"Alerted.org

Learn what makes QTS a unique place to grow your career! (https://vimeo.com/727409140/ff26de87d4)

Who We Are:

It's 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.

Whole You Are:

You strive to maximize your organizations competitive advantages, mitigate operational risks, and leverage strategic relationships for continuous business growth through strategic approaches to state level government relations and local engagement on economic development.

The Impact You Will Have:

As **Director,** **State Government Relations & Economic Development** **,** you will lead work with internal teams to understand business objectives in the state and local jurisdictions where QTS operates or is considering as a prospective location. You will work with internal and external teams to formulate strategic plans to deliver positive outcomes (either lowering risk or increasing value) in state government relations and economic development partnerships with local institutions and communities. You will use your experience in state and local policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and economic development to formulate a strategy. These responsibilities will encompass a comprehensive government relations, communications, and economic incentive practice aimed at advancing QTS’ interests and creating competitive differentiation. This role will identify existing organizational gaps to recognize current liabilities, cultivate future opportunities for growth, and develop a team that will position QTS as the industry’s premiere thought leader in engagement with state and local governments and economic development institutions. You will have demonstrated capabilities in working closely with partners from the manufacturing supply chain, energy suppliers and communities. You will report to the **Executive Vice Presiden** **t, Government Relations & External Affairs** , based in our Ashburn, VA headquarters.

What You Will Do:

Policy & Advocacy

+ Research, identify, and track state and local policy development impacting the data center industry and energy production.

+ Manage a team of regional leads in state government relations and economic development, supporting their understanding of business priorities and helping them to prioritize issues in their region.

+ Participate in the drafting of position statements and 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.

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Communications

+ Utilize internally formulated narrative to engage and educate key stakeholders at state and local level.

+ 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 on issues of importance, including tax, energy, land use, and permitting.

+ Support internal teams to identify, assess and diligence prospective new locations for QTS operations.

Economic Development

+ Lead the team in designing and implementing economic development pre-positioning strategy.

+ 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.

+ 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 fulfill incentive program obligations.

What You Need to be Successful:

+ Bachelor's degree or masters degree

+ Six or more years of combined experience working in state or local government, economic development institution, trade association or corporate government relations team.

+ Experience managing third-party advocates, trade associations and coalitions

+ Understanding of the policy dynamic around AI, data and energy infrastructure

+ Demonstrated experience in state government relations and/or economic development

+ Demonstrated knowledge of data center siting, development, and operation's needs.

+ Background in data center development, supply chain or energy viewed as positive

+ Political and campaign experience helpful but not required.

The Skills You Need:

+ Substantial knowledge of Local and State legislative processes

+ Ability to analyze legislative policy proposals.

+ Ability to foster relationships and negotiate favorable outcomes.

+ Ability to grow and manage internal and external teams.

+ Ability to relate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

+ Ability to relay complex issues to executives with little to know knowledge of processes or participants.

+ Ability to build, facilitate and participate in collaboration between diverse groups.

+ Ability to integrate data effectively and work diplomatically with a broad range of individuals, including senior management, consultants and government officials.

+ Self-starter who takes initiative and follows through on tasks to completion.

The Perks (and these are just a few!):

+ QRest Sabbatical

+ Employee Stock Purchase

+ QTS scholarship for dependents

+ Eagle Club award trip eligibility

+ Paid volunteer days

+ Tuition assistance, parental leave and military leave assistance

TOTAL REWARDS

+ This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits.

+ This position is Bonus eligible.

+ This job may be eligible for equity.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

Know Your Rights (English) (http://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\_EEOC\_KnowYourRights\_10\_20.pdf)

Know Your Rights (Spanish)

The pay transparency policy is available here:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp\_%20English\_formattedESQA508c.pdf)

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

It’s exhilarating to find yourself at a pivotal moment in history— and even more so to be leading the way. At QTS Data Centers, we are proud to stand at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. Our world-class data centers empower our customers’ most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us as a global leader in digital infrastructure.

As AI and cloud technologies fuel the demand for increased speed, capacity, and innovation, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader. We are committed to connecting the globe for good. Driven by purpose and a spirit of innovation, we design, build, and operate some of the most advanced data centers worldwide. In addition to our cutting-edge technology, we are dedicated to sustainability, incorporating renewable energy solutions to minimize our environmental footprint and drive meaningful impact. As a proud portfolio company of Blackstone, QTS is uniquely positioned to achieve ambitious growth and innovation goals.

At QTS, we are _Powered by People_ . Our team members are the cornerstone of our culture, innovation, and growth. They are mission-driven, resourceful, and committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. Together, we’re achieving remarkable things and shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

And we’d like to invite you to join us.

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

+ Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting

+ Every employee is bonus or commission eligible

+ Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays

+ Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)

+ 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked

+ Pet and Legal Insurance

+ Q-Rest Sabbatical Program

+ Q-Anniversary Service Award Program

+ Parental Leave for primary and secondary caregivers

+ Military Benefits Package

+ QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program

+ QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents

+ QTS Crisis Fund

+ Wellness Program

+ Tuition Reimbursement Program