Director of Legislative Policy Strategy - Dallas - Applied Digital

Description

Position Title: Director of Legislative Policy Strategy

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Location: Remote, US

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:

• Forward-Thinkers: With a keen eye on current market trends and future innovations, we adapt swiftly and lead technological evolution.
• Resilient: We navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger, delivering robust and reliable solutions for industry pioneers.
• Innovative Designers: Leveraging the latest technologies, we create visionary solutions that redefine industry standards.

At Applied Digital, 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.

Role Overview:

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:

Legislative & Public Policy Strategy Coordination

• 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.

Federal Policy Engagement & Early Influence

• 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 rulemaking or legislation.

State & Local Policy Execution

• 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.

External Advocacy & Lobbyist Management

• 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.

Industry & Coalition Engagement

• 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.

Internal Advisory & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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.

Policy Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting

• 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 development incentives, infrastructure funding, and state and local tax policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to coordinate complex policy efforts across multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills
• Ability to influence outcomes through early engagement and well-developed policy positions
• High level of judgment, discretion, and professionalism
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, evolving policy environment

Physical Requirements:

Able to remain in a seated position for an extended period and to lift and carry up to 15 lbs. (office manuals, case notebooks, case files, case materials, standard boxes, report binders, etc.) as needed.

Please note that Applied Digital is currently unable to sponsor new applicants for employment authorization or provide immigration-related support for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, visa categories such as H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1, O-1, and any Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) or other work authorizations that require employer sponsorship.

Working Conditions by Location:

Remote: The Company agrees that Employee may work from home provided employee is in good standing, has a continuous secured internet connection, necessary equipment, and is accessible by MS Teams, phone, fax, and email during business hours. (See Telework policy.)

Office Environment: Business office hours, with work hours necessary to satisfactorily perform job functions. Some overtime may be required to accomplish timely work demands and meet the company's professional commitments. Overtime hours worked are paid to nonexempt employees at one and a half times their hourly pay rate.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents acknowledge that they possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.