Executive Vice President, External Affairs

LE043 Quality Technology Services, LLC; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 218,000 - 328,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Bonus eligibility

PTO & holidays

Stock Purchase Plan

Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

QTS Realty Trust is seeking an Executive Vice President, External Affairs to lead strategy for the Mega Site Build platform across regions, shaping policy, regulatory, and reputational positioning. You will oversee government relations, economic development, community engagement and campaign management.

Reporting to the Chief External Affairs Officer, you will build a high‑performing external affairs organization, partner with cross‑functional leaders, and guide enterprise‑wide advocacy efforts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Communications, Law, Economics, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 20+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government affairs or external affairs.
• Experience leading multi-region campaigns, budgets, and executive teams.
• Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, economic development processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute external affairs strategy across regions for Mega Site Build.
• Lead integrated advocacy campaigns at state, regional, and local levels to influence policy outcomes.
• Provide oversight of campaign management and set standards for planning, messaging, and resources.
• Direct and scale a high-performing external affairs organization across regions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior executives on political, regulatory, and reputational dynamics.
• Build influential relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders in multiple regions.
• Anticipate issues and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risk and create opportunities.
• Shape enterprise-wide strategy as a member of the executive leadership team.
• Represent the platform externally as senior executive voice across regions.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Communications, Law, Economics, Urban Planning, or related field

Job description

Who we are

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

Role Overview

The Executive Vice President, External Affairs is responsible for developing and executing external affairs strategy for the Mega Site Build platform across all regions, shaping the enterprise-level policy, regulatory, and reputational positioning that protects and advances the company’s portfolio of projects. This executive oversees government relations, legislative advocacy, economic development, community engagement and provides oversight of campaign management across all regions, enabling the Mega Site Build platform's growth, development, operations, and long-term reputation. The role will also support the Texas Region.

Reporting directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Executive Vice President serves as a member of the executive leadership team and leads the external affairs organization for the Mega Site Build platform, including senior leaders, regional campaign teams, project-based teams, and external advisors.

The role partners closely with the Executive Team and leaders across Communications, Marketing, Legal, Development, Energy Strategy, and Operations to advance enterprise priorities, support market expansion, and drive strategic advocacy initiatives across the platform and all regional markets.

This leader will build and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, policymakers, regulatory agencies, economic development partners, community leaders, industry stakeholders, and internal business partners in every region where the platform operates, while also supporting the Texas Region.

Success in the role requires executive presence, political acumen, sound judgment, enterprise-level strategic vision, and a campaign-oriented mindset that combines strategic planning, disciplined execution, campaign team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building to advance the Mega Site Build platform business objectives and strengthen its position as a trusted community and industry partner.

What You Will Do

• Develop and lead a comprehensive external affairs strategy for the Texas Region and Mega Site Build platform across all regions, aligned with enterprise growth, development, operational, reputational, and public policy objectives, with executive accountability for outcomes.
• Lead integrated advocacy campaigns at the state, regional, and local levels to influence policy outcomes, mitigate enterprise risk, and secure the policy environment and approvals needed to support Mega Site Build platform market expansion and project delivery.
• Provide oversight of campaign management across all regions, leading campaign team leaders and managers and setting standards for campaign planning, messaging, resourcing, coordination, and performance measurement to ensure regional campaigns are aligned with enterprise platform priorities.
• Direct, develop, and scale a high-performing external affairs organization of senior leaders and teams across all regions, establishing clear priorities, accountability measures, performance expectations, succession plans, and professional development opportunities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Chief External Affairs Officer, and senior executives on political, regulatory, community, and reputational dynamics that may impact enterprise strategy, capital deployment, project delivery, and operational certainty.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with elected officials, legislative leadership, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, business leaders, and community stakeholders in the Texas region as well as in each region where the platform operates.
• Anticipate emerging political, policy, regulatory, and community issues and develop proactive, enterprise-level strategies to mitigate risk and create opportunity.
• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, shaping enterprise-wide strategy, organizational development, and long-term planning.
• Represent the platform externally as the senior executive voice across all regions and a trusted advocate in support of the company's mission, values, and growth objectives.

Areas of Responsibility

Government Affairs & Public Policy Lead government affairs, legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, and public policy efforts across all regions. Develop strategies that advance Mega Site Build platform growth objectives and strengthen relationships with policymakers, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, and industry stakeholders.

Community Engagement & Reputation Lead stakeholder engagement strategies that build trust, support development objectives, and enhance the platform’s reputation. Serve as the platform’s senior executive representative with community leaders, business organizations, educational institutions, and other key stakeholders in each region.

Economic Development & Market Expansion Partner with Development, Site Selection, Energy Strategy, and Operations teams to support market expansion, site development, infrastructure investments, and growth initiatives across all Mega Site Build platform regions. Identify opportunities and mitigate risks that could impact enterprise business objectives.

Campaign Management Provide executive oversight of campaign management across all regions, including the campaign teams responsible for planning and executing advocacy, stakeholder, and community campaigns. Establish consistent campaign frameworks, priorities, resourcing, and performance measures, and coordinate regional campaign activity to ensure alignment with enterprise platform objectives.

Executive Counsel & Strategic Leadership Provide strategic counsel to the Chief External Affairs Officer, and senior leadership on political, regulatory, economic, and community dynamics affecting the business. Guide high-profile development, policy, permitting, and reputational matters through proactive planning and stakeholder strategy.

Organizational Leadership Lead and develop a high-performing external affairs organization across all regions, including senior leaders, campaign team leaders, and their teams. Drive accountability, operational excellence, resource stewardship, succession planning, and measurable business outcomes.

Other duties as assigned.

What You Will Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Communications, Law, Economics, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 20+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, lobbying, economic development, public affairs, community affairs, or external affairs, including executive-level responsibility for a large multi-state, multi-region, or complex jurisdictional portfolio.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing complex stakeholder engagement strategies, advocacy campaigns, and public policy initiatives that influence outcomes and advance business objectives.
• Experience leading senior leaders and large teams, including campaign management teams across multiple regions, owning significant budgets, overseeing external consultants or advisors, and driving measurable 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 across all regions.

Nice to Have

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, Industrial Labor Relations, or related field.
• Experience in the data center, technology, digital infrastructure, energy, utility, telecommunications, real estate development, or large-scale infrastructure 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.

Compensation

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is: $217,615.50 - 327,871.20

Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

Benefits

• 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
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

Equal Opportunity

QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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) Know Your Rights (Spanish)

Pay Transparency

The pay transparency policy is available here: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

Reasonable Accommodation

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.