Head of External Affairs Jobs
Head of External Affairs jobs are open across government, nonprofits, healthcare, higher education, and corporate sectors, at every level from director to vice president and chief, with specializations in government relations, advocacy, and public policy. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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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 Head of External Affairs Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head of External Affairs JobsHead of External Affairs 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 head of external affairs jobs.
- Ten or more years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy advocacy
- Demonstrated relationships with federal, state, or local legislators and regulatory agencies
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing external consultants or lobbyists
- Bachelor's degree required, with a master's or law degree strongly preferred
- Proficiency in legislative tracking platforms and stakeholder management tools
- Strong written and oral communication skills for executive-level and public audiences
Tips for Your Head of External Affairs Job Search
Tailor your resume to policy outcomes
Head of external affairs roles expect proof of real policy impact, not just relationship management. Reframe your experience around bills influenced, coalitions built, or regulatory outcomes you shaped. Generic government relations summaries won't stand out against candidates with concrete legislative wins.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head of external affairs openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target organizations by advocacy focus
Narrow your search by the policy domain you know best, whether that's healthcare regulation, environmental policy, or financial services. Hiring managers in external affairs want subject-matter credibility, so applying within your domain dramatically increases your interview rate compared to broad applications.
Prepare a portfolio of stakeholder wins
Bring documented examples of stakeholder engagement campaigns, congressional testimony, or executive coalition efforts to interviews. External affairs candidates who can walk through a specific lobbying strategy, its obstacles, and its result are far more compelling than those who speak only in general terms.
Research the organization's current policy agenda
Before your interview, identify the two or three regulatory or legislative issues the organization is actively working on. Connecting your background directly to those live priorities in your answers signals that you've done substantive homework, not just skimmed the about page.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
In external affairs, your authority over lobbyist contracts, PAC strategy, or executive access matters as much as title. When an offer comes, clarify reporting structure, budget authority, and board access before you accept, as these define whether you can actually do the job effectively.
Head of External Affairs Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head of external affairss?
The companies hiring the most head of external affairss right now include QTS, AT&T, and GMTO, with the largest share of openings in District of Columbia, Virginia, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong in sectors with active federal or state regulatory exposure.
How many head of external affairs jobs are remote?
About 82% of head of external affairs openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the role's reliance on in-person legislative meetings and stakeholder relationships means fully remote positions remain less common than in other leadership functions. Policy advocacy and government relations sub-roles tend to have the lowest remote share.
How do you become a head of external affairs?
Most heads of external affairs build their path through government service, legislative staff roles, or senior positions in public affairs consulting before moving into organizational leadership. Developing deep policy expertise in a specific domain, building a durable network of government contacts, and taking on progressively larger advocacy portfolios are the key steps toward the top role.
Can you get a head of external affairs job with limited experience?
Breaking into a head of external affairs role with limited experience is difficult, but director-level or deputy roles are realistic entry points for candidates with strong policy credentials and a few years in government, advocacy organizations, or trade associations. Demonstrating ownership of a policy initiative, even a narrow one, is more persuasive than seniority alone.
What does the head of external affairs interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a screening call, followed by structured interviews with the CEO or executive team, the board, and key policy or government relations staff. Candidates are often asked to present a strategic plan for the organization's external priorities. References from legislators, regulators, or coalition partners carry significant weight in final decisions.
Where can I find and apply to head of external affairs jobs?
You can find and apply to head of external affairs jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your policy domain and experience level, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 50 Head of External Affairs Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head of External Affairs Jobs