External Affairs Officer Jobs
External Affairs Officer jobs are open across government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and higher education institutions, from entry-level program roles to senior director positions, with specializations in government relations, community engagement, and policy communications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find External Affairs Officer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 50+ External Affairs Officer jobs
Who we are:
As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.
The Senior Vice President, National External Affairs is responsible for developing and executing QTS’s national external affairs strategy in support of the company’s long-term growth, market expansion, reputation, and public policy objectives. This executive leader serves as the senior authority for government relations, public policy, economic development, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder management across the United States.
The SVP will lead a team of leaders and collaborate closely with Development, Legal, Energy Strategy, Communications, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Operations, Sales, Security, and Executive Leadership to advance business priorities and strengthen QTS’s position as a trusted industry leader.
This role is accountable for shaping legislative and regulatory strategies at the federal, state, and local levels; influencing public policy outcomes; supporting site development and infrastructure initiatives; managing key external relationships; and leading a high-performing national organization that drives positive outcomes for communities, policymakers, customers, and QTS. The SVP will oversee significant operating budgets, external consultants, trade associations, and lobbying activities while serving as a strategic advisor to the Executive Leadership Team
What You Will Do:
Executive Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive national external affairs strategy aligned with QTS’s growth, development, energy, and market expansion objectives.
- Lead and integrate government relations, public policy, economic development, community engagement, and stakeholder management functions across the enterprise.
- Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic counsel on legislative, regulatory, political, and community matters impacting business performance.
- Establish enterprise priorities, operating plans, performance metrics, and resource allocation strategies for the External Affairs organization.
- Lead and develop a nationally distributed team of regional external affairs leaders and subject matter experts.
- Foster strong cross-functional alignment between External Affairs and Development, Operations, Energy, Legal, Communications, Sales, and Enterprise Leadership.
Government Relations & Public Policy
- Provide executive oversight of federal, state, and local government relations strategies.
- Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, policymakers, regulators, industry associations, economic development organizations, and community leaders.
- Anticipate and influence legislative, regulatory, and policy developments that affect QTS’s business operations, infrastructure growth, energy strategy, and market expansion.
- Direct advocacy efforts related to data center development, energy availability, workforce development, taxation, land use, infrastructure investment, and emerging technology policy.
- Oversee lobbying activities and ensure compliance with all applicable reporting, registration, and ethics requirements.
Economic Development & Market Expansion
- Partner with Development and Economic Development teams to support site selection, incentives strategy, entitlement efforts, permitting initiatives, and infrastructure development.
- Advance relationships with state and local economic development organizations to accelerate growth opportunities.
- Support utility, energy, workforce development, and community investment initiatives that strengthen QTS’s competitive position.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Establish strategies that strengthen trust and credibility with local communities, civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and business partners.
- Provide executive leadership during public hearings, zoning efforts, community outreach initiatives, and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Support crisis response planning, reputation management initiatives, and strategic community investment programs.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead succession planning, talent development, and organizational capability building for the External Affairs function.
- Develop and manage multi-million-dollar operating budgets, consultant engagements, trade association memberships, and strategic partnership investments.
- Establish accountability measures and performance expectations for regional leaders and external affairs personnel.
- Drive operational excellence, consistency, and best practices across all external affairs disciplines.
What You Will Need to Be Successful:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Law, Communications, Public Administration, Economics, or related field.
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in government relations, public affairs, public policy, economic development, external affairs, or a related field.
- 10+ years of executive leadership experience leading geographically dispersed teams and complex organizational initiatives.
- Demonstrated success influencing legislative, regulatory, and policy outcomes at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Experience managing significant operating budgets, consultant relationships, and external stakeholder networks.
- Proven ability to partner with executive leadership and influence business strategy.
- Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, and economic development processes.
- Strong understanding of lobbying strategy, public affairs, legislative processes, crisis policy response, stakeholder advocacy, and the intersection of business strategy and public policy.
- Ability to travel
Nice to Have:
- Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, JD, or equivalent).
- Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, data center, utility, telecommunications, or industrial development projects.
- Established national network of relationships with government, industry, and community leaders.
- Experience leading enterprise-wide external affairs organizations across multiple regions. Prior experience working in a governor's administration, state or local legislative office, campaign or policy team, local consulting firm, lobbying firm, public affairs firm, or strategic consulting environment.
- Experience serving as a senior policy advisor, lobbyist, or strategic advisor on critical issues before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, or other government bodies.
