Senior Vice President, National External Affairs

QTS Data Centers; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 307,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Bonus eligibility

Generous PTO

Volunteer days

Stock Purchase Plan

Holidays and holiday compensation

Pet and Legal Insurance

Sabbatical program

Anniversary service award

Parental Leave

Military benefits

Scholarship for dependents

Crisis Fund

Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is actively seeking a Senior Vice President, National External Affairs to shape federal, state, and local policy, drive national strategy, and lead a distributed team. The role oversees government relations, public policy, and community engagement to advance growth and trust in digital infrastructure.

The position requires 15+ years in leadership with a strong policy track record and travel ability.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in government relations or related external affairs roles.
• 10+ years of executive leadership across dispersed teams.
• Strong ability to influence policy at federal, state, and local levels.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a national external affairs strategy aligned with growth and energy goals.
• Lead government relations, public policy, economic development, and stakeholder management.
• Serve on the senior leadership team, advising on legislative and community matters.
• Set priorities, plans, metrics, and budgets for External Affairs.
• Lead regional external affairs leaders and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee lobbying and ensure compliance with ethics and reporting requirements.

Skills

Executive leadership

Policy influence

Public policy

Stakeholder management

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Law, Communications, Public Administration, Economics, or related field

MBA/MPA/JD or equivalent

Job description

It’s exhilarating to find yourself at a pivotal moment in history— and even more so to be leading the way. At QTS Data Centers, we are proud to stand at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. Our world-class data centers empower our customers’ most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us as a global leader in digital infrastructure.

As AI and cloud technologies fuel the demand for increased speed, capacity, and innovation, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader. We are committed to connecting the globe for good. Driven by purpose and a spirit of innovation, we design, build, and operate some of the most advanced data centers worldwide. In addition to our cutting‑edge technology, we are dedicated to sustainability, incorporating renewable energy solutions to minimize our environmental footprint and drive meaningful impact. As a proud portfolio company of Blackstone, QTS is uniquely positioned to achieve ambitious growth and innovation goals.

At QTS, we are Powered by People. Our team members are the cornerstone of our culture, innovation, and growth. They are mission‑driven, resourceful, and committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. Together, we’re achieving remarkable things and shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

And we’d like to invite you to join us.

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus 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

Who We Are

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

The Senior Vice President, National External Affairs is responsible for developing and executing QTS’s national external affairs strategy in support of the company’s long‑term growth, market expansion, reputation, and public policy objectives. This executive leader serves as the senior authority for government relations, public policy, economic development, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder management across the United States.

The SVP will lead a team of leaders and collaborate closely with Development, Legal, Energy Strategy, Communications, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Operations, Sales, Security, and Executive Leadership to advance business priorities and strengthen QTS’s position as a trusted industry leader.

This role is accountable for shaping legislative and regulatory strategies at the federal, state, and local levels; influencing public policy outcomes; supporting site development and infrastructure initiatives; managing key external relationships; and leading a high‑performing national organization that drives positive outcomes for communities, policymakers, customers, and QTS. The SVP will oversee significant operating budgets, external consultants, trade associations, and lobbying activities while serving as a strategic advisor to the Executive Leadership Team.

What You Will Do

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive national external affairs strategy aligned with QTS’s growth, development, energy, and market expansion objectives.
• Lead and integrate government relations, public policy, economic development, community engagement, and stakeholder management functions across the enterprise.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic counsel on legislative, regulatory, political, and community matters impacting business performance.
• Establish enterprise priorities, operating plans, performance metrics, and resource allocation strategies for the External Affairs organization.
• Lead and develop a nationally distributed team of regional external affairs leaders and subject matter experts.
• Foster strong cross‑functional alignment between External Affairs and Development, Operations, Energy, Legal, Communications, Sales, and Enterprise Leadership.

Government Relations & Public Policy

• Provide executive oversight of federal, state, and local government relations strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, policymakers, regulators, industry associations, economic development organizations, and community leaders.
• Anticipate and influence legislative, regulatory, and policy developments that affect QTS’s business operations, infrastructure growth, energy strategy, and market expansion.
• Direct advocacy efforts related to data center development, energy availability, workforce development, taxation, land use, infrastructure investment, and emerging technology policy.
• Oversee lobbying activities and ensure compliance with all applicable reporting, registration, and ethics requirements.

Economic Development & Market Expansion

• Partner with Development and Economic Development teams to support site selection, incentives strategy, entitlement efforts, permitting initiatives, and infrastructure development.
• Advance relationships with state and local economic development organizations to accelerate growth opportunities.
• Support utility, energy, workforce development, and community investment initiatives that strengthen QTS’s competitive position.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish strategies that strengthen trust and credibility with local communities, civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and business partners.
• Provide executive leadership during public hearings, zoning efforts, community outreach initiatives, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support crisis response planning, reputation management initiatives, and strategic community investment programs.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead succession planning, talent development, and organizational capability building for the External Affairs function.
• Develop and manage multi‑million‑dollar operating budgets, consultant engagements, trade association memberships, and strategic partnership investments.
• Establish accountability measures and performance expectations for regional leaders and external affairs personnel.
• Drive operational excellence, consistency, and best practices across all external affairs disciplines.

What You Will Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Law, Communications, Public Administration, Economics, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in government relations, public affairs, public policy, economic development, external affairs, or a related field.
• 10+ years of executive leadership experience leading geographically dispersed teams and complex organizational initiatives.
• Demonstrated success influencing legislative, regulatory, and policy outcomes at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Experience managing significant operating budgets, consultant relationships, and external stakeholder networks.
• Proven ability to partner with executive leadership and influence business strategy.
• Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, and economic development processes.
• Strong understanding of lobbying strategy, public affairs, legislative processes, crisis policy response, stakeholder advocacy, and the intersection of business strategy and public policy.
• Ability to travel

Nice To Have

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, JD, or equivalent).
• Experience supporting large‑scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, data center, utility, telecommunications, or industrial development projects.
• Established national network of relationships with government, industry, and community leaders.
• Experience leading enterprise‑wide external affairs organizations across multiple regions. Prior experience working in a governor’s administration, state or local legislative office, campaign or policy team, local consulting firm, lobbying firm, public affairs firm, or strategic consulting environment.
• Experience serving as a senior policy advisor, lobbyist, or strategic advisor on critical issues before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, or other government bodies.
• Experience representing corporate clients or organizations on complex government affairs, public affairs, strategic consulting, or crisis‑related matters.

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non‑discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is:

$203,862.75 - 307,153.21

Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non‑discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus 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
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more:

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.

Pay Transparency Policy Is Available Here

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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