VP, Community Relations

Compass Datacenters; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Voluntary

401K

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Compass Datacenters in Dallas, TX is seeking a VP, Community Relations to lead community affairs and public engagement. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in community relations, with a strong presence in local government and community stakeholders.

This role requires strategic oversight in maintaining relationships during high-stakes moments. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401K, and unlimited PTO.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in community relations, public affairs, or external affairs.
• Demonstrated experience with public hearings and rezoning processes.
• Established relationships with local government and civic organizations.

Responsibilities

• Own community relationships during high-stakes situations.
• Develop and maintain local issues management strategies.
• Lead company presence at local government proceedings.
• Build relationships with local stakeholders.
• Support land development initiatives.
• Provide community intelligence for operational issues.

Skills

Community relations experience

Public affairs knowledge

Stakeholder management

Government relations

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Job description

The VP, Community Relations is Compass Datacenters’ senior leader for community affairs and public engagement. This role is the company's primary owner of the relationships, processes, and strategies that protect Compass's license to operate across all campus markets.

Responsibilities

• Own Compass’s community relationships in high‑stakes moments, including rezoning proceedings, organized community opposition, and new market entry—building and managing the stakeholder networks that protect the company’s ability to develop and operate.
• Develop and maintain the company’s local issues management playbook, including opposition intelligence, third‑party and influencer alignment, and escalation protocols coordinated with Corporate Communications and the Strategic Relations Team.
• Lead Compass’s presence at local government proceedings: rezoning hearings, permitting processes, entitlement submissions, and regulatory meetings. Serve as a credible and prepared spokesperson in these settings.
• Identify and build proactive relationships with high‑stakes local stakeholders including county commissioners, city managers, local elected officials, adjacent landowners, regulators, activists, police, and fire, across all Compass markets.
• Support Land Development in local entitlement and hearing preparation, partnering closely on community strategy, hearing logistics, and stakeholder readiness for new projects.
• Support Development and Operations teams in local issues management, providing community intelligence and stakeholder engagement resources when operational issues arise.
• Serve as Compass spokesperson in community and local government settings; flex in support of the Government Relations lead in state and regulatory proceedings as needed.
• Coordinate with Corporate Communications when local issues attract media attention and with Marketing on required public postings (e.g., DEQ permitting) and targeted community‑facing paid campaigns.
• Manage and develop the Community Relations Manager, providing oversight, market guidance, and cross‑functional coordination to ensure the Good Neighbor program reinforces community trust across all markets.

Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in community relations, public affairs, external affairs, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in high‑stakes, forward‑facing environments: public hearings, rezoning processes, and organized community opposition.
• Established relationships with local government, civic, and regulatory organizations in key Texas and multi‑state markets preferred.
• Strong executive presence; credible and authentic as a spokesperson in community and government settings.
• Ability to operate strategically and independently across multiple markets simultaneously.
• Experience in energy, infrastructure, or real estate development sectors preferred.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Must have 10+ years’ experience in community relations, public affairs, or external affairs.
• Must be able to travel regularly to prospective and existing Compass campus markets.

Location

Dallas, TX

Travel

Regular travel required to prospective and existing Compass campus markets.

Benefits

Medical | Dental | Vision | Voluntary | 401K | Unlimited PTO (USA)

Disclaimer

Compass is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Employer will not sponsor applicants for new employment visa status.