[Hiring] Director/VP of Community Affairs and Economic Development @Salute Inc.

Role Description

The Director/VP of Community Affairs and Economic Development is responsible for creating, executing, and measuring a comprehensive strategy to build enduring, positive relationships with local government, community stakeholders, and business leaders in communities where Salute operates data center facilities. This role is a key strategic partner, focused on building relationships and mitigating operational risk by proactively addressing infrastructure, housing, and workforce gaps that can threaten long-term success for Salute and its clients.

Responsibilities

• Housing and Quality of Life:
  • Partner with public and private entities to address critical infrastructure needs like affordable housing, emergency services, and community resources for families.
• Local Procurement:
  • Work with Vendor Management to develop and manage a program to prioritize and onboard local small businesses as vendors for property management and facility management services.
• Workforce Pipeline Creation:
  • Work with Corporate Learning to coordinate local workforce development programs in collaboration with nearby community colleges and vocational schools.
• Community Relationships:
  • Proactively build relationships with key local stakeholders and influencers, including business owners, community officials, non-profits, and school district leadership to build support and ensure continuous communication and transparency.
• Chamber and Economic Development:
  • Work with Account Directors to maintain a highly visible and active role in the local Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organizations to position Salute’s workforce as a long-term community asset.
• Communications:
  • Work with Corporate Communications and Marketing to develop internal and external messaging in support of community affairs and economic development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with elected officials, community leaders, non-profits, and business organizations.
• Strong strategic planning capabilities with experience designing and executing community or economic development programs that mitigate operational risk.
• Experience addressing infrastructure adjacent challenges such as housing availability, workforce readiness, transportation, emergency services, or public utilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to align messaging across internal leadership, external partners, and community audiences.
• Ability to operate as a senior cross-functional partner, collaborating with Operations, Account Directors, Vendor Management, Learning & Development, Marketing, and Communications.
• Comfort developing presentations, briefing materials, and executive level reports for internal and external audiences.
• Drive to make a difference in the communities we serve.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in community affairs, economic development, government relations, public–private partnerships, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with local and state government entities, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders.
• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, industrial, real estate, or mission critical facilities (e.g., data centers, utilities, manufacturing, logistics) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated executive presence and credibility when representing an organization publicly.
• Ability to influence without authority and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy when addressing sensitive community or political issues.
• Desire to build and lead a team.
• Willingness to travel regularly to Salute operating communities and customer locations (estimated 25–40%).

Compensation & Benefits Disclosure

• The base salary for this role is $150,000 per year.
• This pay reflects a good‑faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire, based on factors such as skills, experience, education, and market/location.
• Our comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), gym discount, mental health, Discounted Group Life & AD&D, Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability, 401(k) retirement matching, PTO/paid holidays, and parental leave.
• Final compensation will be determined by job‑related factors consistent with applicable law.

Benefits

• 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and PTO.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1.
• Employee Assistance Program available to all employees.
• Employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Access to HSA, mental health resources, and gym discounts.
• Discounted group programs such as legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection.