Microsoft’s Congressional Affairs team is expanding. This new Washington, DC-based position helps lead Microsoft’s public policy engagement with Democratic Members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives. This position will report to the Senior Director of Congressional Affairs for House Democrats and closely collaborate with Microsoft’s Congressional Affairs and U.S. Government Affairs teams.

This position will play a role in shaping the company’s advocacy agenda on Capitol Hill and is responsible for the development and execution of strategies necessary to achieve these goals in close coordination with the Senior Director of Congressional Affairs. The position works closely with company executives and collaborates with colleagues primarily in the U.S. Government Affairs (USGA), Corporate External Legal Affairs (CELA), and U.S. Public Sector (USPS) organizations. The Director also represents Microsoft in discussions with policymakers, including Members of Congress, congressional staff, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

The Director of Congressional Affairs will be responsible for developing a range of strategies and executing those on Capitol Hill in coordination with the Senior Director of Congressional Affairs as follows:

Strategy:

Advocates for, and manages, policy issues (e.g., social, political, technical), and helps lead the company’s external engagement in the U.S. House with senior internal stakeholders on priority issues, strategies, and/or initiatives.

Contributes to, and develops, Microsoft’s policy agenda and/or advocacy strategies to advance priorities in the U.S. House.

Responds to key strategic issues and recommends well thought-out actions by prioritizing, ensuring alignment with stakeholder positions, leveraging specialists, or escalating matters.

Manages affairs in rapidly changing and ambiguous political, policy, and industry environments.

Develops highly creative strategies to advance multiple legislative objectives and projects simultaneously, while managing risks and consequences; delivers materials (e.g., strategy, policy briefings, other documentation) to internal stakeholders.

Legislative Expertise:

Helps respond to Congressional inquiries and supervises the preparation of Microsoft executives who engage Congress.

Establishes an intelligence network, gathers information, and analyzes external/internal data and relationship interactions, and shares internal and external intelligence findings in support of Microsoft’s objectives.

Provides counseling on public policy and/or geo-political or cultural topics to related to specific product development or business plans.

Serves as a strategic partner to the Public Sector and other key business leads by supporting sales and market opportunities, building Microsoft's reputation as a globally trusted provider of technology, and assisting in navigating, minimizing, or removing roadblocks to drive business results.

External Relationships:

Builds and maintains a strong, ongoing network in the U.S. House with Members of Congress, congressional staff, committees, and caucuses to advance Microsoft's public policy agenda.

Engage non-governmental stakeholders to align interests to significantly advance Microsoft's objectives in key priority areas; builds strategic relationships that position Microsoft as a key trusted advisor.

Representing Microsoft:

Participates in internal/external events and is active with driving social media engagement on key issues; supports executive engagement and participation in events with Members of Congress or their staff.

Directs political strategies, provides strategic vision, and develops communication framework and/or messaging in partnership with Communications team for Microsoft by implementing strategies across diverse stakeholders.

Internal Collaboration:

Acts as a legislative and political subject matter expert for large, critical projects, and may provide direction to teammates or a cross-functional project team.

Manages internal resources and external consultants.

Collaborates with, and influences, senior-level internal stakeholders and subject matter experts within and outside of Government Affairs to ensure a mutual understanding and alignment of objectives, priorities, and resources.

Other:

Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field AND 4+ years experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government.

OR 6+ years experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government.

Minimum 5-10 years of demonstrated, successful work experience with Democrats in the U.S. House (or firms or organizations working directly with House Democrats).

A track record of delivering results in developing and implementing legislative advocacy programs in the House.

Experience in project management, relationship building, organizational, and coalition-building skills, including demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

Experience managing resources on legislative or public policy-related initiatives.

Ability to travel Domestically including on some weekends; and the ability to spend a significant time outside the office to meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff in a variety of public settings on Capitol Hill.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years experience in developing and managing strategic relationships to advocate and influence public/technology policy priorities.

Eagerness to understand and explain complex technical concepts and their policy implications.

Self-starter with an ability to collaborate seamlessly, lead and motivate others, embrace big challenges, learn new topics, and coordinate effectively across teams.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

#CELA

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

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