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About the Role

Microsoft's Corporate, External and Legal Affairs Department (CELA) is seeking a Director-level leader to advance the company's policy, advocacy, and external engagement priorities in Australia and New Zealand. This role involves shaping complex policy outcomes, advising senior executives, and building relationships across government, industry, and civil society, with a focus on technology policy issues like AI, digital infrastructure, cyber resilience, and the future of work.

Responsibilities

Shape and lead Microsoft’s engagement in technology-related policy discussions, including AI, digital infrastructure, cyber resilience, and the future of work.
Strengthen Microsoft’s relationships with government, intergovernmental organizations, academia, industry, and civil society.
Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of government and industry affairs activities.
Collaborate with CELA colleagues, sales teams, communications, legal, regulatory, and compliance specialists, and senior business leaders.
Advance policy objectives, manage strategic issues, and support digital transformation across Australia and New Zealand.
Lead the development and delivery of policy campaigns through strategic planning, evidence-based advocacy, stakeholder mapping, executive briefing, coalition-building, and coordinated engagement.
Drive clear communication across internal and external stakeholder groups.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across government, industry, civil society, and academia.
Represent Microsoft in senior external forums.
Prepare executive engagements and ensure follow-through on strategically important relationships and commitments.
Monitor policy, political, and regulatory developments and translate emerging trends into strategic advice for senior leaders.
Develop insights, maintain intelligence tools, and identify opportunities and risks.
Lead cross-team work on significant policy and corporate affairs issues.
Drive local implementation of global projects.
Contribute Australia and New Zealand perspectives into regional and global policy initiatives.
Advise on issues with reputational, regulatory, or commercial significance.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Communications, Economics, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field AND 10+ years of work experience in government affairs, public policy, parliamentary or ministerial offices, policy consultancy, communications, media, legal, regulatory, corporate affairs, or related area OR equivalent experience.
Experience leading complex public policy, advocacy, or government affairs initiatives involving multiple stakeholders across government, industry, and community sectors.
Experience developing policy positions, advocacy strategies, and executive-level recommendations on complex regulatory or public policy issues.
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior government officials, advisers, industry leaders, researchers, community stakeholders, and executive leaders.
Experience anticipating, analyzing, and influencing policy and regulatory developments, particularly on technology-related issues.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering executive-ready advice in fast-paced and ambiguous environments.
Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Communications, Economics, International Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field AND 15+ years of work experience in government affairs, public policy, parliamentary or ministerial offices, policy consultancy, communications, media, legal, regulatory, corporate affairs, or related area OR equivalent experience.

Skills

Public policy
Government affairs
Technology policy
AI
Digital infrastructure
Cyber resilience
Future of work
International affairs
Strategic influence
Stakeholder mapping
Executive briefing
Coalition-building
Cross-functional initiatives
Policy analysis
Regulatory analysis
Communication

Location

Australia
New Zealand

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Director-level
10+ years
15+ years

Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

About the Company

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.

Equal Opportunity

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.