Director Government Affairs

Director Government Affairs

Overview

Microsoft’s Government Affairs team in Germany serves as the company’s primary interface with government institutions and political key stakeholders. Operating at the intersection of technology, policy, geopolitics, and business, the team advances Microsoft’s public policy objectives by fostering trusted relationships and promoting policies that strengthen Germany’s competitiveness, innovation, resilience, and digital transformation. The team engages on a broad range of issues including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, competition, trade, digital infrastructure, and technological sovereignty.

As companies navigate an increasingly complex political and regulatory environment, effective engagement with the regulatory institutions is critical to Microsoft’s success. Policy-making is increasingly shaped through cross-institutional dynamics, requiring sophisticated stakeholder engagement, political intelligence, and the ability to build trusted relationships across party lines and institutions.

The team is seeking a Director Government Affairs to strengthen Microsoft’s engagement with the government, by providing strategic political counsel, facilitating senior-level access, and advancing relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.

Please note: This role is an individual contributor

Responsibilities

Strategic Political Engagement

• Identify and address political developments, institutional dynamics, and stakeholder engagement strategies across regulatory institutions
• Provide political intelligence and strategic recommendations regarding key legislative, regulatory, and geopolitical developments.
• Support the design and execution of engagement plans targeting priority policy-makers and influencers.

Institutional Strategy and Political Counsel

• Advise on key stakeholders, coalition-building strategies, and approaches to influence across the legislative process.
• Help anticipate emerging political trends, institutional priorities, and stakeholder concerns that could impact Microsoft’s business and policy objectives.
• Support the implementation of strategies focused on digital resilience, to alleviate concerns about tech sovereignty and strengthen Microsoft’s role as a partner.

Executive Engagement

• Advise on messaging to prepare and support senior Microsoft executives for meetings with policy-makers and political leaders.
• Contribute to the development of strategic messaging, briefing materials, stakeholder profiles, and engagement plans.
• Provide insights on protocol, institutional expectations, and political considerations for high-level engagements.
• Support executive participation in major political, policy, and geopolitical events

Internal Collaboration & Coordination

• Lead the team on policy and regulatory strategy, working closely with the Head of Government Affairs Germany / Austria
• Partner closely with other Microsoft policy leads, country government affairs teams, communications, legal, business, and corporate strategy teams.
• Develop creative strategies to strengthen Microsoft’s role as a partner, collaborating  with colleagues in European capitals.
• Share political insights and stakeholder intelligence that strengthens advocacy efforts across the region.
• Contribute to strategic planning and prioritization efforts within the Government Affairs team.

#CELA

Government Affairs IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across Germany is € 130,200.00 - € 222,000.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/germany-corporate-pay.html

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.