Regional Manager, Economic Development

Regional Manager, Economic Development

The Regional Manager, Economic Development, supports QTS’ economic development activities across the Texas and Southwest regions, partnering with internal teams and external stakeholders to advance project execution, strengthen QTS’ competitive position, and deliver measurable value to the communities that host QTS’ data centers. The Regional Program Manager will lead the day-to-day coordination and implementation of economic development plans and agreements across Texas— from early site due diligence and stakeholder engagement through development and operations — ensuring alignment with QTS’ broader strategic objectives while managing state/regional considerations, timelines, and risk. 

The Regional Manager will play a critical role in advancing active projects, supporting new market entry, and cultivating relationships that position QTS as a trusted local partner and industry leader in economic development.

What You Will Do:  

·        Manage and coordinate economic development workstreams for QTS’ domestic site selection and expansion activities, supporting projects end-to-end — from stakeholder mapping, positioning, and messaging through agreement execution and post-deal partnership and value stewardship.

·        Manage economic development due diligence and engagement for approximately 10-15 sites simultaneously, building relationships with local stakeholders and developing tailored economic development plans and collateral that strengthen QTS’ market position.

·        Identify, quantify, and negotiate market-specific economic development packages on behalf of QTS and its customers, structuring economic development agreements that extend beyond traditional tax incentives — including community investment plans and workforce development projects — to drive local impact and shared economic outcomes for both QTS and host communities.

·        Support project teams throughout the deal-flow process, advising on the economic development aspects of deal structures and the social return on investment they generate.

Stakeholder Engagement

·        Maintain in-depth situational awareness of political, economic, and policy factors that may affect QTS’ business and economic development activities.

·        Build and sustain meaningful relationships with key stakeholders across Texas and the Southwest, including local and state government, policymakers, economic development organizations, customers, industry coalitions, and community and non-governmental organizations.

·        Advocate for QTS’ priorities on economic and community issues, and represent the company in relevant chambers, associations, and coalitions as a proponent of the data center industry.

·        Articulate QTS’ competitive advantages and differentiators to internal and external audiences, reinforcing the company’s standing as an industry leader.

·        Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations, or a closely related field.

·        Demonstrated success negotiating economic development programs and community-benefit agreements and securing successful outcomes for complex projects.

·        Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to engage in broader strategic dialogue with the business while also rolling up his/her sleeves to drive projects to completion.

·        The credibility and presence to represent the company effectively with external stakeholders, including senior government officials and community leaders.

·        Experience in, or knowledge of, the data center industry and/or analogous capital-intensive sectors such as energy, or utilities is a strong plus.

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to sell ideas and concepts to a range of internal and external stakeholders and constituents.

·        The ability to manage fast-paced, frequently changing workstreams while rema