Sr Director, Community & Government Affairs (AMER)

Make an impact at NTT Global Data Centers

Join NTT Global Data Centers and be part of a team that drives innovation and sustainability in the digital world. With over 150 data centers across more than 20 countries globally, we offer unparalleled opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology and transformative projects. Experience a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive workplace where your ideas are valued, and your growth is supported.

Your role at a glance

The Senior Director, Community and Government Affairs will lead the strategy, execution, and integration of public policy and community engagement across our rapidly expanding Data Center platform in the Americas. This executive will operate at the intersection of infrastructure development, local politics, and enterprise strategy—ensuring our projects are positioned for long-term success in the communities where we invest.

Sitting within the Development organization, this role will shape legislative and regulatory environments at the federal, state, and municipal levels while directly supporting site selection, entitlements, incentives, and project approvals. The Senior Director will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on political, regulatory, and community risk, build durable relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, and establish scalable government affairs capabilities aligned with our sustainability and business objectives

You will work cross-functionally with Site Selection, Design, Construction, Legal, Energy, Sustainability, Communications, ESG, and other teams to mitigate risk, unlock opportunities, and support the full lifecycle of our data center investments from site selection through operations.

What we are looking for

Key Responsibilities

Building & Leading Policy Strategy

• Design and own a comprehensive government affairs and policy strategy for the Data Center platform across priority markets (federal, state, and municipal).
• Track, analyze, and forecast legislation, regulations, ordinances, and ballot measures affecting data center siting, land use, energy procurement, taxation, incentives, labor, and environmental compliance.
• Translate policy trends into actionable strategies, risk assessments, and business recommendations for senior leadership.
• Lead the development of proactive advocacy strategies to secure favorable policy and project outcomes, including authoring or overseeing position papers, comment letters, testimony, and briefing materials.
• Develop and refine community-facing narratives and engagement approaches that foster local support and address concerns related to energy use, environment, traffic, and economic impact.
• Integrate political, regulatory, and stakeholder considerations into site selection, project approvals, and community engagement processes at the earliest stages.

Community Development & Incentives

• Lead community development strategy in priority markets, positioning data center investments as long-term economic and infrastructure assets aligned with local growth objectives.
• Structure, negotiate, and secure state and local incentive packages, including tax abatements, grants, infrastructure cost-sharing, workforce development support, and utility-related agreements.
• Partner with Development and Finance teams to evaluate incentive opportunities, model financial impacts, and integrate negotiated terms into project underwriting and capital planning.
• Develop compelling economic impact narratives and materials that articulate job creation, tax base expansion, infrastructure investment, and broader community benefits.
• Serve as the senior negotiator with economic development authorities, municipalities, counties, and state agencies to secure competitive, executable agreements.
• Ensure compliance with incentive agreements and performance requirements, coordinating internal reporting and maintaining strong ongoing government relationships.
• Cultivate partnerships with workforce boards, educational institutions, utilities, and community organizations to strengthen local support and enhance long-term project value.
• Integrate community benefit considerations into development strategy, proactively addressing infrastructure capacity, environmental stewardship, and stakeholder priorities

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a senior, trusted liaison to:
• Federal, state and local legislators, public utility commissions, and economic development agencies along with mayors, city councils, planning boards, county commissions, and other local decision-makers.
• Lead high-stakes engagements with municipal and state decision-makers to secure timely approvals and support for data center projects and expansions.
• Represent the company in key industry associations, business coalitions, and issue-based working groups; lead or co-lead joint advocacy campaigns when aligned with business objectives.

Internal Partnering and Strategic Advice

• Ensure federal, state, and local community and regulatory requirements are anticipated, integrated, and budgeted into project planning and execution.
• Provide real-time intelligence, political mapping, and strategic guidance to Data Center leadership on municipal codes, local utilities, permitting pathways, and political, regulatory, and community dynamics in target markets.
• Partner closely with development teams to align project timelines with local and state approval processes; help troubleshoot bottlenecks and escalation paths.
• Collaborate with Development, Legal, Energy, Sustainability, and Finance teams to shape deal structures, permitting approaches, energy procurement strategies, and incentive packages.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Data Center unit on policy issues, ensuring consistent internal communication, alignment, and decision-making.

Knowledge & Attributes

• Demonstrated experience with state and local regulatory processes in Tier 1 data center markets and/or other high-growth digital infrastructure regions.
• Successful track record securing incentives packages, favorable interconnection and energy terms, or meaningful legislative/regulatory wins that created business value.
• Strategic communicator and mentor capable of building confidence, alignment, and execution focus on all levels.

Academic Qualifications & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, JD, or advanced technical degree preferred
• Extensive experience (15+ years) in real estate, utilities, or hyperscale/cloud providers

Required Experience

• Existing relationships with key policymakers, regulators, or industry associations in major data center markets  
• 15+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative counsel, or regulatory roles, with at least 5 years focused on data centers, digital infrastructure, cloud computing, utilities, or other energy- and infrastructure-intensive facilities.
• Proven track record leading policy strategy and government engagement for large-scale, multi-site development or infrastructure programs.

Work Conditions & Other Requirements

• Matrix Organization, which will require up to 30% travel and regular collaboration and meetings across multiple time zones
• Remote-based position with extensive daily use of digital collaboration tools

Compensation Pay Range

This is a remote position that requires reliable internet connection and electricity. A monthly stipend is provided to cover expenses associated with working remotely and use of a personal mobile device.

NTT Global Data Centers Americas, Inc. offers competitive compensation based on experience, education, and location. Base salary for this position is $195,000.00 - $250,000.00.

All regular full-time employees are eligible for an annual bonus; payout is dependent upon individual and company performance.

Employees receive paid time-off, medical, dental, and vision benefits, life and supplemental insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and 401k retirement plan to create a rich Total Rewards package.                                                     

 

Who we are

As the third largest data center provider, we operate over 150 data centers in more than 20 countries and regions. We understand that every business – large and small – has its own unique needs and goals. We offer local-to-global data center expertise, aligned with our connected platform of AI-ready data centers to create solutions that enable our clients to seamlessly scale their digital businesses, anywhere and anytime.

NTT Global Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a global culture that embraces diversity. We are committed to providing an environment free of unfair discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate based on age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected category. Join our growing global team and accelerate your career with us. Apply today.