Sr Director, Public Affairs

Your Role

Digital Realty is seeking a Senior Director of Public Affairs to join the Legal Risk Sustainability Compliance team. This role reports to the General Counsel and is an exciting opportunity for an expert candidate to help build Digital Realty’s public policy agenda and to develop and implement strategies to advance this agenda at local, state, and federal levels.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement a coordinated strategy to advance our public policy agenda across our existing and expansion markets across North America, while also coordinating with our EMEA and APAC teams.
• Coordinate and actively participate in the implementation of our public policy strategy, including building and maintaining relationships with key elected officials, regulatory agencies, and industry associations.
• Research, identify, and track current and emerging public policy issues.
• Partner with various internal stakeholders to prioritize key public policy issues related to our mid- and long-term business plans.
• Select and manage third-party policy advisors and lobbyists.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, including Legal, Portfolio Management, Operations, and Marketing, to ensure alignment and to marshal support on public policy and government initiatives.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments at the local, state, and federal level that could impact Digital Realty’s operations and, as appropriate, proactively create and implement strategies to address such developments.
• Collaborate on internal processes for handling public policy matters that arise on an emergency or unexpected basis so that Digital Realty is prepared to respond in such cases.
• Assist in developing a framework to facilitate coordination of global public policy and legislative initiatives as well as community engagement.
• Prepare and disseminate periodic public policy updates for senior management.
• Work with the Marketing/PR team and internal subject matter experts to develop materials that:
  • Educate policymakers about Digital Realty, its industry, and its critical role in supporting digital transformation and emerging technologies (e.g., AI).
  • Promote Digital Realty’s dedication to energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • Highlight Digital Realty’s contributions to the communities in which it operates.

What You’ll Need

• Minimum 10+ years in government affairs, public policy, lobbying, or related roles; prior service in state or federal legislative/regulatory bodies is a plus. Relevant experience will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree; law or master’s degree is a plus.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully advocating for policy initiatives and building relationships with government officials and industry stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and develop innovative solutions.
• Strong situational awareness, good judgment, and ability to work collaboratively and with a sense of urgency.
• Position based in [Washington, DC/Northern VA] area with some travel required.

A Bit About Us

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx®) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 28 countries on six continents.

To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

A Bit About Our Digital Team

Legal

Our Legal team works in a highly complex global business sector with a diverse range of local, regional, and international organizations. From ensuring compliance in different jurisdictions to supporting business teams with customer and supplier contracts, we’re involved in a variety of projects. Working in a dynamic commercial environment, we collaborate with colleagues across different departments and always have a new challenge waiting for us.

What We Can Offer You

Our rapidly evolving business sector offers the opportunity to be part of a courageous and passionate team who work together to understand and meet the changing needs of our global customers.

Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work. As part of our team, you’ll get to work with people from different business areas, challenge the way we do things, and put your ideas into action. We’ll also give you plenty of development opportunities so you can build a rewarding and successful career with us.

Our Compensation Philosophy

Digital Realty offers its employees a highly competitive compensation package, excellent benefits, and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Central to our compensation philosophy is rewarding our employees for achieving the values and objectives aligned to the company’s overall goals and values.

This is an exciting time to join our business, so apply now and make your mark on our future.

Notes

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Digital Realty is an equal opportunity employer (EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled). All applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or other status protected by law or company policy.

Digital Realty is a publicly traded company (NYSE: DLR) with investment-grade ratings from all three major ratings agencies.

Please do not forward unsolicited resumes to any employee of Digital Realty and its subsidiaries. Digital Realty is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited referrals.