Director of Legislative Policy Strategy

Director Of Legislative Policy Strategy

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow's technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms.

We are committed to solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution.

The Director of Legislative Policy Strategy is responsible for coordinating and executing Applied Digital's legislative and public policy strategy across national, state, and local levels. This role serves as the central point of integration between internal stakeholders, external lobbying partners, and policymakers to ensure Applied Digital's interests are consistently and effectively represented throughout the policy lifecycle.

The Director will focus on policy areas impacting data centers, digital infrastructure, energy, and emerging technologies, with particular emphasis on early-stage policy engagement. This includes leading Applied Digital's response to Federal Requests for Information (RFIs) and similar inquiries to help shape future legislative and regulatory outcomes before formal proposals are introduced.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a coordinated legislative and public policy strategy spanning federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• Ensure alignment and consistency of policy positions across all levels of government while accounting for jurisdiction-specific considerations.
• Identify legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities and advise executive leadership on strategic response and engagement.
• Lead Applied Digital's responses to Federal RFIs, Notices of Inquiry (NOIs), and other early-stage policy requests issued by federal agencies or legislative bodies.
• Coordinate internal subject matter experts to develop thoughtful, data-driven responses that support Applied Digital's long-term policy objectives.
• Track federal policy development pipelines to identify opportunities for early engagement prior to formal rule making or legislation.
• Monitor and influence state and local legislative and regulatory activity affecting Applied Digital's development, operations, energy strategy, and infrastructure planning.
• Support site development and operations teams by addressing zoning, land use, permitting, utility regulation, and local incentive-related policy issues.
• Align state and local policy efforts with broader national strategy to support scalable and repeatable development models.
• Serve as the primary internal liaison to Applied Digital's external lobbying firms and policy advisors.
• Provide strategic direction, priorities, and messaging to lobbying teams to support effective advocacy efforts.
• Coordinate advocacy campaigns, legislative outreach, and policy initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.
• Represent Applied Digital in industry associations, trade groups, and policy coalitions at the national, regional, and state levels.
• Collaborate with peer organizations to advance shared policy objectives related to digital infrastructure, energy, and technology.
• Monitor industry policy trends and competitor positions to inform advocacy strategy.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, legal, development, energy, sustainability, operations, and communications teams.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear business implications and recommended actions.
• Ensure policy strategy is aligned with Applied Digital's growth plans, development timelines, and operational priorities.
• Track legislative sessions, regulatory proceedings, and policy initiatives across relevant jurisdictions.
• Prepare policy briefs, position papers, talking points, and executive summaries for internal and external use.
• Provide regular reporting on advocacy activities, policy developments, and potential impacts to Applied Digital's business.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, Political Science, Law, Economics, or a related field.
• 8 or more years of experience in legislative affairs, public policy, government relations, or regulatory strategy.
• Demonstrated experience engaging across federal, state, and local policy environments.
• Experience coordinating with external lobbying firms or policy consultants.
• Strong understanding of policy issues impacting data centers, digital infrastructure, energy-intensive operations, utilities, or technology-driven industries.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree such as JD, MPP, MPA, or similar.
• Experience supporting infrastructure-heavy, energy-intensive, or highly regulated industries.
• Prior experience responding to Federal RFIs, NOIs, or regulatory consultations.
• Familiarity with economic…