Senior Manager, Public Policy EMEA - UK/I

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Position Overview

In this newly created role, the Senior Manager – Public Policy for UK and Ireland (UK/I) will be responsible for developing, implementing, and reporting on the company’s public affairs program in in these markets. This Senior Manager will partner with various internal stakeholders to determine Vantage’s policy priorities, build relationships with key stakeholders across Mainland Europe geographies, engage at the local, regional, and national levels of government to advocate for Vantage’s position on a variety of issues, from energy to permitting to sustainability policies and regulatory environments. This role will be an integral part of driving forward end-to-end market success as Vantage grows in the region. This includes supporting initial market intelligence and land selection, through the development and across the operation of our data centers. This role will also be responsible for establishing regulatory and policy environments that support Vantage’s growth, access to energy, customer service and ESG strategies.

Essential Job Functions

• Support the development and execution of a strategic public policy engagement plan to drive forward business objectives at the national and local levels in England, Wales and Ireland.
• Research, identify and track current and emerging policy issues across geographies, engage internal stakeholders to determine the company’s position, priorities and risks in each market.
• Develop strategy to navigate and impact policy objectives; engage with public stakeholders at all levels to advance the company’s public policy interests.
• Collaborate with Vantage’s New Site Development, Engineering, Legal, Energy, Construction, and Operations teams on key issues and workstreams; including owning the policy workstreams in any market-specific cross-functional task forces.
• Engage on expansion and pre-development processes with the Market Development, Site Selection and New Site Development teams, including researching policy drivers and public sentiment in new markets, identifying and building out first relationships with new authorities and public stakeholders, as well as assisting with facilitating permit and zoning applications as necessary.
• Support and drive forward the development and execution of community engagement programs in jurisdictions where Vantage operates or plans to operate in UK/I.
• Oversee third-party public affairs agencies and industry associations in UK/I.
• Build and manage relationships with public affairs counterparts in the industry and with Vantage customers.

Duties

• Monitor policy and political developments across UK/I, and track and report on issues of importance to Vantage and the data center industry.
• Coordinate and draft Vantage positioning statements and external-facing documents for public policy matters, including responses to official requests for information, prepare slide decks and talking points for internal and external meetings, as well as manage briefings for executives and key internal stakeholders when related to UK/I markets.
• Engage with governments across UK/I markets by advocating for Vantage’s position in full compliance with applicable law and regulations.
• Represent Vantage at government and industry meetings in UK/I to testify/comment on Vantage’s behalf.
• Partner with marketing and business teams to develop messaging, collateral, and public relations materials to drive the public narrative around Vantage and the data center industry.
• Promote Vantage’s commitment to sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity; engage in the community supporting Vantage’s role as a good corporate citizen.

Job Requirements

• At least 5-7 years hands-on experience in public policy, government relations, civil service, policy advisory, or similar in the UK is required. Experience in Ireland and other northern European markets is a strong plus.
• Experience in energy-related and/or large-scale development industries or projects is strongly preferred. Data centre experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Bachelor's degree in political science, economics, international relations, public policy, international law, public law, humanities, behavioural sciences or similar is required. Post-graduate degree in a related field is preferred.
• A strong understanding of the national and local level policy environment and mechanisms in England, Wales and Ireland is strongly desired, with hands-on experience navigating and shaping policy within this context. 
• Experience working on policies related to energy, artificial intelligence, planning, sustainability, and/or infrastructure development is preferred
• Experience lobbying and engaging political and national level stakeholders in UK/I to shape the national regulatory environment
• A strong network with relevant UK and Irish ministries and public stakeholder ecosystems is preferred
• Experience managing third party public affairs agencies a plus
• Business-fluency English is mandatory.
• A creative and strategic thinker with the ability to understand complex issues and identify clear and effective action plans to resolve them.
• Empathetic and strong stakeholder engagement skills required
• Strong written and verbal communication to internal and external audiences including senior government officials and company executives.
• A team player that is comfortable working in a matrixed organization and driving forward business value creation.
• Significant travel is required. Travel includes visits to other Vantage offices and development sites, capital cities, and conferences.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.