- Experience representing corporate clients or organizations on complex government affairs, public affairs, strategic consulting, or crisis-related matters.
In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is:
$203,862.75 - 307,153.21
Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:
- Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
- Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays
- Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)
- 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked
- Pet and Legal Insurance
- Q-Rest Sabbatical Program
- Q-Anniversary Service Award Program
- Parental Leave
- Military Benefits Package
- QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
- QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
- QTS Crisis Fund
- Wellness Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.
The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:
Know Your Rights (English)
Know Your Rights (Spanish)
QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to talentacquisition@qtsdatacenters.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Who we are:
As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.
The Senior Vice President, National External Affairs is responsible for developing and executing QTS’s national external affairs strategy in support of the company’s long-term growth, market expansion, reputation, and public policy objectives. This executive leader serves as the senior authority for government relations, public policy, economic development, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder management across the United States.
The SVP will lead a team of leaders and collaborate closely with Development, Legal, Energy Strategy, Communications, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Operations, Sales, Security, and Executive Leadership to advance business priorities and strengthen QTS’s position as a trusted industry leader.
This role is accountable for shaping legislative and regulatory strategies at the federal, state, and local levels; influencing public policy outcomes; supporting site development and infrastructure initiatives; managing key external relationships; and leading a high-performing national organization that drives positive outcomes for communities, policymakers, customers, and QTS. The SVP will oversee significant operating budgets, external consultants, trade associations, and lobbying activities while serving as a strategic advisor to the Executive Leadership Team
What You Will Do:
Executive Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive national external affairs strategy aligned with QTS’s growth, development, energy, and market expansion objectives.
- Lead and integrate government relations, public policy, economic development, community engagement, and stakeholder management functions across the enterprise.
- Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic counsel on legislative, regulatory, political, and community matters impacting business performance.
- Establish enterprise priorities, operating plans, performance metrics, and resource allocation strategies for the External Affairs organization.
- Lead and develop a nationally distributed team of regional external affairs leaders and subject matter experts.
- Foster strong cross-functional alignment between External Affairs and Development, Operations, Energy, Legal, Communications, Sales, and Enterprise Leadership.
Government Relations & Public Policy
- Provide executive oversight of federal, state, and local government relations strategies.
- Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, policymakers, regulators, industry associations, economic development organizations, and community leaders.
- Anticipate and influence legislative, regulatory, and policy developments that affect QTS’s business operations, infrastructure growth, energy strategy, and market expansion.
- Direct advocacy efforts related to data center development, energy availability, workforce development, taxation, land use, infrastructure investment, and emerging technology policy.
- Oversee lobbying activities and ensure compliance with all applicable reporting, registration, and ethics requirements.
Economic Development & Market Expansion
- Partner with Development and Economic Development teams to support site selection, incentives strategy, entitlement efforts, permitting initiatives, and infrastructure development.
- Advance relationships with state and local economic development organizations to accelerate growth opportunities.
- Support utility, energy, workforce development, and community investment initiatives that strengthen QTS’s competitive position.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Establish strategies that strengthen trust and credibility with local communities, civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and business partners.
- Provide executive leadership during public hearings, zoning efforts, community outreach initiatives, and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Support crisis response planning, reputation management initiatives, and strategic community investment programs.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead succession planning, talent development, and organizational capability building for the External Affairs function.
- Develop and manage multi-million-dollar operating budgets, consultant engagements, trade association memberships, and strategic partnership investments.
- Establish accountability measures and performance expectations for regional leaders and external affairs personnel.
- Drive operational excellence, consistency, and best practices across all external affairs disciplines.
What You Will Need to Be Successful:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Law, Communications, Public Administration, Economics, or related field.
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in government relations, public affairs, public policy, economic development, external affairs, or a related field.
- 10+ years of executive leadership experience leading geographically dispersed teams and complex organizational initiatives.
- Demonstrated success influencing legislative, regulatory, and policy outcomes at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Experience managing significant operating budgets, consultant relationships, and external stakeholder networks.
- Proven ability to partner with executive leadership and influence business strategy.
- Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, and economic development processes.
- Strong understanding of lobbying strategy, public affairs, legislative processes, crisis policy response, stakeholder advocacy, and the intersection of business strategy and public policy.
- Ability to travel
Nice to Have:
- Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, JD, or equivalent).
- Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, data center, utility, telecommunications, or industrial development projects.
- Established national network of relationships with government, industry, and community leaders.
- Experience leading enterprise-wide external affairs organizations across multiple regions. Prior experience working in a governor's administration, state or local legislative office, campaign or policy team, local consulting firm, lobbying firm, public affairs firm, or strategic consulting environment.
- Experience serving as a senior policy advisor, lobbyist, or strategic advisor on critical issues before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, or other government bodies.
- Experience representing corporate clients or organizations on complex government affairs, public affairs, strategic consulting, or crisis-related matters.
In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is:
$203,862.75 - 307,153.21
Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:
- Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
- Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays
- Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)
- 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked
- Pet and Legal Insurance
- Q-Rest Sabbatical Program
- Q-Anniversary Service Award Program
- Parental Leave
- Military Benefits Package
- QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
- QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
- QTS Crisis Fund
- Wellness Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.
The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:
Know Your Rights (English)
Know Your Rights (Spanish)
QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to talentacquisition@qtsdatacenters.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
See All 50 External Affairs Officer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find External Affairs Officer JobsExternal Affairs Officer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in external affairs officer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, communications, or a related field
- Experience building relationships with government officials, regulators, or community stakeholders
- Strong written communication skills including policy briefs, testimony, and public statements
- Familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes at federal, state, or local levels
- Ability to represent the organization in public forums, hearings, and coalitions
- Project management experience coordinating cross-functional teams on advocacy or outreach campaigns
Tips for Your External Affairs Officer Job Search
Tailor your resume to policy context
External affairs roles reward specificity about the policy areas you've worked in. Name the legislation, regulatory bodies, or public stakeholders you've engaged rather than describing duties in generic terms. Hiring managers in this field read for issue-area fluency.
Highlight coalition and stakeholder work
Job postings for external affairs officers consistently ask for experience managing relationships with legislators, community partners, or advocacy coalitions. Quantify the size and diversity of stakeholder groups you've coordinated, not just that you coordinated them.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists external affairs officer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Get your writing samples ready now
Many external affairs officer interviews include a written exercise or request policy memos, testimony drafts, or public comments during the screening process. Have two or three clean, unredacted writing samples ready before you start applying so you're not scrambling when asked.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers for these roles typically present real-world scenarios, such as a hostile legislative hearing or a community opposition campaign, and ask how you'd respond. Rehearse answers that show you can balance organizational priorities with public trust under pressure.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
External affairs officers often accept roles where budget authority, board access, and spokesperson status are ambiguous. Before accepting an offer, clarify which external relationships you own versus support, and whether you have direct access to leadership during public affairs moments.
External Affairs Officer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most external affairs officers?
QTS, AT&T, and GMTO are hiring the most external affairs officers right now, with openings concentrated in District of Columbia, Virginia, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially active in sectors with significant regulatory exposure, including healthcare, energy, and higher education.
How many external affairs officer jobs are remote?
About 82% of external affairs officer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by function. Policy research and communications-heavy roles tend to offer more location flexibility, while positions centered on direct government relations or community engagement typically require an on-site or in-district presence.
How do you become an external affairs officer?
Most external affairs officers start in adjacent roles such as legislative aide, policy analyst, communications coordinator, or community outreach specialist, then move into external affairs as they build a portfolio of stakeholder relationships and policy work. Earning a graduate degree in public affairs or public administration can accelerate the path, and consistent engagement with professional associations in your issue area strengthens both your network and your credibility with hiring committees.
Can you get hired as an external affairs officer with little experience?
Entry-level external affairs officer roles do exist, particularly in nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and local government agencies that prioritize issue-area passion and writing ability over years on the job. The most effective way to break in is to demonstrate real stakeholder engagement, whether through internships, volunteer legislative work, or grassroots organizing, and to arrive with writing samples that show you can communicate policy positions clearly to a public audience.
What does the external affairs officer interview process look like?
The process typically runs three to four rounds. An initial phone or video screen focuses on your background and familiarity with the organization's policy landscape. A second round often involves a written exercise or presentation, such as drafting a stakeholder memo or responding to a simulated public affairs scenario. Final rounds bring in senior leadership and may include a panel interview with colleagues from legal, communications, or government relations teams.
Where can I find and apply to external affairs officer jobs?
You can find and apply to external affairs officer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 50 External Affairs Officer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find External Affairs Officer Jobs