Government Affairs Lead - MEA HQ at Microsoft

Job number: 887593

Job Summary

• Microsoft has an immediate opportunity for highly-skilled, experienced government affairs professional to join the Middle East & Africa Headquarters (MEA HQ) team as the Regional Government Affairs Lead.
• The successful candidate will report to the Assistant General Counsel and Head of Legal & Government Affairs for MEA HQ.

Responsibilities

• Strategy/Program Management - You develop strategic goals and execute corporate public policy agenda and/or programs, creating and managing matrixed, highly complex project timelines, budgets, and plans; you are a subject matter expert and assess regulatory and/or legislative impact on Microsoft's goals and objectives; you develop and gather an intelligence network of data and relationship interactions.
• Program Development - You shape Microsoft's policy agenda to address complex governmental issues/affairs and business priorities, and develop and/or recommend highly impactful solutions for advancing the agenda while managing risks and consequences; you develop processes to facilitate program outreach and execution, assessing the feasibility of extending the program to advance Microsoft's policy and/or political agenda.
• Issue Resolution - You advise on and respond to key strategic issues, recommending prioritized actions, ensuring alignment with stakeholder positions, and escalating matters, as appropriate.
• External Relationships - You develop and influence partnerships with coalitions, the Public Sector, and relevant interests groups to achieve desired regulatory and/or legislative outcomes; you lead the implementation of improvements to initiatives based on community and stakeholder feedback; you establish Microsoft's reputation as a globally trusted provider of technology and you assist in navigating and minimizing roadblocks.
• Internal Collaboration - You advocate for and manage policy issues and lead Microsoft's engagement with internal stakeholders related to government affairs; you support senior stakeholders by regularly counselling on public policy, geo-political topics and/or cultural context; you provide direction to teammates and you act as a project lead across countries and teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Business Acumen - The ability to understand the parts of the business and their interrelationships. This includes skill in understanding the industry, competition, and expected future developments and challenges, the business's competitive strengths and weaknesses, opportunities to grow the business and reduce operating costs; and awareness of the environment for opportunities.
• Detail Oriented - The ability to attend to and verify the accuracy and completeness of detailed information in documents, on the computer, and/or in other work products. This includes being able to code, file, compile, transcribe, classify, and/or track details from a variety of different sources/problems/issues.
• Cross-Cultural Skills - The ability to conduct business in multiple cultures. This includes the ability to recognize and adapt to cultural differences in work and communication styles across regions or countries.
• Relationship Management - The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with supervisors, staff, managers, customers, and vendors. This includes expressing empathy and compassion when dealing with the needs and problems of others, being approachable, taking time to address the concerns of coworkers, and treating others with respect and dignity.
• Legal And Regulatory Requirements - Knowledge of the rules, regulations, sanctions and other statutory requirements, guidelines, and instructions relating to governing bodies and organizations, both internally and externally.
• Political Advocacy, Lobbying and Engagement - Knowledge of public opinion and organized engagement to influence the political process. This includes skill in writing political communication materials and lobbying to compel or persuade key constituencies and elected officials to take action on behalf of the company. This may include regionally specific political knowledge and lobbying skill.
• Technology Policy - The ability to understand, anticipate, and forecast the impact of technology on policy. This includes knowledge and awareness of technology concepts, evolution, innovation, and internal and external technological advancements and trends; and of policy related to technology, including Cloud, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, devices, accessibility, privacy, telecommunications, and internet topics.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government OR Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field with 4+ years experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government
• Significant policy development or government affairs experience in the legal department of an international company, business, trade association, consultancy, or multilateral organization (or similar experience in an international law firm).
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills in English.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years experience in developing and managing strategic relationships to advocate and influence public/technology policy priorities
• Familiarity with policy and regulatory challenges facing the technology industry, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.