Government & Community Affairs Lead

Comms Search & Selection; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 215,000 - 261,000; Full time

Job summary

Comms Search & Selection is sourcing a Government & Community Affairs Lead for a fast-growing AI infrastructure client operating across North America. The role is highly autonomous, requiring you to build credible relationships with elected officials, regulators, utilities and communities to secure ongoing project support.

You will work with the Head of Public Affairs to navigate complex regulatory environments, identifying risks early and aligning engagement activities with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Proven track record influencing officials, regulators or economic development groups.
• Experience securing support for major infrastructure projects.
• Strong communication and persuasion skills.
• Ability to operate independently in ambiguous regulatory environments.
• Willingness to travel; minimal travel expected.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with elected officials, local government leaders, economic development organizations, utility providers and community stakeholders.
• Represent the company at public meetings, stakeholder forums, economic development events and industry gatherings.
• Identify potential political, regulatory and stakeholder risks early and mitigate them.
• Support development teams by assessing local stakeholder landscapes and creating engagement strategies for long-term project support.
• Collaborate with internal public affairs, legal, development and executive teams to align engagement with broader business objectives.
• Monitor local and regional policy developments that could affect site selection, energy procurement, infrastructure development or community sentiment.
• Help shape the company's reputation across key growth markets through consistent stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy communication

Relationship building

Independent work

Public affairs

Job description

As one of the world's fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies, our client is developing critical power and data center assets across North America. Success is not simply about securing land, power and capital. It requires the ability to build credibility with elected officials, regulators, economic development organizations, utility providers and local communities long before the first shovel hits the ground.

They are looking for a Government & Community Affairs Lead to help secure stakeholder support for major infrastructure developments across the United States. Working alongside the Head of Public Affairs, you will operate at the intersection of government, community and business interests, helping the company navigate complex stakeholder environments and accelerate project delivery.

What You Will Do

This is a highly autonomous role for a persuasive stakeholder operator who is comfortable working independently across multiple jurisdictions.

You will:

• Build trusted relationships with elected officials, local government leaders, economic development organizations, utility providers and community stakeholders.
• Represent the company at public meetings, stakeholder forums, economic development events and industry gatherings.
• Identify potential political, regulatory and stakeholder risks early and work proactively to mitigate them.
• Support development teams by assessing local stakeholder landscapes and helping create engagement strategies that secure long-term project support.
• Collaborate with internal public affairs, legal, development and executive teams to align engagement activities with broader business objectives.
• Monitor local and regional policy developments that could affect site selection, energy procurement, infrastructure development or community sentiment.
• Help shape the company's reputation across key growth markets through consistent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building.

Who You Are

We're looking for an exceptional stakeholder influencer rather than a traditional community engagement professional.

You may currently work in government affairs, public affairs, public policy, economic development, external affairs, utilities, infrastructure, transportation, energy or a related field. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, shape outcomes and earn support from stakeholders operating in complex political and regulatory environments.

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• A track record of influencing elected officials, policymakers, regulators, economic development organizations or other senior stakeholders.
• Experience helping secure support for major initiatives, infrastructure projects, policy priorities or business objectives.
• Strong communication, persuasion and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to operate independently, navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions without constant direction.
• Excellent judgement and the confidence to represent an organization in high-profile external settings.
• Intellectual curiosity, commercial awareness and a strong work ethic.
• Experience within government affairs, public affairs, public policy, economic development, utilities, energy, transportation, infrastructure or related sectors would be advantageous but is not essential.

Direct AI, technology or data center experience is not required. The ability to quickly understand complex issues and build stakeholder support around them is far more important.

The Compensation Package

• Base salary of $215,000 - $261,000
• Meaningful equity participation with the opportunity to share directly in the company's long-term growth
• Retirement savings programme
• Generous paid time off and company benefits package
• The opportunity to join one of the world's fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies at a pivotal stage of growth

Summary

• Client: High-growth AI Infrastructure & Data Center Developer
• Role: Community Engagement Lead
• Department: Public Affairs
• Travel: Minimal
• Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Interested?

This is a rare opportunity to join a company operating at the center of one of the most important infrastructure build-outs of the next decade. You will work directly with senior leadership, government stakeholders and development teams to help shape how major AI infrastructure projects are delivered across the United States.

If your experience involves influencing policymakers, building stakeholder support, navigating complex political environments or securing successful outcomes for large-scale initiatives, we'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Even if your current title doesn't include community engagement, we'd encourage you to apply if the responsibilities described above resonate with your experience.