GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SOUTH CENTRAL REGULATORY LEAD

Intersect; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Health coverage

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Mental health support

Stipends

Job summary

Intersect is seeking a Government Affairs Regulatory Lead for the South Central region, focusing on ERCOT development and cross-state coordination. You will collaborate with Development, Engineering, and Community Engagement to align regulatory strategy with corporate objectives.

The role emphasizes building relationships with state agencies, trade associations, and NGOs, with in-person engagement across assigned states and a flexible, remote-first work style.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of utility or private-sector experience with electric power system planning for large loads (preferred).
• Familiarity with ERCOT market design and interconnection processes (preferred).
• Experience advocating for practical, data-driven policy solutions.

Responsibilities

• Attend and represent the company at public utility commission meetings and with grid operators.
• Build relationships with policymakers and staff across Texas (Oklahoma/New Mexico expansion prefix).
• Identify and advance strategic policy priorities enabling rapid energy infrastructure buildout.

Skills

Utility experience

ERCOT familiarity

Policy advocacy

Coalition building

Stakeholder management

Regulatory analysis

Strategic thinking

Communication

Remote collaboration

Job description

We’re a team of friends bound together by a mission to preserve our planet for future generations through innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure. Intersect develops, constructs, and operates the most ambitious power and data center infrastructure in the country by co-locating industrial demand with dedicated gas and renewable power generation.

Intersect was acquired by Google in March 2026 and operates as an independent subsidiary. We are developing and constructing multiple gigawatts of energy and data center projects in the U.S., enabling more data center and generation capacity to come online faster. We’re on an aggressive growth trajectory and looking for people hungry to tackle the largest energy challenges on the planet.

Location & Team Gatherings

Intersect has been a fully flexible workplace since its founding in 2016. We’ve been very intentional about the way we do things. We are not work-from-home, hybrid, or in-office - we are any and all of those options! Deepening social connections and offering shared experiences is a cornerstone of the way we work. We connect as a team at our Team Week experiences four times a year and at our recently established Hub locations - SF Bay Area, NYC Metro Area, NY; Denver, CO; Austin, TX; Calgary, AB; and Toronto, ON.

We are currently looking for candidates located within 60 miles of any of the listed hubs to foster more in-person connections while maintaining our flexible remote culture.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SOUTH CENTRAL REGULATORY LEAD

About this role

The Government Affairs Regulatory Lead for the South Central region is the regional large load expert within the Government Affairs team and will support our active development within ERCOT, and future development within SPP. This position is responsible for the coordination of the politics of regulatory issues with relevant teams including Development, Engineering, and the Head of Texas Government Affairs. This role will collaborate with these other teams to address regulatory activity affecting the company’s business interests—including engagement with relevant state agencies such as utility commissions, grid operators and other state agencies as needed.

The role includes external representation with trade associations, digital infrastructure organizations, and NGOs. The individual will strategize and lead campaigns to achieve Intersect’s regulatory goals, ensure alignment of company priorities with political and market realities, and support the company’s growing digital infrastructure strategy. The position reports to the Head of State Government Affairs and works closely with regional Development, Engineering, and Community Engagement teams. The role is based in-region (Austin, Texas preferred) with required in-person engagement across assigned states.

Team overview

This team plays a critical role in advancing Intersect’s mission to accelerate the renewable energy transition by shaping policy environments that enable large-scale energy infrastructure development. Government Affairs partners closely with Development, Permitting, Community Engagement, and executive leadership to align public policy strategy with commercial objectives. By building strong relationships with policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders, the team ensures Intersect can responsibly scale its impact while navigating complex legislative and regulatory landscapes.

What you'll do

• Attend and represent the company at public utility commission meetings, with grid operators and other relevant agencies at the state level.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with important policymakers, executive officials, and staff (Texas agencies, with future expansion to Oklahoma and New Mexico are the priority for this responsibility).

• Identify and advance strategic policy priorities enabling rapid buildout of energy infrastructure.

• Advocate the company’s positions and build consensus across regulatory staff, grid operators, and industry partners.

• Lead campaigns and deploy resources to accomplish Government Affairs objectives at the state level.

• Serve as an internal expert on government and regulatory dynamics in assigned states and translate emerging risks into recommended actions.

• Engage actively in assigned regional and national associations related to energy development.

• Build coalitions of aligned corporate, community, and third‑party interests to advance priority outcomes.

• Understand critical milestones for development, permitting, and community engagement teams and provide support where a government affairs nexus exists.

• Plan, budget, and manage outside consultants, lobbyists, technical advisors, and legal counsel.

• Coordinate reporting on policy issues, regulatory news, and advocacy efforts with other regulatory roles within the company.

• Potentially manage regional Government Affairs staff as the team expands.

• Other responsibilities as required to support company objectives.

What you'll bring

• At least 5+ years of utility or private-sector experience with electric power system planning for large loads, including interconnection, transmission constraints, and new generation or storage strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with ERCOT market design and interconnection processes strongly preferred.

• Working knowledge of environmental resource issues associated with large energy‑intensive facilities (e.g., energy and water usage, emissions, renewable energy procurement) and ability to advocate for practical, data‑driven policy solutions.

• Excellent problem solving and strategic thinking skills.

• Highly driven, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.

• Ability to summarize complex issues and drive them into actionable strategies.

• Demonstrated success in coalition-building and stakeholder alignment.

• Strong political judgment and commercial sensibility.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote-first environment.

• Ability to maintain discretion and sound judgment.

Total Rewards

Total Compensation: $200,000 - $225,000 (total compensation includes base salary + bonus)

Equity: Beyond your salary, you’ll receive an Equity Grant, giving you a meaningful stake in our parent company.

Health & wellness: 100% premium coverage for you and your dependents on medical, dental, and vision

Time to recharge: Unlimited PTO, plus two company-wide breaks (Fourth of July & end of year)

Family support: Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, plus 6 additional weeks for birth parents; access to family planning and family care support through Carrot and Maven

Mental health: Free access to Spring Health, including 5 free therapy and psychiatry sessions, plus a Headspace account for mindfulness and meditation through our physical health vendor, Wellhub+

Perks & extras: $150 monthly food stipend, $150 monthly reimbursement for cell phone and internet, pet insurance allowance, full home office setup, free access to UrbanSitter with $625 in quarterly company-paid credits, ActiveHero, and One Medical

Intersect maintains a work environment free from discrimination, one where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling Intersect's commitment to equal employment opportunity. Intersect does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by and consistent with applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline.