Director, Public Policy, State and Local, NA

Global Public Policy Department

The mission of Vantage Data Centers' 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, and building relationships with stakeholders, through a combination of creativity, resourcefulness, trust, problem-solving, and an outward mindset, 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 our company and our customers, and establishes us as a value-adding member of the community.

Global Public Policy is responsible for Vantage Data Centers' government relations, economic development, and community engagement. The team partners with our New Site Development, Construction, Engineering, Legal, Tax, People, 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 our company generates for our customers, investors, employees, and communities.

Position Overview

This role can be based in Denver, CO, Dallas, TX, Madison, WI, and Ashburn, VA

The Director, Public Policy - State and Local, North America, will lead the state and local public policy team across the United States. This individual will be responsible for driving and overseeing public policy strategy and its implementation in state and local governments, including public positioning on key issues, relationship mapping, and political programming, to support the removal of data center capacity constraints and long-term business growth through public policy changes and government decisions. Reporting to the Senior Director, Public Policy, North America, the Director will manage a team of regionally focused Senior Managers, oversee a network of state lobbying and public affairs firms, support a political contributions program, and serve as the company's senior-most representative to state and local policymakers.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in managing public policy programs at the state and local levels, including for a private company. They need to be an experienced people manager, a strategic thinker, a results-oriented problem solver, and a professional with good judgment with the ability to navigate complex policy environments across diverse geographies.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead the company's state and local public policy program, overseeing strategy, execution, and engagement across all U.S. markets

• Manage and mentor regionally focused Senior Managers responsible for state and local policy execution

• Oversee a network of contract lobbyists and public affairs firms to support active policy engagement in target states and municipalities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with governors' offices, state legislators, local elected officials, state agencies, and local permitting authorities

• Track and analyze legislation, regulation, and local policy trends that could affect the company's operations, investment, or growth

• Shape and advance the company's positions on key issues, including energy, tax policy, permitting, and infrastructure development

• Collaborate with internal teams to align public policy strategies with business objectives

• Contribute to the development and oversight of state-level political engagement strategies, including integration with company political giving and PAC activities

• Other tasks assigned by management.

Duties

• Set and communicate clear objectives for the state and local public policy team, ensuring consistent, high-impact engagement across markets

• Review and support the development of workplans, strategy documents, and advocacy materials developed by internal staff and consultants

• Draft or oversee development of formal communications to public officials, including testimony, comment letters, and policy briefs

• Recommend and manage the company's involvement in coalitions, trade associations, and issue-specific alliances

• Identify and mitigate policy and permitting risks in new and existing markets

• Represent the company at key public meetings, stakeholder engagements, and national policy forums

• Provide strategic counsel and regular policy updates to senior executives and internal stakeholders

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (e.g., J.D., MPP, MBA) a plus

• At least ten years of experience in public policy, government affairs, or a related role, with significant experience managing multi-state programs

• Demonstrated success overseeing state and local government relations for a private company, preferably in a capital-intensive, regulated industry

• Proven experience managing a team of professionals and contract lobbyists across multiple jurisdictions, with demonstrated ability to develop talent, set priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing policy materials for internal and external audiences

• Experience managing or contributing to the management of state-level political giving or PAC activities is a plus

• Willingness to travel up to 50% to key markets and company sites across the U.S.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $190,000 - $200,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

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