Vice President, Regional External Affairs (Mid West)

QTS Data Centers•Cedar Rapids, IN

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 the company's 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 to support QTS's growth, operations, and reputation. Reporting directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Vice President is a member of the External Affairs leadership team and leads a regional organization of approximately 10–12 team members. The role works closely with Communications, Marketing, Legal, Development, Energy Strategy, Operations, and executive leaders. It requires building trusted relationships with policymakers, elected officials, economic development partners, community leaders, industry stakeholders, and internal partners, and applying strategic planning, disciplined execution, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building to advance business objectives.

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 and develop the regional team, establishing priorities, accountability, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities.
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 proactive strategies to mitigate risk and create opportunity.
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 strategies that build trust, support development objectives, and enhance QTS's reputation.
Partner with Development, Site Selection, Energy Strategy, and Operations teams on 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.