Community Engagement Lead - Stargate

OpenAI

4d

About The Position

The Community Engagement Lead will be the primary bridge between OpenAI and the communities where we develop data centers. This role ensures that OpenAI builds strong, trust-based relationships with local stakeholders, communicates proactively about our projects, and integrates community priorities into our development approach. The role spans engagement, communications, and reputation management.
As OpenAI scales the physical backbone of advanced AI, community acceptance and partnership are not optional; they are mission-critical. This role ensures that communities understand what we are building, why it matters, and how they can meaningfully benefit from it. The Community Engagement Lead will proactively shape dialogue, surface concerns before they escalate, and embed community priorities into how projects are planned, communicated, and delivered.
Operating at the intersection of development, communications, government affairs, and operations, this role owns community relationships end-to-end: from first introduction through construction and long-term operations. Success means reduced friction, stronger partnerships, and communities that see OpenAI not as a distant technology company, but as a responsible, long-term neighbor.

Requirements

• 6+ years in community affairs, public engagement, or corporate communications.
• Proven track record engaging diverse community stakeholders for large infrastructure or technology projects.
• Strong public speaking and facilitation skills in high-stakes environments.
• Ability to manage sensitive political and reputational issues.
• Experience integrating community benefits (workforce, education, infrastructure support) into development strategies.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with experience working across government, community, and corporate teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with local leaders, community organizations, NGOs, and residents.
• Develop and execute community engagement strategies for new and existing sites.
• Translate community feedback into actionable guidance to inform project decisions.
• Represent OpenAI in public forums, hearings, and community events.
• Support economic development on incentive compliance and community benefits.
• Partner with the Environmental Lead on communicating environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.
• Develop proactive communications to address concerns, highlight benefits, and reduce risk of opposition, including during site selection and pre-development phases.
• Monitor community sentiment and advise executives on risks and opportunities.
• Create a community engagement playbook that can scale across geographies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed