Head of Government Affairs

THE COMPANY

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental's tire division employs more than 56,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites. 

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

SG 13

This position is eligible to be remote-based, the preference for this candidate is to be located in South Carolina.

About the Role
We are seeking a strategic and highly experienced Head of Government Affairs to Lead and Execute the company’s government affairs strategy across North America, advancing business priorities and ensuring alignment with environmental, regulatory, and legislative requirements.

Align internal stakeholders and external partners to shape policy outcomes, manage risk, and support broader business objectives. You will serve as a liaison between the company and government entities (State & Federal), Industry associations, and key stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

• Drive development and implementation of corporate public policy through strategic partnerships with U.S. federal, state, provincial, and local governments (as applicable), as well as relevant industry and trade groups, in alignment with company objectives.
• Serve as the company’s primary contact for legislative and public policy matters in North America. Build and maintain relationships with key government officials, regulators, and industry leaders to promote and protect the company’s interests.
• Prepare policy briefings and executive updates, and coordinate (or draft) testimony and supporting materials for pending legislative and regulatory actions.
• Provide thought leadership and recommendations that connect strategic and operational priorities with policy positions and advocacy plans.
• Ensure appropriate company participation in government forums and industry meetings.
• Manage external regulatory and legislative consultants to support monitoring, rulemaking engagement, comments/submissions, and lobbying activities where permitted.
• Maintain required local, state, and federal reporting and compliance obligations related to government relations activities. 

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in public policy, political science, law, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, or related roles
• Experience engaging with U.S. federal and state governments (and Canadian provincial governments as applicable), including advocacy within the private or public sector
• Experience in the transportation, automotive, manufacturing, or industrial technology sectors
• Exceptional communication (written and verbal) & presentation skills 
• Strong negotiation, networking and influencing abilities
• Executive-level planning, structure and organization 
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Relationship-building and interpersonal effectiveness
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
• Internal qualified candidates will meet internal guidelines for this executive level role:
  • 18+ months experience of leading people and/or projects
  • ACfEL must be complete before a promotion to SG 13/14
• Legal authorization to work in the US is required. Continental is able to offer visa support for individuals who currently hold an existing valid employment visa.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT

• Law Degree

THE PERKS

• Immediate Benefits 
• Robust Total Rewards Package
• Paid Time Off
• Volunteer Time Off
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Discounts, including tire discounts
• Competitive Bonus Programs
• Employes 401k Match
• Diverse & Inclusive Work Environment with 20+ Employee Resource groups.
• Hybrid Work 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Future Growth Opportunities, including personal and professional
• And many more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

EEO-Statement:

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [email protected] or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

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