Utility Engagement Program Manager

QTS Data Centers•Overland Park, KS

About The Position

The Utility Engagement Program Manager is responsible for executing early‑stage power engagement and coordinating with utilities across QTS’s North American footprint. This role ensures that utility capacity is evaluated, scoped, and secured to support data center development by performing power market research, conducting site power due diligence, preparing and advancing power applications, negotiating power‑related agreements in partnership with the Energy Team, and supporting strategic utility engagement activities. This position collaborates extensively with pre‑development, utility delivery, energy procurement, operations, sales, and development teams to align power availability with customer and project needs. This is an individual‑contributor role without people‑management responsibilities but requires operating at a high level of cross‑functional leadership and influence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, energy management, business, or equivalent professional experience.
Seven or more years of experience in utility, energy, or large‑load infrastructure projects.
Experience engaging directly with utilities and ISOs/RTOs, including familiarity with application processes and contract negotiations.
Ability to travel up to 40–50% as needed to support utility relationships and site diligence.
Demonstrated experience collaborating across multiple internal functions and working with senior‑level stakeholders.
U.S. Citizenship required due to federal contract considerations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to brief executives and prepare clear summaries.
Strong negotiating and relationship‑building skills with utility partners and internal teams.
Ability to influence cross-functional groups without direct authority.
Flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities in a high‑growth environment.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and deliver high‑quality work under tight timelines.

Nice To Haves

7 or more years of experience building and maintaining utility industry relationships.
Background in large‑scale transmission / distribution assessments, including feasibility studies and project scoping.
Familiarity with the utility study process, interconnection requirements, and service‑agreement structures.
Experience supporting negotiation or development of ESAs, PPAs, or LEAs.
Understanding of energy markets, renewable procurement, and large‑load transmission planning.
Experience supporting a large, multi‑site portfolio of development projects.

Responsibilities

Strategic Utility Engagement Lead direct engagement with power utilities across the North American portfolio to support new sites, expansions, and long‑range capacity planning.
Develop, plan and maintain utility engagement strategies, including call trees, contact plans, and relationship‑management workflows.
Power Due Diligence & Market Intelligence Conduct power market intelligence, including rate structures, interconnection processes, transmission constraints, and long‑lead infrastructure considerations.
Perform site‑level power due diligence for prospective campuses, including evaluating transmission access, anticipated timelines, study requirements, fees, and risks.
Contract and Agreement Execution Support the Energy Team in the pursuit, negotiation, and execution of power contracts, including ESAs, PPAs, LEAs, and utility‑specific service agreements.
Prepare and advance executive summaries, applications, and contracting packages to align with QTS Delegation of Authority and Legal requirements.
Track and report on power contract, study, and application status for all North American sites.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Coordinate with Pre‑Development, Utility Delivery, Energy, Development, Legal, and Sales to:
Align utility timelines with customer load ramps
Support cost forecasting and CIAC requirements
Ensure all documentation aligns to engineering, legal, and commercial needs
Provide technical and commercial input into site selection, master planning, and long‑term portfolio planning.
Capacity Planning & Portfolio Support Partner with internal teams to support power capacity management, including load ramps at new sites and transmission capacity considerations at existing sites.
Maintain up-to-date data in utility trackers, dashboards, and market intelligence resources.