Principal Program Manager & Chief of Staff, Policy and Public Affairs

Role Description

The Senior Program Manager / Chief of Staff will serve as the operational and strategic backbone of Beale's Public Policy & Public Affairs team. This role partners directly with the SVP of Policy & Public Affairs to drive team priorities, lead major cross-functional initiatives, and ensure seamless coordination across policy, public affairs, communications, and community engagement functions.

This is an equal parts strategic and executional role — you'll be a trusted thought partner to the SVP while building and running the systems that make the team faster, more aligned, and more effective. You understand how complex public approval processes work, how to manage diverse internal and external stakeholders, and how to keep high-stakes workstreams on track in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Chief of Staff & Team Operations
  • Serve as a force multiplier for the SVP of Policy & Public Affairs — managing priorities, preparing for key meetings and executive engagements, and ensuring decisions are made and followed through on.
  • Own the team's operating rhythm: weekly staff meetings, quarterly planning, annual goal-setting, and cross-functional syncs across Development, PR, Legal, and Community teams.
  • Track and drive progress on the team's OKRs and strategic priorities; surface blockers early and facilitate tradeoff decisions.
  • Prepare briefings, talking points, and materials for executive and Board-level audiences on policy, regulatory, and community engagement matters.
  • Manage and continuously improve internal processes, tools, and workflows across the policy and public affairs function.
• Strategic Program Management
  • Lead end-to-end program management for major policy and public affairs initiatives — from strategy through execution and measurement.
  • Develop and maintain strategic roadmaps and project plans that support business objectives and enhance project success across Beale's portfolio of data center developments.
  • Coordinate across Development, PR, Economic Development, and Legal teams to ensure policy and public affairs work is well-integrated and properly sequenced with project timelines.
  • Identify gaps between strategy and execution across the portfolio and develop plans to close them.
• Policy & Public Engagement Support
  • Support the development of comprehensive presentations and communications plans for local and state government approvals, including coordination with third-party economic development incentive advisors.
  • Maintain policy trackers, regulatory landscape analyses, and stakeholder maps to keep the team proactive and informed across active markets.
  • Help cultivate and maintain relationships with government officials, industry associations, and community leaders in partnership with regional leads.
  • Collaborate with internal Marketing and Communications teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment on key initiatives across Beale's markets.
• People, Budget & Culture
  • Help onboard new team members and build a strong, cohesive team culture across a geographically distributed group.
  • Manage team budget, headcount planning, and vendor/consultant relationships in partnership with Finance and HR.
  • Identify and coordinate speaking opportunities and executive thought leadership platforms for the SVP and senior team members.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in economic development, public affairs, government relations, strategic operations, or a combination; significant experience in the technology, infrastructure, or real estate development sectors strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success running complex, multi-stakeholder programs from inception to completion in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of public policy processes and regulatory environments, particularly those relevant to data center development, digital infrastructure, or large-scale land use approvals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills — including the ability to simplify complex information for diverse audiences, from local government officials to company executives.
• Strong judgment about when to move fast and when to slow down for alignment; comfort operating with significant autonomy in ambiguous situations.
• Experience supporting or partnering directly with senior leaders; ability to operate as a trusted thought partner while managing up effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience leading public policy, economic development or public affairs teams within an infrastructure company, technology company or government agency.
• Knowledge of state and local economic development incentives and their applicability to data centers or digital infrastructure.
• Experience managing external agencies, consultants, and third-party advisors.
• Understanding of hyperscale data center companies or digital infrastructure markets.

What Success Looks Like in Year One

• The team's operating rhythm is running smoothly, and the SVP spends less time on coordination overhead and more time on high-value external engagement.
• Two or more major cross-functional policy or public approval workstreams have been delivered on time and with strong stakeholder alignment.
• You're a trusted partner to the SVP and a go-to resource for the broader Policy & Public Affairs team.
• You've identified and improved at least one significant process or workflow that makes the team faster or more effective across Beale's project portfolio.

Total Compensation Range

$260,000 - $300,000 (+ annual performance bonus). Beale offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. Individual salaries within our ranges are determined through a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.