Director, Community Relations

Responsibilities

Related Digital is seeking a Director, Community Relations to support community and stakeholder engagement across its data center projects and development pipeline. This role sits within the Communications organization, reporting to the EVP of Corporate Communications at Related Companies, and partners closely with our Government Affairs, Development and Site Selection teams. The Director will play a critical role in helping represent and advance Related Digital’s commitment to responsible development, cultivating genuine and lasting relationships with local elected officials, community stakeholders, civiv and economic development organizations, and local non-profits. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and relationship-builder with a demonstrated history of navigating local community dynamics and complex stakeholder relationships in a fast-moving, high-visibility sector. A background in community engagement, communications or public policy is preferred, with preference given to candidates with public and private sector experience.

We’ll Trust You To

• Help design and execute public engagement plans for prospective and active data center development, including community meetings, open houses, and direct stakeholder briefings tied to zoning, entitlement, and permitting milestones.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with local nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and civic groups whose missions align with Related Digital’s presence in a market, advancing the company’s corporate social responsibility priorities.
• Support the development of community benefit agreements and local partnership commitments in coordination with individual project teams, including development, legal and communications.
• Serve as a point of contact for community organizations, residents, and business groups, providing project updates and answering questions.
• Monitor local sentiment and emerging issues across markets, and develop plans to address community concerns early and actively, with a focus on transparency and collaboration.
• Partner closely with the Communications team on messaging, media relations, and content to ensure a consistent Related Digital narrative across owned and community-facing channels.
• Design and manage community investment and CSR programs — including philanthropic partnerships, sponsorships, and sustainability initiatives — that build lasting local support and align with company priorities. 
• Attend community events and industry forums on behalf of Related Digital to provide project information and answer community questions.

Qualifications

You'll Need To Have

• 10+ years of experience in community relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, or community investment program management, ideally supporting real estate, energy, infrastructure, or large-scale industrial development.
• Experience coordinating with cross-functional teams — including Government Affairs, Legal, and Development — on community-facing issues; this is a communications and community relations role, not a direct government affairs or lobbying position.
• Experience partnering with nonprofit organizations, foundations, or community-based organizations, ideally through corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, or community investment programs.
• Track record building trust with communities on complex or contested development projects; data center, energy, or utility-scale infrastructure experience strongly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing for and helping execute public meetings and community-focused events.
• Comfortable operating in fast-moving, high-visibility situations, including community opposition or media scrutiny. 
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required; advanced degree in public policy, communications, or a related field not required but a plus.
• Ability to travel to project sites across the portfolio. 
• Willingness to be based in Dallas, TX. 

Overview

Why Related Digital?

Formed in 1972, Related is the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, the company has offices and major developments across the world. Related owns and manages a premier portfolio of assets valued at over $70 billion, including the 28-acre Hudson Yards neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side.

Related believes in investing in its talent and cultivates a positive, team-oriented environment where every voice is valued. Employees are encouraged to boldly take on new challenges, transcend the status quo, and demonstrate strong entrepreneurial spirit. In its relentless commitment to excellence, Related fosters an innovative approach so that team members can positively impact the communities in which they conduct business.

Founded by Related Companies, Related Digital is a leading vertically integrated data center development and investment platform that partners with leading technology companies to provide best-in-class digital infrastructure and holistic energy solutions through responsible, community-centered development. Related Digital currently has $55B in active data center development and construction underway representing 6GW of capacity, with projects in Ontario, Wyoming, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois and Texas.

Its vertically integrated platform encompasses site acquisition, entitlements, supply chain procurement, steel fabrication, construction management, and utility-scale energy solutions, providing hyperscalers with differentiated, end-to-end execution. Learn more at related-digital.com.

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