Senior Manager Government Affairs

Are you interested in working for a company that is empowering every person and organisation in New Zealand to achieve more? Do you enjoy working at the intersection of technology, policy, and regulation? Does the thought of helping shape New Zealand’s economic and societal potential through the adoption of cloud and AI technologies excite you? If so, Microsoft’s Corporate External and Legal Affairs Department (CELA) is looking for an experienced professional to join our team.

**Responsibilities**:
The position will focus on:

- **Public policy advocacy**:Drive outreach and engagement on a wide range of technology-related public policy issues, including AI, cloud, privacy, cybersecurity, cross-border data flow, Internet safety, procurement, trade and telecommunications. This will require working directly with government as well as industry, academia, media, and civil society constituencies. This work will mainly focus on New Zealand decision makers, but also engage with regional and global organisation in which New Zealand participates actively.
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Working with the Public Sector business**:Collaborate with Microsoft’s Public Sector business in New Zealand, by listening to the needs of our government customers and creating a policy environment that enables their aspirations and our business objectives. This role will offer essential support on digital transformation projects in the public sector, helping the team to secure the right support and partnerships that may be required, and establish and enhance relationships across the government**.**
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Corporate and community affairs**: As Microsoft grows its presence in the country with a datacenter investment, this role will anticipate and manage, in partnership with other relevant corporate functions, any emerging issues related to Microsoft's corporate operations in the country. This role will advise the relevant regional and global teams on any specific/new compliance needs and assist Microsoft with understanding and addressing them.

Specific responsibilities relating to these three broad areas may include:

- Engage in strategic outreach and campaign execution with the aim of shaping policy and enhancing Microsoft’s role in technology and economic development in the country. This includes working across the company and the local industry and collaborating with other CELA teams across the region to align resources.
- Working with the Public Sector team to learn about the government technology goals and challenges and develop effective and lasting solutions to overcome barriers and deliver for our government customers. This involves building solid relationships between Microsoft and the government, and making sure that our programs are customized to suit government needs and priorities.
- Collaborating closely with Microsoft’s public relations team to create successful internal and external communications plans. This involves producing content - such as collateral, on-line resources, and events - that can be quickly used by internal stakeholders and/or shared directly with external audiences.
- Taking part in public policy discussions in different contexts to advocate for Microsoft's and the industry's views on relevant issues. This includes being a prominent spokesperson for Microsoft in developing and enhancing the company's ties with industry partners, trade groups, advocacy groups, international organizations, and industry alliances.
- Working with experts from inside and outside the company, as needed, to help understand and resolve legal and regulatory issues that affect Microsoft’s business strategy. Building stronger connections with top scholars who study public policy, law, and regulations.
- Working with others to help the company’s social impact projects, such as promoting diversity efforts for Māori and Pasifika and demonstrating how technology can enhance inclusion and opportunities for underserved communities.

**Qualifications**:
We are seeking someone with at least 10 years of work experience as a government affairs, public affairs, or public policy specialist in government, multilateral organization, consultancy, industry association, policy-focused research institution, or a law firm.

They should have a proven ability and skills to design, analyze, develop, and implement medium-to-long term strategies and campaigns to deal with complex issues of technology, policy and law, involving multiple issues and players. They will be great communicators with strong organisation and leadership credentials, and able to work efficiently and at a self-directed pace.

A bachelor's and preferably advanced degree in public policy, political science, law, or another relevant field.