Senior Manager, External Affairs

rowan; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Team building

Benefits package

Unlimited PTO

Parking reimbursement

Bonus plan

401(k) matching

Job summary

Rowan Digital Infrastructure is seeking an External Affairs Regional Manager - Texas to lead economic development, government affairs, public policy, and community relations for our Texas data center projects. This role interfaces with project leadership and cross-functional teams to protect and grow Rowan’s regional portfolio.

The ideal candidate has a proven public policy background, strong strategic thinking, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of public policy experience
• Skilled at persuasively advocating policy positions publicly
• Proven track record of partnerships with AHJs, economic development organizations, and government
• Public policy/government affairs experience
• Experience communicating with senior leaders and executives
• Experience drafting strategic communications and supporting public relations
• Knowledge of policy impacting data center industry preferred
• Experience with legislative tracking for targeted industries preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Engage with government representatives, community organizations, residents, and other local stakeholders about Rowan's projects
• Track state/local legislation, regulatory proceedings, and project entitlements and advocate on these items as necessary
• Form coalitions with interested individuals and organizations to support/oppose state legislation, local policy issues, and more
• Support drafting and managing the execution of strategic plans for political and community engagement in key markets across the region
• Represent Rowan at various public events and effectively communicate the benefits of Rowan project investments to external key stakeholders
• Support the identification of new site development opportunities within the local market
• Support the drafting of communications content to broaden and amplify messaging about our community, economic, and environmental benefits in public settings
• Identify and track pertinent legislation and local policy proposals that may have business implications on Rowan’s operations
• Support the negotiation, execution and implementation of economic development agreements with community partners

Skills

Public policy experience

Stakeholder engagement

Legislative tracking

Strategic communications

Policy advocacy

Partnership development

Communication with executives

Analytical skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

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 an External Affairs Regional Manager - Texas to help lead economic development, government affairs, public policy, and community relations within Rowan’s Texas data center project portfolio. This role is a critical part of the team that works with project leadership and subject matter expert teams from across the business to protect and expand Rowan’s portfolio in this region.

This role will help to bring into fruition Rowan’s portfolio of projects by ensuring the government and community landscape is favorable to our company’s operations. The External Affairs Regional Manager - Texas will also help to protect existing investments by tracking legislation and local policy changes that may impact our operations. The role will act as a face of the company in communities where we are making investments throughout the region.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully working in public policy/government affairs/economic development 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: Ability to travel up to (30%) to project sites and/or for company gatherings

Location: Austin, TX

Compensation: $150K - $175K (Offers Bonus)

Essential Responsibilities

• Engage with government representatives, community organizations, residents, and other local stakeholders about Rowan's projects

• Track state/local legislation, regulatory proceedings, and project entitlements and advocate on these items as necessary

• Form coalitions with interested individuals and organizations to support/oppose state legislation, local policy issues, and more

• Support drafting and managing the execution of strategic plans for political and community engagement in key markets across the region

• Represent Rowan at various public events and effectively communicate the benefits of Rowan project investments to external key stakeholders, including AHJs, economic development partners, elected officials, and the community at large

• Support the identification of new site development opportunities within the local market

• Support the drafting of communications content to broaden and amplify messaging about our community, economic, and environmental benefits in public settings, including project pitches, AHJ presentations, customer meetings, etc

• Identify and track pertinent legislation and local policy proposals that may have business implications on Rowan’s operations

• Support the negotiation, execution and implementation of economic development agreements with community partners

Education, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of public policy experience within government and/or relevant nonprofits, economic development organizations, public interest groups, business, campaigns or industry associations

• Skilled at persuasively and diplomatically advocating policy positions publicly before key stakeholders

• Demonstrated track record of success in developing strong partnerships with AHJs, economic development organizations, state and local government, and other key stakeholder

• Public policy/government affairs experience

• Experience communicating with senior leaders and executives

• Experience drafting strategic communications and supporting public relations

• Knowledge of policy impacting data center industry preferred

• Experience with legislative tracking for targeted industries preferred

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, and highly cross-functional environment

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Fueled 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.

• 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.