Data Center Local Policy Lead

Meta; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta seeks an experienced Local Public Policy Manager in Austin, TX to lead a team of regional local policy managers and drive Meta’s data center priorities across cities, counties, and regional bodies. You will engage with local policymakers, coordinate with the Infrastructure and Data Center teams, and advance investment and permitting in communities where Meta operates.

The role requires 12+ years in public policy, strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to travel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, business/strategy, economics, legal, communications, public relations, or a related field
• 12+ years of experience in local or state public policy, advocacy, or government affairs
• Experience directly managing and developing teams, including people managers or senior individual contributors
• Experience with the political process, policymakers, and stakeholders at the local and/or state level
• Knowledge of technology, infrastructure, data center, and economic development policy and the advocacy landscape
• Experience working cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience creating and implementing advocacy campaigns directly relevant to local and/or state government
• Creative problem-solving, negotiation, and multi-tasking skills in time-sensitive settings
• Experience communicating nuanced concepts to a wide array of audiences

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of regional local policy managers, setting strategy and priorities for local government engagement across Meta's existing and future data center sites nationwide, while maintaining a direct portfolio of priority localities.
• Build and execute a national local government affairs strategy that advances Meta's data center site objectives across cities, counties, municipalities, and regional bodies—supporting both operational sites and new site development and expansion.
• Work directly with local policymakers and officials to advance data center infrastructure investment, permitting, and economic development in the communities where Meta builds and operates its data centers.
• Monitor the political environment and identify opportunities to advance local policies that benefit the company, local jurisdictions, and the communities where we reside.
• Partner with Meta's Infrastructure and Data Center teams to align local policy engagement with site selection, development timelines, and community commitments for new and expanding data center projects.
• Work closely with industry groups, nonprofits, municipal associations, and legislative organizations to promote company objectives for our data center policy priorities.
• Ensure that Meta cross-functional partners and internal stakeholders receive timely updates on local policy developments.
• Partner with Meta’s Community Engagement team to develop strategies for engagement with chambers of commerce, industry associations, non-profits, and civil society groups to advance priorities at the local level.
• Represent Meta before local government bodies and coordinate advocacy campaigns in partnership with regional teams.
• Manage relationships with local policymakers, contract lobbyists, and trade associations.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% of the time based on need.

Skills

Team leadership

Public policy

Policy advocacy

Tech policy

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Negotiation

Data center policy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Meta seeks an experienced Local Public Policy Manager in Austin, TX to lead a team of regional local policy managers and drive Meta’s data center priorities across cities, counties, and regional bodies. You will engage with local policymakers, coordinate with the Infrastructure and Data Center teams, and advance investment and permitting in communities where Meta operates.

The role requires 12+ years in public policy, strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to travel