Director, Community Engagement

Soluna is on a mission to solve one of renewable energy’s biggest challenges: wasted power. Our data centers convert excess solar, hydro, and wind energy into productive computational work , such as Bitcoin mining, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. By co-locating with renewable power sources, we bring demand directly to the source, helping power plants increase revenue while contributing more megawatts to the grid. We are looking for a Community Engagement Manager to join our world-class team. Project Kati — our 166 MW flagship campus in Willacy County — is one of the largest dual-purpose clean computing facilities in Texas, developed in partnership with EDF Renewables, Masdar, and Spring Lane Capital. As we scale this facility and advance additional South Texas projects, we are building the local team needed to ensure we are responsible, trusted neighbors in the communities where we operate. About the Role The Community Engagement Manager will serve as Soluna's primary relationship owner and local presence in South Texas, representing the company to residents, local government, civic organizations, school districts, workforce partners, and media. This is a highly visible, externally facing role that requires equal parts relationship-builder, communicator, and problem-solver. You will build the community engagement function at Project Kati from the ground up — establishing the programs, partnerships, and trust that define how Soluna shows up in Willacy County and the broader Rio Grande Valley. Successful candidates understand both the promise and the scrutiny that large-scale industrial development brings to rural communities. You will be proactive, visible, and deeply embedded in the region — a community-first advocate who can confidently represent Soluna's mission around clean energy, job creation, and economic development. What You'll Do Stakeholder Relations & Government Affairs Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for local elected officials, county commissioners, school boards, and municipal leaders in Willacy County and surrounding communities Represent Soluna at public hearings, town halls, community forums, and regulatory proceedings Proactively identify and address community concerns related to site operations, noise, traffic, water use, workforce, and grid impacts Support leadership on permitting, land use, and ERCOT-related community communications as Project Kati and future South Texas projects advance Community Programs & Partnerships Design and manage Soluna's local investment strategy, including workforce development, education sponsorships, economic development partnerships, and civic initiatives Build and maintain partnerships with workforce development organizations, community colleges, and trade programs to create local hiring pipelines Identify and steward charitable giving, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities that align with Soluna's mission and build goodwill in the region Coordinate Soluna's local presence at events, fairs, and civic gatherings Communications & External Affairs Develop and execute a local communications strategy, including regular community newsletters, social media presence, and site-level fact sheets Serve as a spokesperson for Project Kati with local and regional media; field press inquiries in coordination with the Marketing team Translate technical and operational details (renewable energy, ERCOT interconnection, mining operations) into plain-language narratives for general audiences Coordinate with the Marketing team on external storytelling, press releases, and community-facing content Internal Coordination Act as the internal voice of the community at Soluna — surfacing feedback, flagging concerns, and informing site operations, HR, and leadership of relevant local dynamics Partner with Site Operations, People, and Legal teams on local hiring, safety communications, and honoring the company’s community relationships and commitments Maintain a stakeholder map and engagement log; track sentiment and report on community KPIs to leadership quarterly What you need to get the job done Required Experience in sales, marketing, research, community relations, government affairs, public affairs, economic development, or a closely related field. Demonstrated track record managing stakeholder relationships in the context of large-scale industrial, energy, or infrastructure projects Experience working directly with elected officials, county or municipal government bodies, or regulatory agencies Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; confident public speaker Spanish language proficiency (spoken and written), as the role requires regular spoken and written communication with Spanish-speaking stakeholders Ability to work on-site in South Texas with regular travel throughout the region Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, political science, environmental studies, or a related field; equivalent experience considered Preferred Prior experience with data center, energy, utility, or mining/extraction industries — particularly in rural Texas communities Familiarity with ERCOT, Texas grid policy, and the renewable energy landscape Existing relationships in Willacy County, Hidalgo County, or the broader Rio Grande Valley Experience managing community investment programs, local giving portfolios, or workforce partnerships Master's degree in public policy, business administration, or a related field We are a diverse, driven team of entrepreneurs, energy experts, private equity leaders, storytellers and engineers. We are passionate about making the world greener and we have conviction about how we will bring change on a global scale. We are equally as zealous about championing our teams, relentless about developing our people, and believe strongly that Soluna’s goals and commitment to our mission are strengthened by our employee’s voices. #J-18808-Ljbffr Soluna