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Richmond, Virginia, United States
Onsite
As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.
Who You Are: (Job Summary)
The Senior Regulatory Compliance Specialist independently performs recurring regulatory-intelligence activities and advances the development of the electric reliability compliance program for QTS. The role monitors and interprets developments from NERC, FERC, Regional Entities, RTOs/ISOs, utilities, state utility commissions, and industry groups; represents QTS in assigned external forums; assesses potential impacts; and converts emerging requirements into clear recommendations and implementation actions. The position also leads development of compliance procedures, RSAWs, internal controls, SME training, evidence requirements, and audit-readiness materials for company-owned electrical infrastructure.
What You Will Do: (Job Responsibilities)
· Own assigned regulatory monitoring and standards-development coverage; evaluate emerging requirements, enforcement trends, tariffs, protocols, and utility activities affecting QTS data centers, large computational loads, interconnections, or company-owned electrical infrastructure.
· Represent QTS in assigned external meetings, workshops, committees, working groups, and stakeholder proceedings; prepare positions and briefing materials in coordination with the Senior Manager, and document decisions, deadlines, milestones, and commitments.
· Maintain the regulatory horizon, standards-development trackers, external-engagement records, and proposed-obligation register; prioritize material developments and recommend review or action.
· Perform preliminary applicability and impact assessments, coordinate detailed review with Legal and technical SMEs, and translate approved conclusions into implementation requirements for affected functions and assets.
· Prepare decision-ready regulatory updates, issue briefs, comment and ballot recommendations, impact assessments, action trackers, and leadership materials.
· Lead drafting and maintenance of RSAWs, NERC Compliance Procedures, evidence matrices, compliance narratives, process maps, controls, and implementation plans for review and approval.
· Design and deliver role-based training, workshops, job aids, and working sessions for SMEs, control owners, evidence providers, and affected personnel.
· Define and maintain obligations, controls, ownership, frequencies, due dates, evidence requirements, dependencies, and testing attributes in the Internal Controls database or GRC platform.
· Lead evidence-quality reviews, readiness assessments, self-assessments, mock audits, corrective-action tracking, and remediation follow-up; escalate ineffective or overdue controls and material program risks.
· Develop repeatable compliance processes and maintain organized, controlled, and auditable records that support sustained readiness and continuous improvement.
What You Will Need to Be Successful: (Required Qualifications, Education, Experience, Certifications)
· Bachelor's degree in engineering, power systems, energy, public policy, regulatory affairs, business, law, communications, information systems, risk, compliance, or a related field, or equivalent directly relevant experience.
· Minimum five years of progressive experience in the electric utility industry, regulatory compliance, energy policy, grid operations, transmission, generation, state utility commissions, data center infrastructure, government affairs, legal or regulatory support, or another closely related field.
· Experience interpreting complex regulatory or technical requirements, assessing organizational impacts, and producing clear recommendations for technical and leadership audiences.
· Experience developing compliance procedures, internal controls, training materials, audit work papers, evidence requirements, RSAWs, compliance narratives, or comparable controlled documentation.
· Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple proceedings, deadlines, stakeholders, and workstreams while exercising sound judgment and escalating material issues.
· Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and relationship-management skills; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and similar information-management tools.
· Ability to travel up to 25%, or as needed, for regulatory meetings, stakeholder forums, utility engagements, conferences, audits, and QTS site activities.
Nice to Have: (Preferred Qualifications, Education, Experience, Certifications)
· Direct experience with NERC, FERC, a Regional Entity, RTO/ISO, reliability coordinator, transmission provider, electric utility, state utility commission, registered entity, trade association, or energy-regulatory organization.
· Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, standards development, FERC rulemaking, Regional Entity compliance activities, or RTO/ISO stakeholder processes.
· Experience preparing regulatory comments or ballot positions and participating in technical conferences, standards drafting teams, committees, or industry working groups.
· Experience with GRC platforms, Internal Controls databases, RSAWs, NERC Compliance Procedures, evidence matrices, audit packages, compliance training, or readiness assessments.
· Knowledge of large-load interconnection, transmission planning, power-system modeling, protection and control, disturbance monitoring, operational communications, system operations, or data center electrical infrastructure.
Other Key Skills: (KSAs)
· Ability to independently identify significant regulatory developments, evaluate potential QTS impacts, and distinguish preliminary analysis from approved legal, technical, and management conclusions.
· Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical procedures, controls, ownership, evidence expectations, training, and implementation actions with accountable SMEs.
· Ability to produce concise executive and technical communications, facilitate cross-functional reviews, build consensus, and maintain credible external relationships.
· Ability to assess evidence quality, control effectiveness, documentation gaps, and audit readiness and recommend corrective action.
· Ability to manage confidential and time-sensitive matters, prioritize competing work, and deliver high-quality results in a rapidly evolving environment.
In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:
QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.
The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:
The pay transparency policy is available here:
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted
QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to talentacquisition@qtsdatacenters.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.