Senior Manager, State Government Relations

QTS Data Centers•Ashburn, VA

About The Position

It's pretty exciting, to find yourself standing in a pivotal moment in time. It’s even more exciting to be out front leading it. At QTS, our world-class data centers are supporting our customers most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. As AI and cloud drive the demand for increased speed, capacity and capability, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader, committed to connecting the world for good. Driven by purpose and fueled by a spirit of innovation, QTS designs, builds and operates some of the world’s most advanced, forward-thinking data centers. QTS is a portfolio company of Blackstone. QTS is Powered by People. People who play a vital role in our company’s culture, innovation and growth. People who are committed to contributing to the communities where we operate and work. People who are knowledgeable, resourceful and mission driven. Together, we do great things. Who You Are: The Senior Manager, State Government Relations will lead the State Government relations team within the Government Relations & External Affairs team to understand business objectives and spot opportunities for value creation in the pipeline of future project sites where QTS operates or considers as a prospective location across the United States. This role will manage a regional team while also covering one four regions. The Impact You Will Have: This role will work with internal and external teams to formulate strategic plans to deliver positive outcomes (either lowering risk or increasing value) in critical path state level legislative and regulatory environments. You will be a key part of the Government Relations & External Affairs leadership team that is charged with developing comprehensive government relations, community engagement, and project enablement requirements aimed at advancing QTS’ interests and creating competitive differentiation. This role will work closely with internal teams focused on real estate acquisition, project pre-development, operations, legal, tax and marketing/communications. This role will identify existing organizational gaps to recognize risks at the state government level and identify future opportunities for growth and develop a team that delivers outcomes. Under your leadership, the State Government relations team will identify key stakeholders in key states and build meaningful relationships that help QTS align its goals with the goals of the communities where we invest and operate. Identifying “win-win” outcomes is a top KPI for the entire Government Relations & External Affairs team. You will work closely with the Economic Development, Federal Government Affairs, Community Engagement and Marketing & Communications teams to create integrated, aligned and coordinated external engagement outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or professional equivalent.
Six or more years of combined experience working in state or local government, corporate state government relations function, economic development institutions, contract lobbying firms or other advocacy organizations that focus on multi-state advocacy.
Experience managing third-party advocates, trade associations and coalitions.
Understanding of the policy dynamic around AI, data and energy infrastructure.
Demonstrated experience in state level legislative and regulatory environments.
Management experience of regional teams.
Demonstrated knowledge of data center site selection, development, and operation's needs.

Nice To Haves

Background in data center development, supply chain or energy viewed as positive.
Political and campaign experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Research, identify, and state legislation and regulatory developments impacting data center development across the United States.
Manage a team of State Government Relations professionals focused on particular regions that cover the QTS pipeline of operations or prospective data center sites. You will support the team in ensuring they understand business priorities and help them to prioritize key deliveries in their regions.
Participate in the drafting of external-facing documents; prepare presentation materials and talking points for internal and external meetings, as well as manage briefings for executives, partners, and external stakeholders.
Support efforts to select, manage and engage with state and local advocacy groups and coalitions.
Support selection, management, and engagement with outside advisors with expertise and relationships in particular jurisdictions.
Attend government and industry meetings to testify/comment on behalf of QTS and its interests.
Act as a partner to other external facing colleagues with lead responsibility for federal government affairs, media communications, community engagement, pre-development, suppliers, and customers.
Utilize internally formulated narratives to engage and educate key stakeholders in state government.
Build meaningful relationships with key stakeholders across QTS’ existing and prospective markets and engage with state and local policy makers to advocate for QTS’ priorities in economic development and critical path entitlements.
Support internal teams to identify, assess and diligence prospective new locations for QTS operations.
Lead the team in designing and implementing state government relations strategy and priorities.
Support the Economic Development team to identify, quantify, and negotiate market-specific economic incentives on behalf of QTS and its tenants.
Support due diligence and pre-development activities across the North American portfolio at the state government level.
Articulate market advantages and differentiations to internal decision makers.
Provide consultative support to sales throughout pre-funnel, deal-flow, lease negotiation, and onboarding processes.
Align property development, sales, and prospective tenant timelines to maximize benefit windows and scope capital investment/job creation commitments for contractual performance targets.
Coordinate teaming efforts and management of existing critical deadlines; align stakeholders to create visibility and accountability over current, unfulfilled program obligations.
Structure team workflows to pursue and proactively fulfil legislative, regulatory and incentive outcomes.