Microsoft Looking For Director, Government Affairs & Policy at Gurgaon, Haryana, Full Time

The Microsoft India’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) Department has an opening for a seasoned and experienced government affairs and policy professional in Microsoft India’s government & industry affairs function to help the company drive thought leadership and advocacy in the areas of regulatory and policy making and technology innovation ecosystem, public and private policy & regulatory stakeholders engagement, alignment and representations, and manage regulatory roadmap and 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.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strong 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 company’s strategic priorities and goals.
• Anticipate and interpret 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 specially around cybersecurity, datacenters & cloud.
• Engage with Microsoft global and regional policy teams to develop and implement the India specific public 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 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.
• Closely collaborate with the Public Sector team to support them with building long term strategic business opportunities with government, both centre and states, and govt owned entities.
• 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:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Admin, or related field AND 5+ years work experience in Government Affairs, Corporate Affairs, Public Policy, or Government OR 8+ years work experience in Government Affairs, Corporate Affairs, or Public Policy.
• Experience in Core Technology Policy Regulations and Law addressing areas such as Cloud /AI / Data/Privacy/IT Act.
• 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.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills, written and oral, including public speaking skills.
• 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. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.