Head of Community Partnerships and Economic Development

About the Role

Verrus is looking for a Head of Community Partnerships and Economic Development. This is a full-time role reporting to the General Counsel, with significant travel (estimated 50% or more) across our active and target markets. You will ensure Verrus hears the voice of the communities in which we develop while effectively communicating Verrus' unique values. At Verrus, we believe data centers should be valuable assets to their customers, the grid, and the local community—you will be the person who makes that vision real on the ground.

You will develop and lead Verrus' community partnerships and economic development function, defining our national community engagement strategy and a repeatable partnership approach. This is a relationship-first role where you will lead with listening, build authentic relationships with residents and local leaders, and translate Verrus' mission into tangible local value: economic development, good jobs, supplier opportunities, grid and energy benefits, and lasting community investment.

Responsibilities

• Own Verrus' national community partnerships and economic development strategy, shaping it into a repeatable multi-metro partnership playbook that scales across the portfolio.
• Serve as Verrus' trusted local presence and lead voice in the first metros, forging lasting, strategic partnerships with residents, local stakeholders, land community organizations, and leading open houses, public hearings, and community meetings in person.
• Build and lead the network of local partners, consultants, public relations firms, and community ambassadors who deepen Verrus' presence and credibility in every market.
• Earn community trust by listening early and often, engaging questions with candor and transparency, and building broad coalitions and local champions for Verrus.
• Be a responsive, accountable neighbor across the full project lifecycle, from site selection through construction and into operations, resolving day-to-day matters with care and respect.
• Quantify for partner communities Verrus’ lasting measurable local impact: economic development, quality jobs, workforce and supplier opportunities, grid and clean energy benefits, and lasting community investment.
• Bring the community's voice into the business, partnering across pre-development, real estate, construction, engineering, and permitting, and coordinating with energy policy leadership on the local-to-state seam.
• Maintain a portfolio-level view of community sentiment, trust, impact, and engagement across all metros (stakeholder mapping, engagement standards, concern response, hearing prep).
• Prioritize time and investment across metros by permitting stage and community need.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Community Development, Economic Development, Regional Planning, Corporate Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or equivalent professional experience.
• 12 or more years in community engagement, economic development, strategic communication, public relations, or a related field, including senior leadership and team or agency management.
• Demonstrated experience managing organized public opposition and crisis response for large-scale development projects in sectors such as data centers, energy, infrastructure, real estate, or natural resources.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with HOAs, neighborhood groups, and community organizations to navigate complex projects from concept to delivery.
• Demonstrated experience selecting and managing external agencies, consultants, and on-the-ground representatives across multiple markets.
• Exceptional communication and public-speaking skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders in a respectful, solution-oriented manner.
• Willingness and ability to travel 50% or more across multiple metros and states.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing community investment, local partnership, and community benefit programs.
• Established relationships with stakeholders in our established and emerging data center markets, and familiarity with sentiment and community-feedback data tools.
• Experience standing up a community engagement function from scratch in an early-stage or high-growth company.
• Master's degree in a related field.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000–$250,000. Salary is one part of Verrus' comprehensive compensation package, which also includes a discretionary bonus, equity, general health benefits, and paid time off. Compensation is determined by multiple factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.