Senior Manager, Public Policy - East, NA

Vantage Data Centers•Remote - VA, VA

15d•$160,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The mission of Vantage’s Global Public Policy team is to help deliver the best possible digital infrastructure for the world’s leading technology companies. By advocating for positions, advising on issues, building relationships with customers, through a combination of creativity, resourcefulness, trust, problem-solving, and an outward approach, we aim to create a more favorable and resilient public policy environment for our company. Our work ensures success across the asset lifecycle, mitigates risks and fosters sustainable, long-term growth for Vantage and our customers, and establishes Vantage as a value-adding member of the community. Global Public Policy is responsible for Vantage’s government relations, economic development, and community engagement. The team partners with our New Site Development, Construction, Engineering, Legal, Tax, Operations, and other departments to grow market share, acquire and retain customers, navigate through regulatory and policy developments, mitigate risk, and expand into new geographies. We are a dedicated team of problem solvers who strive for excellence and drive value-creation in our work. We practice empathy, humility, curiosity, and accountability, and we strive to support and empower each other to promote the value that Vantage generates for our customers, investors, employees, and communities. This role is based in Ashburn, VA or remotely on the East Coast. The Senior Manager, Public Policy - East, North America will be primarily responsible for implementing and reporting on the company’s state, provincial, and local public affairs program in eastern North America, including key markets like Virginia and Quebec and new markets as they are announced. The Senior Manager will partner with various internal team members to determine Vantage’s policy priorities, build relationships with key customers, and engage at the state and local level to advocate for Vantage’s position on a variety of issues, including energy, sustainability, tax, and land use. This role will be an integral part of driving forward end-to-end market success as Vantage grows in the region. This includes supporting initial market intelligence and land selection through to the development of sites and the operation of our data centers. This role will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining regulatory and legislative environments that support Vantage’s economic development, energy, community engagement, and sustainability strategies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
5-7 years of hands-on experience in government relations, economic development, or community engagement in Eastern North America.
Experience learning business needs and representing those interests before government officials.
Proven creative and critical thinking, and the ability to understand complex issues and identify clear and effective action plans to resolve them is desired.
Experience working on policies related to energy, artificial intelligence, taxes, sustainability, infrastructure development
Strong written and verbal communication to internal and external audiences including senior government officials and company executives.
A teammate that is comfortable working in a matrixed organization to drive forward business value creation is strongly preferred.
Experience handling contract lobbyists and working as an internal lobbyist for a private company is strongly preferred.
Advanced political savvy and the ability to connect with customers from all backgrounds.
Must be comfortable balancing multiple priorities with shifting timelines and objectives.
Travel required is expected to be up to 20% but may increase over time as the business evolves

Responsibilities

Support the execution of a strategic public policy engagement plan to drive forward business objectives at the state, provincial, and local levels in eastern North America.
Research, identify and track current and emerging policy issues across geographies, engage internal team members to determine company’s position, priorities and risks.
Develop strategy to navigate and impact policy objectives; engage with state, provincial, and local governments to advance the company’s public policy interests.
Collaborate with Vantage’s New Site Development, Engineering, Legal, Tax, Construction, and Operations Finance, teams on key issues and workstreams, establishing a cadence of regular briefings.
Engage in pre-development processes, researching policy drivers in new markets, understanding and pursuing local tax incentives and funding programs for data center development, and with permit and zoning as necessary.
Manage contract lobbyists, association memberships, and coalition partnerships.
Draft positioning statements/documents; prepare decks and talking points for meetings, as well as briefings for executives and key internal team members.
Attend local meetings to testify/comment on Vantage’s behalf.
Participate in various chambers, associations and coalitions as a proponent of the data center industry.
Partner with marketing to develop messaging, positioning, collateral and public relations materials.
Promote Vantage’s commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusivity; engage in the community supporting Vantage’s role as a good corporate citizen.
Additional duties as assigned by Management