Public Policy and Community Relations Director – (1774)

Description

At CoreSite, we empower a more connected future through high-performance data centers and interconnection solutions. Recognized as a trusted partner in digital transformation, our strategically located facilities and innovative services enable businesses to connect, collaborate, and grow in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Our culture is defined by operational excellence and a relentless drive for innovation. We foster a collaborative environment where every team member is valued, wins are celebrated as a team, and ownership is part of our DNA. At CoreSite, we’re not just building state-of-the-art infrastructure—we’re creating a community of forward-thinkers committed to solving complex challenges and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

At CoreSite, not only are we Committed to Excellence, but we also Build Connections, Own It, Do the Right Thing, Have Fun, and Win as a Team. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of digital infrastructure while nurturing your professional growth and success.

Director, Public Policy and Community Relations Role

CoreSite delivers essential interconnection hubs for our customers across the U.S. to effectively conduct business and support their customers. The Director, Public Policy and Community Relations, develops advocacy strategies at the local market level, positions CoreSite on key issues, and advises CoreSite’s cross-functional team leaders on local matters including local legislative priorities, the political environment, and public sentiment related to data centers.

This role will:

Problem-solve and build relationships with local leaders and communities through a position of trust.

Create a more favorable and resilient local public policy environment for CoreSite.

Ensure success, mitigate risk, and foster sustainable, long-term growth for CoreSite and our customers while adding value to the communities in which we operate.

This newly created role works closely with the Vice President of Marketing and Sales Development, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development to help define and build CoreSite’s public policy strategies. This includes planning and executing strategic communications programs while operating at a high level of autonomy and regularly collaborating with cross-functional subject matter experts.

This role enables CoreSite to deliver on its growth plans across the U.S. and has responsibility for establishing and maintaining local regulatory environments and positive community outreach that support CoreSite’s economic development. The Director develops and delivers sustainable strategies and proactively engages with local leaders and communities in which we are located.

Duties

Partner with Marketing, Legal, and Corporate Development department leaders to build out the company’s Public Policy and Community Engagement function.

Collaborate with American Tower’s (CoreSite’s parent company) Public Affairs Team for alignment and to leverage their knowledge and best practices.

Direct and support the execution of strategic local regulatory and community engagement plans to drive business objectives in the markets in which we operate.

Research, identify, and track current and emerging policy issues across the U.S. and engage internal team members to determine company strategies, positions, priorities, and risks.

Develop strategies to navigate and impact policy objectives; engage with state and local governments to advance the company’s public policy interests.

Direct, lead, and collaborate with CoreSite’s corporate development, legal, construction, finance, operations, and additional teams on key local issues and workstreams. Support pre-development processes, researching policy drivers, public sentiment, and media coverage in new markets. Understand and pursue local tax incentives and funding programs for data center development with permit and zoning authorities.

Develop and direct communication strategies to engage with community leaders in existing and new CoreSite markets.

Manage contract lobbyists, association memberships, and coalition partnerships.

Research industry trends and incorporate relevant insights into messaging development to educate and prepare cross-functional colleagues.

Regularly analyze performance against goals and report to marketing department and cross-functional leaders.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to thrive in a hybrid work environment (at least two onsite days per week).

Flexibility to travel up to 25% of the time to multiple CoreSite markets, capital cities, regional meetings, and hearings, with potential for increased in-office presence as business needs evolve.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, adapting language, tone, and style for diverse internal and external audiences, including senior government officials and company executives.

Experience in government relations, economic development, or community engagement.

Ability to learn business needs and represent those interests before government officials.

Creative and critical thinking skills with the ability to understand complex issues and develop effective action plans.

Experience with policies related to data centers, AI, tax policy, energy, and sustainability.

Experience managing contract lobbyists and acting as an internal lobbyist for a private company is highly preferred.

Advanced political savvy and ability to connect with customers and community members.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Information technology and Business-to-Business experience preferred.

7–10 years of hands-on experience in government relations, economic development, or community engagement.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to perform essential job functions with reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop or kneel, talk, and hear.

Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Ability to travel is required.

Compensation

Base salary: $175,000 – $190,000 annually.

Eligible for annual bonus and equity, based on individual and company performance.

Posting Timeline:

Expected to be posted through October 22, 2025.

Benefits

CoreSite offers a fun, team-focused work environment with benefits for employees regularly scheduled to work more than 20 hours a week:

First-day medical insurance through Cigna with generous premium cost coverage

Dental insurance through Delta Dental

Vision insurance through VSP

Telemedicine through MDLive for Cigna

Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) plans

Health saving account (HSA) plans for employees participating in the High Deductible Health Plan

Life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance fully paid by the company

Voluntary coverage benefits for supplemental life, critical illness, accident, and hospital insurance

First-day eligibility for 401(k) savings plan through Fidelity, with a 5% company match

Discretionary annual bonus and equity incentive plan

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) with a 15% discount

16 days of paid time off (PTO), 11 paid company holidays, and additional floating holidays

Additional paid time off for school events, elder care, volunteering, bereavement, jury duty, voting, parental leave, and disability leave

Free parking or company contribution toward a public transit pass

Additional Perks:

Wellness Reimbursement Program: $500 yearly for employees, $300 for dependents, up to $800 per family

Wellness Incentive Program: Earn up to $450/year in cash incentives for wellbeing activities

Technology Stipend: $100 monthly

Educational Reimbursement Program: Up to $5,250/year for qualifying work-related learning

Giving Back: Charitable donation matches up to $5,000/year; nominate organizations for Company Foundation grants

Financial Management: Access to financial coaching, digital tools, and services to manage student loan debt

Pet Insurance: Coverage for your pets

Family Planning: Benefits for fertility, pregnancy, menopause, adoption, and surrogacy

Employee Assistance Program: 24×7 support for family, work, money, health, legal, and life challenges

Counseling and Caregiving Programs: Mental health services, licensed counselors, and caregiving support

Referral Bonus: $3,000 cash bonus for eligible referrals

Discounts: Offers on thousands of brands

LinkedIn Learning Membership: Access to LinkedIn’s library of courses and videos

General Statements

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and, where permitted by law, a 5-panel drug test conducted after the offer letter is signed.

Applicant Privacy Notice:

CoreSite is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information submitted by applicants. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires us to provide information about our personal information handling practices. Read the Applicant Privacy Notice for details.

Note: Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this job posting on external sites is prohibited without prior written consent from CoreSite. We are not responsible for postings or offers not originating from our official channels or approved partners.

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