Regional Manager Economic Development

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate economic development workstreams for QTS’ domestic site selection and expansion activities, supporting projects end-to-end — from stakeholder mapping, positioning, and messaging through agreement execution and post-deal partnership and value stewardship.
• Manage economic development due diligence and engagement for approximately 10-15 sites simultaneously, building relationships with local stakeholders and developing tailored economic development plans and collateral that strengthen QTS’ market position.
• Identify, quantify, and negotiate market-specific economic development packages on behalf of QTS and its customers, structuring economic development agreements that extend beyond traditional tax incentives — including community investment plans and workforce development projects — to drive local impact and shared economic outcomes for both QTS and host communities.
• Support project teams throughout the deal-flow process, advising on the economic development aspects of deal structures and the social return on investment they generate.
• Maintain in-depth situational awareness of political, economic, and policy factors that may affect QTS’ business and economic development activities.
• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with key stakeholders across Texas and the Southwest, including local and state government, policymakers, economic development organizations, customers, industry coalitions, and community and non-governmental organizations.
• Advocate for QTS’ priorities on economic and community issues, and represent the company in relevant chambers, associations, and coalitions as a proponent of the data center industry.
• Articulate QTS’ competitive advantages and differentiators to internal and external audiences, reinforcing the company’s standing as an industry leader.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success negotiating economic development programs and community-benefit agreements and securing successful outcomes for complex projects.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to engage in broader strategic dialogue with the business while also rolling up his/her sleeves to drive projects to completion.
• The credibility and presence to represent the company effectively with external stakeholders, including senior government officials and community leaders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to sell ideas and concepts to a range of internal and external stakeholders and constituents.
• The ability to manage fast-paced, frequently changing workstreams while remaining flexible and responsive to shifting priorities.
• Comfort with frequent travel (anticipated > 25%), including visits to QTS sites, state and local capitals, and regional meetings and hearings.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Policy acumen: experience with state and local legislative and regulatory processes, and the ability to analyze legislative and policy proposals and their implications for QTS.
• Intellect and insight, combined with strong subject-matter knowledge, situational awareness, and executive presence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in, or knowledge of, the data center industry and/or analogous capital-intensive sectors such as energy, or utilities is a strong plus.
• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, economics, business, planning, or law) is highly desirable.
• A Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential is a plus.

About Company