Haves

Data center experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute public affairs, policy, stakeholder engagement, and community relations strategies to support responsible data center development and expansion.
Build and maintain relationships with local, state, and regional government departments, economic development agencies, utility providers, business organizations, and community stakeholders.
Partner with Development and Delivery teams to support land acquisition, entitlement, zoning, permitting, power, and infrastructure projects.
Advise project and business leadership on external risks, opportunities, and stakeholder considerations.
Lead policy engagement with policymakers on issues affecting data center investment, including planning and development, energy and grid infrastructure, environmental policy, and investment policy.
Lead the planning and execution of community engagement.
Support preparation of evidence and advocacy materials and develop messaging and strategic communications that articulate Yondr’s mission, investment strategy, sustainability commitments, and long-term economic impact.
Identify partnership opportunities with educational institutions, workforce development organizations, nonprofit groups, and local business communities.
Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments that could affect Yondr’s data center operations, power infrastructure, or development activities, and translate them into business recommendations.
Coordinate with internal communications, marketing, sustainability, and executive leadership teams to ensure consistent stakeholder messaging.
Support crisis communications and issue management when required.
Manage external policy and public affairs advisers and consultants when required.
Ensure public affairs activity complies with applicable laws, regulations, and requirements, including those relating to transparency, lobbying, ethics, and corporate governance.