Director, Public Affairs

Job Description

The once in a century transition to autonomous and electric vehicles is underway and will require a multi-trillion-dollar investment in energy and charging infrastructure, and the real estate to site it on. Terawatt is the leader in delivering large scale, turnkey charging solutions for companies rapidly deploying AV and EV fleets. Whether it's an urban mobility hub, or a carefully located multi-fleet hub for semi-trucks, Terawatt brings the talent, capabilities, and capital to create reliable, cost-effective solutions for customers on the leading edge of the transition to the next generation of transport.

With a growing portfolio of sites across the US in urban hubs and along key logistics and transportation corridors and logistics hubs, Terawatt is building the permanent transportation and logistics infrastructure of tomorrow through a robust combination of capital, real estate, development, and site operations solutions. The company develops, finances, owns, and operates charging solutions that take the cost and complexity out of electrifying fleets.

At Terawatt, we execute humbly and with urgency to provide tailored solutions for fleets that delight our clients and support the transition of transportation.

Role Overview

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.

Why This Role Is Exciting

This role offers the chance to make a real impact by shaping how the company engages with local communities and navigates complex neighborhood dynamics. You will work at the intersection of strategy, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management, taking on visible, high-stakes challenges that require creativity, judgment, and influence. This is a builder's role, giving you the opportunity to develop frameworks, playbooks, and approaches that define how the company interacts locally for years to come. By turning potential challenges into constructive partnerships and collaborating across functions with senior leaders, your work will directly strengthen the company's credibility, trust, and long-term success in the communities we operate.

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 processes-including permitting, zoning, entitlements, legislative tracking, and policy analysis-to 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 [email protected].

Terawatt Infrastructure is an equal opportunity employer.