Senior Manager, Government Affairs & Public Policy

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement state and local public policy strategies that directly support site selection, project development, and ongoing operations across current and future data center markets. 

• Identify and manage policy risks and opportunities related to energy, utilities, land use, tax, sustainability, permitting, and infrastructure investment. 

• Anticipate emerging policy issues affecting hyperscale and AIdriven growth, including power availability, grid reliability, decarbonization, and infrastructure resilience. 

• Partner with internal energy and sustainability teams to align policy advocacy with clean energy and decarbonization strategies. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with state and local elected officials, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, and key government staff. 

• Support economic development and incentive strategies, including negotiations, compliance, and long term partnership management. 

• Represent the company in public hearings, legislative forums, and stakeholder meetings. 

• Work closely with real estate, development, construction, legal, tax, sustainability, operations, and communications teams to align policy strategy with business priorities. 

• Provide clear, actionable policy guidance to support market entry, site development, and operational decision making. 

• Translate complex policy and regulatory developments into concise executive briefings and recommendations. 

• Engage with industry associations, trade groups, and public/private coalitions to advance shared policy objectives. 

• Draft position papers, comment letters, testimony, and advocacy materials. 

• Support company leadership in external speaking engagements and industry forums. 

• Support community engagement strategies related to data center development, including local outreach and stakeholder education. 

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. 

• 7-10+ years of hands-on experience in economic development, government relations, or state and local government. 

• Experience learning business needs and representing those interests before government officials. 

• Creative and critical thinking and the ability to understand complex issues and identify clear and effective action plans to resolve them is desired. 

• Beneficial to have experience working on policies related to energy, artificial intelligence, taxes, sustainability, and infrastructure development. 

• Strong written and verbal communication to internal and external audiences including senior government officials and company executives. 

• A standout colleague who enjoys working in a matrixed organization to drive forward business value creation is strongly preferred. 

• Experience in leading contract lobbyists and working as an internal lobbyist for a private company is strongly preferred. 

• Advanced political acumen and the ability to connect with collaborators from all backgrounds. 

• Must at ease balancing multiple priorities with shifting timelines and objectives. 

• Travel is anticipated. Travel includes visits to other CyrusOne offices, capital cities, regional meetings and hearings, etc. Travel may increase over time as the business evolves.   

Preferred Experience: 

• Direct experience supporting data centers, hyperscale, AI infrastructure, or other large energy intensive developments. 

• Familiarity with economic development incentives, land use, zoning, and permitting. 

• Background in corporate public affairs, state and local government service, or relevant trade associations.