Public Affairs Leader

The role

Nebius is looking for a Public Affairs Leader to serve as the number two on our public affairs team, working directly under the VP of Public Affairs with real authority over a growing team and an expanding set of markets. You will be the operational lead for our North American state and local engagement work, managing a field team, driving community strategy, and stepping in wherever the work needs you.

Nebius takes a community focused approach that sets us apart in the market. Communities have real concerns about land use, water, power, and local economic impact, and the companies that earn trust early move faster and build better. This role sits at the center of that effort.

You will start with three direct reports placed across active markets, with the team growing as our pipeline expands. You will have communications and marketing support, a strong story to tell about Nebius's approach, and direct access to the VP to help shape strategy, not just carry it out.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the field team

  • Manage and develop a team of three market-based public affairs professionals, as new markets come online.
  • Set priorities, coach performance, and ensure field staff have the support and strategy they need to be effective on the ground.
  • Serve as the deputy to the VP of Public Affairs — covering decisions, representing the function internally, and stepping in as needed.
  • Manage relationships with outside consultants and government relations firms across markets.

• Drive community engagement strategy

  • Develop and execute the community engagement playbook across active markets, from initial project introduction through construction and operations.
  • Represent Nebius externally before local elected officials, planning boards, public town halls, and community open houses.
  • Identify risks early — political, regulatory, community — and develop mitigation strategies before they become blockers.
  • Support and guide Nebius's community investment programs, including local education and workforce initiatives.

• Work across the company

  • Partner closely with legal, infrastructure, communications, and marketing teams to coordinate messaging and stakeholder strategy around specific projects.
  • Translate complex policy and community dynamics into clear, actionable briefings for senior leadership.
  • Track political and regulatory developments across North American markets, surfacing issues and opportunities relevant to our build-out.

What Success Looks Like – Year One

• The field team is stable, well-managed, and operating with a consistent engagement approach across markets.
• Community trust is established in active markets, with permits and social operating license secured where needed.
• A repeatable community engagement playbook is in place and being used by the team.
• You've built the relationships internally to be an effective deputy — legal, infrastructure, and comms teams see you as a go-to partner.

We expect you to have:

• 7–10 years of public affairs, communications and/or community engagement work.
• Hands-on experience with developing infrastructure and engaging communities.
• Experience working in or alongside a fast-moving company or startup environment; comfortable with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Proven ability to manage a team and outside consultants.
• Data center, energy, or other large-scale infrastructure experience strongly preferred.

How you work:

• A relationship-builder: credible and comfortable in rooms with everyone from a neighbor to the Mayor, company executives, and project antagonists.
• A clear communicator: you translate complexity into crisp executive summaries and briefings that decision-makers can actually use.
• A self-starter that can independently work towards key objectives, set goals and achieve them.
• Collaborative across functions: you work naturally with legal, comms, and business teams rather than operating in a silo.
• Solutions-oriented: when you surface a problem, you bring a recommended path forward.