Public Affairs Leader

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Public Affairs Leader based in the United States. This senior public affairs role serves as the operational deputy to the VP of Public Affairs and helps shape strategy across a growing North American market footprint. You will lead a field team, oversee external consultants, and build trusted relationships with communities, elected officials, and other local stakeholders. The role is central to securing community support, navigating political and regulatory risks, and enabling large-scale infrastructure projects to move forward. You will develop repeatable engagement strategies from early project introduction through construction and operations. Working cross-functionally, you will translate complex community and policy dynamics into clear recommendations for senior leadership. The environment is fast-moving, entrepreneurial, and highly autonomous, with meaningful influence over both team development and public affairs strategy. This is an opportunity to help shape the community engagement model for an expanding technology and infrastructure platform. Lead and develop a team of market-based public affairs professionals, setting priorities, coaching performance, and ensuring field teams have the resources and strategic direction needed to succeed. Act as deputy to the VP of Public Affairs, representing the function internally, supporting key decisions, and stepping in to provide leadership when needed. Manage relationships with external consultants, government relations firms, and other strategic partners across multiple markets. Develop and execute a community engagement playbook covering the full project lifecycle, from initial introductions through construction and ongoing operations. Represent the organization before local elected officials, planning boards, town halls, community meetings, and other stakeholder forums. Build relationships with communities and identify political, regulatory, and stakeholder risks early, developing practical mitigation strategies before issues become project blockers. Support community investment initiatives, including local education, workforce development, and other programs designed to strengthen community relationships. Partner with legal, infrastructure, communications, marketing, and business teams to coordinate stakeholder strategies and messaging around specific projects. Monitor political and regulatory developments across North American markets and translate emerging risks and opportunities into actionable recommendations. Prepare concise executive briefings that turn complex policy, political, and community dynamics into clear insights for senior decision-makers. Establish consistent engagement practices across markets and build a scalable approach that supports future expansion. Strengthen internal relationships and become a trusted cross-functional partner on community, political, and public affairs matters. Requirements: 7–10 years of experience in public affairs, communications, community engagement, government relations, or a closely related field. Hands-on experience supporting the development of infrastructure projects and engaging communities throughout the project lifecycle. Proven experience managing and developing teams, as well as overseeing external consultants and strategic partners. Experience working within a fast-moving company, startup, or similarly dynamic environment where priorities can evolve quickly and ambiguity is common. Experience in data centers, energy, technology infrastructure, or other large-scale infrastructure sectors is strongly preferred. Strong understanding of community engagement, stakeholder relations, political dynamics, and regulatory considerations relevant to infrastructure development. Excellent relationship-building skills, with the credibility to engage effectively with community members, elected officials,