ABOUT SALUTE
Salute is a mission‑driven organization committed to delivering high‑quality service by empowering people, promoting operational excellence, and fostering a culture built on integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Our teams support diverse operational environments and partner closely with clients to create safe, efficient, and reliable outcomes.
Salute Benefits That Put You First
We know life doesn’t stop when work begins, that’s why we offer perks designed to support your well-being, your family, and your future:
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and PTO so you can rest, celebrate, and take care of what matters most.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including Medical, Dental, and Vision that you can enroll in starting on Day 1. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30-days of employment.
- Peace of Mind: The Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees, even if you do not participate in the benefits package.
- Your financial future matters: Enjoy our employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
- Wellness Support: Access to HSA, mental health resources, and gym discounts—because your health matters.
- Extra Protection & Perks: Through discounted group programs, such as legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection for life’s unexpected moments.
DEPARTMENT: Growth Marketing
REPORTS TO: Chief Growth Officer
LOCATION TYPE: Remote
DIRECT REPORTS: Yes
TRAVEL: 25%-40%
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director/VP of Community Affairs and Economic Development is responsible for creating, executing, and measuring a comprehensive strategy to build enduring, positive relationships with local government, community stakeholders, and business leaders in communities where Salute operates data center facilities. This role is a key strategic partner, focused on building relationships and mitigating operational risk by proactively addressing infrastructure, housing, and workforce gaps that can threaten long-term success for Salute and its clients.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Housing and Quality of Life: Partner with public and private entities to address critical infrastructure needs like affordable housing, emergency services and community resources for families.
- Local Procurement: Work with Vendor Management to develop and manage a program to prioritize and onboard local small businesses as vendors for property management and facility management services.
- Workforce Pipeline Creation: Work with Corporate Learning to coordinate local workforce development programs in collaboration with nearby community colleges and vocational schools.
- Community Relationships: Proactively build relationships with key local stakeholders and influencers, including business owners, community officials, non-profits, and school district leadership to build support and ensure continuous communication and transparency.
- Chamber and Economic Development: Work with Account Directors to maintain a highly visible and active role in the local Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organizations to position Salute’s workforce as a long-term community asset.
- Communications: Work with Corporate Communications and Marketing to develop internal and external messaging in support of community affairs and economic development initiatives.
KEY SKILLS
- Proven ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with elected officials, community leaders, non profits, and business organizations.
- Strong strategic planning capabilities with experience designing and executing community or economic development programs that mitigate operational risk.
- Experience addressing infrastructure adjacent challenges such as housing availability, workforce readiness, transportation, emergency services, or public utilities.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to align messaging across internal leadership, external partners, and community audiences.
- Ability to operate as a senior cross functional partner, collaborating with Operations, Account Directors, Vendor Management, Learning & Development, Marketing, and Communications.
- Comfort developing presentations, briefing materials, and executive level reports for internal and external audiences.
- Drive to make a difference in the communities we serve
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Economic Development, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in community affairs, economic development, government relations, public–private partnerships, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience working with local and state government entities, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders.
- Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, industrial, real estate, or mission critical facilities (e.g., data centers, utilities, manufacturing, logistics) strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated executive presence and credibility when representing an organization publicly.
- Ability to influence without authority and navigate complex, multi stakeholder environments.
- Sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy when addressing sensitive community or political issues.
- Desire to build and lead a team
- Willingness to travel regularly to Salute operating communities and customer locations (estimated 25–40%).
Compensation & Benefits Disclosure
The base salary for this role is $150,000 per year. This pay reflects a good‑faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire, based on factors such as skills, experience, education, and market/location. Our comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), gym discount, mental health, Discounted Group Life & AD&D, Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability, 401(k) retirement matching, PTO/paid holidays, and parental leave. Final compensation will be determined by job‑related factors consistent with applicable law.
Salute is an equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants; if you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources department at [email protected] for more information.
(For specific Recruitment related questions, please contact our Talent Acquisition department at [email protected].)