Regional Manager, Economic Development

QTS Data Centers; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Equity eligible

Generous PTO

Floating holidays

Stock Purchase Plan

Holiday pay

Legal insurance

Sabbatical program

Anniversary service award

Parental leave

Military benefits

Charitable matching

Scholarship program

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

QTS Data Centers in Irving, TX, is seeking a Regional Manager, Economic Development to lead the company’s site selection and community partnership efforts across Texas and the Southwest. You will coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders to advance projects end-to-end, from stakeholder mapping to deal execution and value stewardship.

The role requires a strong track record in negotiating development programs, managing multiple sites (10–15 concurrently), and articulating QTS’s

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success negotiating economic development programs and community-benefit agreements and securing outcomes for complex projects.
• Exceptional project management skills, engaging in broader strategic dialogue while driving projects to completion.
• Credibility to represent the company with external stakeholders including senior government officials and community leaders.
• Experience or knowledge of the data center industry or similar capital-intensive sectors is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, selling ideas to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage fast-paced, changing workstreams while staying flexible.
• Comfort with frequent travel (>25%), including site visits and regional meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead economic development workstreams for site selection and expansion activities across Texas and the Southwest.
• Coordinate economic development due diligence and engagement for 10–15 sites, building tailored plans and collateral.
• Identify, quantify, and negotiate market-specific development packages and agreements for QTS and its customers.
• Advise deal teams on the economic development aspects of deal structures and ROI-related considerations.

Skills

Economic development

Public policy

Government relations

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication

Travel coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CEcD credential

Postgraduate degree (policy/economics/business/planning/law)

Job description

Regional Manager, Economic Development

Supports QTS’ economic development activities across the Texas and Southwest regions, partnering with internal teams and external stakeholders to advance project execution, strengthen QTS’ competitive position, and deliver measurable value to the communities that host QTS’ data centers.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate economic development workstreams for QTS’ domestic site selection and expansion activities, supporting projects end-to-end—from stakeholder mapping, positioning, and messaging through agreement execution and post-deal partnership and value stewardship.
• Manage economic development due diligence and engagement for approximately 10-15 sites simultaneously, building relationships with local stakeholders and developing tailored economic development plans and collateral that strengthen QTS’ market position.
• Identify, quantify, and negotiate market-specific economic development packages on behalf of QTS and its customers, structuring economic development agreements that extend beyond traditional tax incentives— including community investment plans and workforce development projects—to drive local impact and shared economic outcomes for both QTS and host communities.
• Support project teams throughout the deal-flow process, advising on the economic development aspects of deal structures and the social return on investment they generate.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain in-depth situational awareness of political, economic, and policy factors that may affect QTS’ business and economic development activities.
• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with key stakeholders across Texas and the Southwest, including local and state government, policymakers, economic development organizations, customers, industry coalitions, and community and non-governmental organizations.
• Advocate for QTS’ priorities on economic and community issues, and represent the company in relevant chambers, associations, and coalitions as a proponent of the data center industry.
• Articulate QTS’ competitive advantages and differentiators to internal and external audiences, reinforcing the company’s standing as an industry leader.
• Location: Based in either Irving, TX, Austin, TX, or Midland, TX.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success negotiating economic development programs and community-benefit agreements and securing successful outcomes for complex projects.
• Exceptional project management skills, engaging in broader strategic dialogue while driving projects to completion.
• Credibility and presence to represent the company effectively with external stakeholders, including senior government officials and community leaders.
• Experience or knowledge of the data center industry or an analogous capital-intensive sector such as energy or utilities is a strong plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, selling ideas and concepts to a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage fast‑paced, frequently changing workstreams while remaining flexible and responsive to shifting priorities.
• Comfort with frequent travel (anticipated >25%), including visits to QTS sites, state and local capitals, and regional meetings and hearings.
• Bachelor’s degree required; postgraduate degree in public policy, economics, business, planning, or law is highly desirable. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential is a plus.

Other Key Skills (KSAs)

• Policy acumen: experience with state and local legislative and regulatory processes, and the ability to analyze legislative and policy proposals and their implications for QTS.
• Strong subject‑matter knowledge, situational awareness, and executive presence.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to report on key metrics and insights to leaders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented, matrixed environment.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent time‑management and organizational skills, strong attention to detail.
• Self‑starter who takes initiative and follows through on tasks to completion.

Benefits

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Every employee is equity eligible and owners of the company
• Generous PTO, paid volunteer days, and 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

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.