Director, Public Affairs

Public Affairs Director Reporting into the VP of Development, the Public Affairs Director (PAD) leads Terawatt's local and community affairs across targeted cities and counties, ensuring constructive engagement with residents, civic leaders, and local stakeholders to support project delivery, entitlements, and operational success. The PAD serves as the company's trusted representative in communities, proactively monitoring local political, regulatory, and social dynamics, and turning potential challenges into constructive partnerships. This role is distinct from the Director of Policy, who manages federal and state legislative and agency engagement. The PAD focuses on local-level issues, helping the company navigate community sentiment, municipal regulations, and neighborhood dynamics that affect EV commercial charging hub projects. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of strategy, stakeholder engagement, and operational impact, is comfortable in high-visibility public forums, and has the judgment and influence to advise leadership and advance Terawatt's mission. Local Government & Community Engagement Develop a deep understanding of the political, regulatory, and community landscape across targeted cities and counties to inform local engagement and support project delivery. Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with key elected officials, agency staff, community leaders, and other influential stakeholders to build advocacy and support for company initiatives. Serve as the primary representative for Terawatt at public meetings, community events, and other local forums. Coordinate with internal teams and external partners, including legal, communications, government relations, and development, to ensure aligned messaging and effective community engagement. Managing Local Issues & Community Sentiment Monitor local political, regulatory, and social developments that may impact EV charging projects and proactively advise leadership on risks, opportunities, and strategic engagement. Lead local issues management related to resident concerns, neighborhood opposition, or special interest groups, developing strategies to mitigate risk and strengthen community trust. Create materials such as talking points, community presentations, fact sheets, and public outreach communications tailored to local stakeholders. Cross-Functional Alignment & Coordination Collaborate closely with internal teams, including the Director of Policy, to ensure alignment where local issues intersect with broader legislative or regulatory priorities while maintaining distinct scope. Support project entitlements and development milestones by providing local intelligence and stakeholder insights to internal teams. Report on local engagement activities, trends, and potential risks to leadership, ensuring decision-making is informed by on-the-ground context. Program Building & Operational Excellence Develop repeatable frameworks, playbooks, and processes for local community engagement and issue management. Track and report community engagement efforts, stakeholder interactions, and local advocacy outcomes. Manage external partners such as community consultants or local advisors to support engagement initiatives as needed. Required Qualifications 7-10+ years of experience in public affairs, government relations, political strategy, or public policy, with a proven record of driving outcomes across city, county, and state levels. Demonstrated success building and managing relationships with elected officials, agency staff, community leaders, and other key stakeholders, particularly in complex or politically sensitive environments. Experience navigating local government processesincluding permitting, zoning, entitlements, legislative tracking, and policy analysisto assess risks, shape engagement strategies, and support project delivery. Strong strategic communications capability, including preparing briefing materials, talking points, public statements, community presentations, and representing an organization in public forums or neighborhood meetings. Proven ability to lead cross-functional coordination with teams such as legal, communications, and development, translating political, regulatory, and community insights into actionable recommendations for the business. Excellent judgment, diplomacy, and discretion when handling sensitive or high-visibility local issues. Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable engaging with senior leaders and diverse community audiences. Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple concurrent issues in fast-moving environments. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting infrastructure, energy, mobility, or real estate development projects involving local siting or entitlements. Familiarity with community relations programs, issues management frameworks, or stakeholder engagement playbooks. Prior experience working in or with municipal government, public agencies, or political organizations. Bachelor's degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, Urban Planning, Communications, Public Policy, or a related field. $195,000 - $215,000 a year Compensation for this role is determined by several factors, including the cost of labor in specific geographic markets, and these ranges are intended to provide a helpful reference. The actual compensation offer will be based on the candidate's location, skills, level of expertise and experience, and internal equity considerations. In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and, where applicable, performance-based incentives. We are building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. At Terawatt, we continuously strive to foster inclusion, humility, energizing relationships, and belonging, and welcome new ideas. We're growing and want you to grow with us. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. If a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact . Terawatt Infrastructure is an equal opportunity employer.

Created: 2026-03-06