VP, Community Relations

Job description

Come join our Rocket Ship and be part of Compass Datacenter’s mission to make life better by providing the world’s technology leaders with a secure place to plug-in wherever they grow. We provide custom, move-in ready data centers, from edge deployments to core facilities serving hyperscale, cloud and enterprise customers. At Compass we have our sights set on leaving a legacy imprint on the data center industry. By putting Culture first, we can show this not only produces results, but more importantly, can change lives. The VP, Community Relations is Compass Datacenters' senior leader for community affairs and public engagement. This role is the company's primary owner of the relationships, processes, and strategies that protect Compass's license to operate across all campus markets. The VP works at the intersection of community trust, land development, local government, and issues management, representing Compass in high-stakes public settings and serving as a strategic partner to both Government Relations and Corporate Communications. The role requires deep experience navigating complex community dynamics, organized opposition, and local regulatory processes, with the ability to operate independently across multiple markets simultaneously. The position requires regular travel to prospective and existing campus markets. Responsibilities: Own Compass’s community relationships in high-stakes moments, including rezoning proceedings, organized community opposition, and new market entry—building and managing the stakeholder networks that protect the company’s ability to develop and operate. Develop and maintain the company’s local issues management playbook, including opposition intelligence, third-party and influencer alignment, and escalation protocols coordinated with Corporate Communications and the Strategic Relations Team. Lead Compass’s presence at local government proceedings: rezoning hearings, permitting processes, entitlement submissions, and regulatory meetings. Serve as a credible and prepared spokesperson in these settings. Identify and build proactive relationships with high-stakes local stakeholders including county commissioners, city managers, local elected officials, adjacent landowners, regulators, activists, police, and fire, across all Compass markets. Support Land Development in local entitlement and hearing preparation, partnering closely on community strategy, hearing logistics, and stakeholder readiness for new projects. Support Development and Operations teams in local issues management, providing community intelligence and stakeholder engagement resources when operational issues arise. Serve as Compass spokesperson in community and local government settings; flex in support of the Government Relations lead in state and regulatory proceedings as needed. Coordinate with Corporate Communications when local issues attract media attention and with Marketing on required public postings (e.g., DEQ permitting) and targeted community-facing paid campaigns. Manage and develop the Community Relations Manager, providing oversight, market guidance, and cross-functional coordination to ensure the Good Neighbor program reinforces community trust across all markets. Skills and Experience: 10+ years of experience in community relations, public affairs, external affairs, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience in high-stakes, forward-facing environments: public hearings, rezoning processes, and organized community opposition. Established relationships with local government, civic, and regulatory organizations in key Texas and multi-state markets preferred. Strong executive presence; credible and authentic as a spokesperson in community and government settings. Ability to operate strategically and independently across multiple markets simultaneously. Experience in energy, infrastructure, or real estate development sectors preferred. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. Must have 10+ years’ experience in community relations, public affairs, or external affairs. Must be able to travel regularly to prospective and existing Compass campus markets. Location: Dallas, TX Travel: Regular travel required to prospective and existing Compass campus markets. Employer will not sponsor applicants for new employment visa status. Disclaimer: Compass is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. At Compass, we make lives better by providing the world's technology leaders with a secure place to plug in wherever they grow. We provide custom, move-in ready data centers from edge deployments to core facilities serving hyperscale, cloud and enterprise customers. We are a Culture First organization. With a keen focus on our culture, we genuinely provide a place where employees can do their best work and grow personally and professionally. Each day, we are accountable to live out our four Core Convictions: 1) Humility In, Pride Out, 2) Actions and Words are One, 3) Continuous Improvement of People, Processes and Systems (spoiler alert - we order People first for a reason!), and 4) We Ask Why to Understand the Needs versus the Wants. Compass is committed to an inclusive culture, and we celebrate and value diverse insights and perspectives. To continue to soar on our rocket ship, we need talent from various background, perspectives, and abilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to successfully participate in the job application, interview process, and in potential roles to perform crucial job functions. That is why we are committed to our core convictions and key principles as we continue to provide companies a secure place to plug in. Learn about us at Benefits: Medical | Dental | Vision | Voluntary | 401K | Unlimited PTO (USA) GDPR Recruiting Privacy Notice (enabled in BreezyHR)