Job Description

The Microsoft India’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) Department has an opening for a seasoned and experienced Tech Policy Specialist in Microsoft India’s government & public policy function. The role requires the candidate to have a deep understanding of Tech Policy areas across Cloud, AI, Data, Privacy, Law Enforcement Access as well as the ability to understand Government Policy and Regulatory making process and Challenges. The individual will need to help the company drive thought leadership and advocacy in the areas of regulatory and policy making, build clear narratives and representations of Microsoft’s Point of View as well as manage, mitigate regulatory blockers to support the company’s technology platforms, business, customers, partners, and communities. This role will involve monitoring the global government and industry dialogue, trends, initiatives, policy developments etc. into an actionable agenda for the company and its leaders, and to influence opportunities and mitigate risks.

Responsibilities

• Develop a stron understanding for the Microsoft India business including its people, operations and external operating environment and help formulate an overall Government Affairs, Industry Affairs & Policy Strategy that is aligned to the companie’s strategic priorities and goals
• Anticipate and interpret Technology policy changes and implications to the company; develop and implement strategic advocacy plan to favorably influence such policies and to pre-empt adverse policy and regulatory changes.

• Anticipate and interpret Technology policy changes and implications to the company; develop and implement strategic advocacy plan to favorably influence such policies and to pre-empt adverse policy and regulatory changes.
• Engage with Microsoft global and regional Tech policy teams to develop and implement the India specific Tech policy and regulatory strategy.
• Develop, drive and sustain the Government’s outreach and advocacy engagement plan with strong submissions and representations and related industry advocacy coordination efforts to represent Microsoft’s position and thought leadership.
• Develop sustainable and creditable professional relationship with relevant Technology policy makers, regulators, government think-tanks, key government ministries and departments.
• Build and expand stakeholder mapping and engagement with non-line ministries and states to define Microsoft’s leadership, reinforce our trust focus and support adoption of technology.
• Develop good and trusted relationship with senior management of government and quasi-governmental organizations in the IT & ITeS Industry and related sectors.
• Drive, participate and lead Microsoft’s external engagements in trade bodies, committees, working groups to ensure positioning of Microsoft point of view and enable thought leadership and positively change the public perception of global technology corporations.
• Engage with Academia to build partnerships/ research opportunities that reinforce technology usage , ethics in AI and thus reinforce global best practices in Government Policy discussions.
• Identifying new and emerging legal and regulatory issues that may affect Microsoft’s businesses in the region. Coordinating with internal and external legal and non-legal expert resources, as necessary, to help analyze and address such issues in the implementation of the company’s business strategy.
• Work closely with internal departments to support dissemination of the societal contributions of the company and strengthen relationship with external influencers to build a positive image.
• This role will require both domestic and international travel.

Qualifications

Professional Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 12-15 years of government affairs and public policy experience in India, preferably in the IT/ Software industry with the recent 3 to 5 years in the senior manager role.
• Experience in Core Technology Policy Regulations and Law addressing areas such as Cloud /AI / Data/Privacy/IT Act.
• Ability to interpret regulations / law define impact on Microsoft and its solutions, build relevant narratives to drive advocacy with law makers.
• A bachelor’s degree with academic excellence in science or international policy or economics, or law from a reputed institution. Master’s degree from a reputed institute would be a plus.
• Good knowledge of cloud technologies and technologies related to big-data, AI & Machine Learning, Data Privacy & Security, Blockchain, Encryption and related policy & regulatory issues.
• Strong and proven government & industry affairs and public policy experience in managing relationship with the Indian Government and engaging/influencing policy makers and regulators. Existing relationship with key Ministries.
• Strong grasp of the latest national and international policy and regulatory issues and the geo-political-technological trends, threats and opportunities.

Soft Skills:

• Strong communication skills, written and oral, including public speaking skills.
• Excellent relationship building and interpersonal skills; has good emotional quotient in resolving conflicts, stakeholders’ management.
• Ability to perform in a highly matrixed organization and deal with ambiguity in a fast-changing technology innovation and digitally transforming world.
• Strategic thinker in issues management and creating opportunities for engagement.
• Has an entrepreneurial mindset, ability to work independently in driving the various projects, working closely with various cross functional committee members to drive change.
• Able to generate ideas and think creatively, yet work with detailed information
• Good project management skill – able to multiple tasks simultaneously, and organize and prioritize work under pressure, and take decisions.
• Possesses high level of energy and strong skills on teamwork, cross-group collaborations, networking and leveraging virtual engagements.
• Must possess and have the passion to always act with the highest standards of ethics and integrity and be an advocate for a diversity and inclusive work environment.

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. 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.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.