Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy, Manager

OpenKrill; United States; On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Team building

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Transit reimbursement

Bonus plan

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Rowan Digital Infrastructure seeks a Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy Manager in Maryland to guide state regulatory and legislative engagements. You will partner with leadership and SME teams to expand Rowan’s portfolio while tracking legislation affecting operations.

The role demands strategic thinking, strong negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment. Travel up to 25% is required; location can be Annapolis, MD (preferred) or remote in Maryland.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of public policy experience within government and/or relevant nonprofits, public interest groups, business, campaigns or industry associations.
• Demonstrated ability to persuasively and diplomatically advocate policy positions publicly before key stakeholders on behalf of industry.
• Demonstrated track record of success in developing strong partnerships with regulators, grid operators, AHJs, economic development organizations, state and local government, and other key stakeholders.
• Experience supporting corporate understanding of the U.S. energy market and regulatory environment; regulatory experience, business development, and/or commercial experience is preferred.
• Core understanding of policies and regulations unique to Maryland, PJM and other markets across multiple disciplines, transmission planning and cost allocation, interconnection, market rules and reliable operations.
• Experience communicating with senior leaders and executives at all levels of the organization.
• Deep experience leading advocacy on evolving policy impacting data center/energy industry preferred.
• The ideal candidate will have a passion for energy and environmental policy.
• Experience managing relationships across federal, regional, and state regulators and understand the nuance of stakeholder engagement strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, and highly cross-functional environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Represent Rowan at various policy stakeholder meetings, events, and effectively communicate the benefits of Rowan project investments to external key stakeholders, including the Governor’s Office, state agencies, economic development partners, elected officials, and the community at large.
• Drive strategic engagement with trade associations (e.g., DCC), manage consultants and other relevant third parties as needed to meet Rowan objectives
• Identify and track pertinent legislation and policy proposals that may have business implications on Rowan’s operations
• Support Economic Development, Development, and Energy SMEs to navigate evolving policy landscape in Maryland to both unlock and protect key states of interest for Rowan
• Support analysis of regulatory and policy developments impacting Rowan’s investments, including energy, tax, AI, air permitting, and other data center related matters
• Proactively establish, maintain and grow key relationships with decision makers and stakeholders at Maryland Public Service Commission, other Maryland state agencies, PJM and other pertinent forums
• Support Rowan’s energy team with identification, analysis and assessment of regulatory and market affairs issues, devise proactive engagement strategies to best position the Rowan portfolio for success
• Communicate regularly and effectively in a cross-functional manner with Rowan energy, site origination, site development, finance, and other pertinent teams to translate regulatory and market issues into business impacts and opportunities to benefit Rowan’s portfolio

Skills

Public policy experience

Policy advocacy

Regulators & AHJs

Energy policy knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

At Rowan Digital Infrastructure, we are transforming data center delivery for speed and scale. Our mission is to deliver best-in-class data center solutions to hyperscale customers who share our commitment to sustainability, and to do so with an unwavering focus on efficiency, quality, and flexibility. Our data center solutions are tailored to our customers’ needs and delivered by our exceptional end-to-end team. Rowan is assembling a strategic portfolio of data center sites in Tier 1 markets across the United States at various stages of development, and we’re looking for incredible and passionate people to help us advance our company and our commitment to building a more sustainable future.

Rowan is backed by Quinbrook, a leading investor in the energy transition, and Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager.

Role Summary

Rowan Digital Infrastructure is looking for a Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy Manager - Maryland to support the company’s Maryland regulatory, legislative, and stakeholder engagement activities. This position is a critical part of the team that works with leadership and subject matter expert teams from across the business to protect and expand Rowan’s portfolio in Maryland.

Working closely with Rowan's Director, Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy, the Manager will help to bring into fruition Rowan’s portfolio of projects by ensuring the regulatory landscape is favorable to our company’s operations. This position will also help to protect existing investments by tracking pertinent legislation and rulemaking that may impact our operations. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully working in public policy/government affairs settings. The successful candidate will have excellent strategic thinking and negotiation skills, organizational and communication skills, the ability to multitask, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Travel: Up to 25% for meetings, company gatherings or to project sites.

Location: Annapolis, Maryland (preferred) or Baltimore/Maryland (remote)

Compensation: $125K - $150K (Offers Bonus)

Essential Responsibilities

• Represent Rowan at various policy stakeholder meetings, events, and effectively communicate the benefits of Rowan project investments to external key stakeholders, including the Governor’s Office, state agencies, economic development partners, elected officials, and the community at large.
• Drive strategic engagement with trade associations (e.g., DCC), manage consultants and other relevant third parties as needed to meet Rowan objectives
• Identify and track pertinent legislation and policy proposals that may have business implications on Rowan’s operations
• Support Economic Development, Development, and Energy SMEs to navigate evolving policy landscape in Maryland to both unlock and protect key states of interest for Rowan
• Support analysis of regulatory and policy developments impacting Rowan’s investments, including energy, tax, AI, air permitting, and other data center related matters
• Proactively establish, maintain and grow key relationships with decision makers and stakeholders at Maryland Public Service Commission, other Maryland state agencies, PJM and other pertinent forums
• Support Rowan’s energy team with identification, analysis and assessment of regulatory and market affairs issues, devise proactive engagement strategies to best position the Rowan portfolio for success
• Communicate regularly and effectively in a cross-functional manner with Rowan energy, site origination, site development, finance, and other pertinent teams to translate regulatory and market issues into business impacts and opportunities to benefit Rowan’s portfolio

Education, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of public policy experience within government and/or relevant nonprofits, public interest groups, business, campaigns or industry associations
• Demonstrated ability to persuasively and diplomatically advocate policy positions publicly before key stakeholders on behalf of industry
• Demonstrated track record of success in developing strong partnerships with regulators, grid operators, AHJs, economic development organizations, state and local government, and other key stakeholders
• Experience supporting corporate understanding of the U.S. energy market and regulatory environment; regulatory experience, business development, and/or commercial experience is preferred. Previous positions within renewable energy generation, storage, transmission, or electricity policy would be a strong asset
• Core understanding of policies and regulations unique to Maryland, PJM and other markets across multiple disciplines, transmission planning and cost allocation, interconnection, market rules and reliable operations
• Experience communicating with senior leaders and executives at all levels of the organization
• Deep experience leading advocacy on evolving policy impacting data center/energy industry preferred
• The ideal candidate will have a passion for energy and environmental policy
• Experience managing relationships across federal, regional, and state regulators and understand the nuance of stakeholder engagement strongly preferred
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, and highly cross-functional environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Fuelled by Excellence & Collaboration

At Rowan, we are a distributed team united by a common mission to transform data center delivery. Across our two offices, we offer a hybrid work environment supported by teamwork, technology, and in-office gathering time to help you be successful. We are headquartered in downtown Denver, Colorado and have an office in Seattle, Washington. Our team of talented and passionate individuals is spread out across the U.S.

Here to support you

At Rowan, we want to make sure you can do great work. We offer competitive benefits focused on helping you be and achieve your best.

Benefits

• Hybrid working environment
• Team building and educational opportunities
• Generous benefits package including robust health benefits and a 401(k)-company contribution
• Unlimited PTO
• RTD ECO pass or parking reimbursement
• Competitive compensation, bonus, and an incentive plan

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rowan Digital is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all aspects of our workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.