Vice President, Regional External Affairs (West)
About The Position
QTS is a global digital infrastructure company that designs, builds, and operates data centers supporting AI, cloud, and digital transformation initiatives. The Vice President, Regional External Affairs develops and executes external affairs strategy across an assigned multi-state region, overseeing government relations, public policy, legislative advocacy, economic development, permitting and zoning, community engagement, stakeholder relations, and public affairs activities that support QTS's growth, operations, and reputation. Reporting directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer, this position is a member of the External Affairs leadership team and leads a regional organization of approximately 10–12 team members. The Vice President partners with Communications, Marketing, Legal, Development, Energy Strategy, Operations, and executive leaders to advance business priorities, support market expansion, and drive advocacy initiatives. The role builds trusted relationships with public officials, policymakers, economic development partners, community leaders, industry stakeholders, and internal partners. Success requires strategic planning, disciplined execution, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, Political Science, Business, Communications, Law, Economics, Urban Planning, or a related field.
- 12 or more years of leadership experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, lobbying, economic development, public affairs, or external affairs, including responsibility for a multi-state region.
- Demonstrated success leading complex stakeholder engagement, advocacy campaigns, and public policy initiatives.
- Experience leading teams, managing budgets, and driving results across executive-level, cross-functional organizations.
- Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, economic development, and community engagement processes.
- Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, utility, telecommunications, or industrial development projects.
- Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Industrial Labor Relations, or a related field.
- Experience in the data center, technology, infrastructure, energy, utility, telecommunications, or real estate sectors.
- Prior experience in government, legislative affairs, public affairs consulting, lobbying, political campaigns, or economic development.
- Established relationships with state, local, and regional policymakers and industry stakeholders.
- Experience advising senior executives on complex public policy, reputational, or stakeholder matters.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a regional external affairs strategy aligned with QTS's growth, development, operational, and public policy objectives.
- Lead and coordinate state and local advocacy campaigns to advance business priorities and support market expansion.
- Lead, develop, and set priorities and performance expectations for a high-performing regional team; promote accountability and professional development.
- Partner with cross-functional leaders to align external affairs strategies with corporate objectives and operational priorities.
- Manage regional operating plans, budgets, consultants, and external resources supporting legislative, regulatory, business development, community engagement, and growth priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
- Anticipate political, policy, regulatory, and community issues and develop strategies to mitigate risks and create opportunities.
- Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy, organizational development, and long-term planning as a member of the External Affairs leadership team.
- Represent QTS externally as a senior leader and advocate for the company's mission, values, and growth objectives.
- Lead government affairs, legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, and public policy efforts across the region.
- Lead stakeholder engagement to build trust, support development, and enhance QTS's reputation; represent QTS with community leaders, business organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders.
- Partner with Development, Site Selection, Energy Strategy, and Operations to support market expansion, site development, infrastructure investments, and growth initiatives.
- Advise senior leadership on political, regulatory, economic, and community dynamics affecting the business.
- Support high-profile development, policy, permitting, and reputational matters through proactive planning and stakeholder strategy.
- Drive accountability, operational excellence, resource stewardship, and measurable business outcomes across the regional organization.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- 401(k) matching contributions for Roth and Traditional 401(k), with immediate vesting.
- Bonus or commission eligibility for every employee.
- Generous paid time off, paid volunteer days, and floating holidays.
- Stock Purchase Plan (SPP).
- 11 paid holidays annually and holiday compensation when worked.
- Pet insurance and legal insurance.
- Q-Rest Sabbatical Program.
- Q-Anniversary Service Award Program.
- Parental leave.
- Military Benefits Package.
- QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program.
- QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents.
- QTS Crisis Fund.
- Wellness Program.
- Tuition Reimbursement Program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
