Senior Director for Government Affairs

Microsoft · Washington · $132,200–$258,000 (stated in the posting)

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As Senior Director for Government Affairs, you will drive Microsoft's integrated U.S. policy strategy across digital safety and intellectual property policy, including AI fraud and consumer protection and kids’ online safety. You will also support Microsoft’s XBOX video game business in Washington, coordinating with our trade associations and other stakeholders on policy impacting the creative gaming jobs industry.  You will set priorities, anticipate emerging risks and lead advocacy that supports innovation, protects people and advances business objectives. This role combines strategic judgment with accountability for policy outcomes across a complex, interconnected portfolio. 

You will serve as a trusted adviser to senior executives, translating legislative and regulatory developments into clear business implications, trade-offs and recommendations. You will represent Microsoft with policymakers and coalition partners and lead cross-company alignment through influence. Working with federal, state, global and specialist teams, you will connect shared priorities  to shape and achieve workable policy and regulatory outcomes.  You will coordinate litigation-related policy with internal legal teams. 

Integrated strategy and policy outcomes 

• Own an integrated U.S. strategy across these portfolios, setting priorities and aligning legislative, regulatory, executive branch and association engagement.
• Anticipate policy and business risks, direct analysis and policy development, and align advocacy with Congressional Affairs and state teams.
• Advise executives on choices and trade-offs through concise briefings, testimony support and decision materials.
• Establish shared objectives and measures of progress, adapt strategy as conditions change, and be accountable for advocacy results. 

AI fraud and consumer protection 

• Lead U.S. advocacy for targeted, bipartisan and bicameral policy for fraudulent digital impersonationShape cross-industry AI fraud governance and drive implementation across prevention, cooperation, resilience and awareness. Build coalitions with consumer advocates, financial services, labor, law enforcement and civil society, with clear cross-team ownership. 

Digital safety  

• Shape U.S. policy priorities for federal child safety, with prioritized focus on AI companions and chatbots, age-appropriate design, ,safety by design and platform responsibility.
• Lead advocacy for safe participation and risk-based safeguards that also protect privacy and expression.
• Partner with Microsoft’s internal digital safety, privacy, AI, Gaming, LinkedIn, and GitHub partners  to advance frameworks and advocacy strategies to promote reasonable , regulation, and service scope.  

Gaming policy 

• Shape U.S. gaming policy strategy in partnership with XBOX, legal, communications, state, safety and trade teams.
• Align priorities and evidence-based advocacy on child safety, age assurance, gaming tax incentives and console tariffs consistent with broader trade objectives.
• Advise leaders on business implications and resolve cross-portfolio tensions through influence. 
• Guide Entertainment Software Association strategy and represent Microsoft in government affairs and industry engagement as designated. 

Intellectual property and innovation 

• Work across internal teams to coordinate U.S. IP policy advocacy on copyright and patent matters ranging from fair use and lawful AI data access, digital replicas, to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rulemaking and policies. Align legislative, executive branch, coalition and litigation-policy strategies with subject matter experts. Bring business and policy judgment to priorities and trade-offs in ways that design a healthy IP ecosystem. 

Partnerships and external engagement 

• Build trusted senior-level relationships with policymakers, industry associations, civil society and other stakeholders.
• Represent Microsoft in consequential policy discussions and convene coalitions around shared outcomes.
• Lead alignment across business, legal, product, engineering, policy and communications teams, reconciling competing priorities through influence. Use research, implementation evidence and stakeholder feedback to strengthen advocacy, assess impact and advise executives on emerging opportunities and risks.
• And, finally, coordinate external engagements, convenings, and industry reports in an effort to shape the policy conversation in dynamic regulatory and political environments 

Required/minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Technology, Law, Liberal Arts, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years work experience in leadership of complex U.S. legislative and regulatory campaigns, including setting strategy, coordinating federal and state engagement and delivering policy outcomes
  • OR equivalent experience.

Additional or preferred qualifications

• Strategic judgment in translating complex legal, technical and product issues into business implications, clear priorities and actionable advice for executives.
• Experience building trusted policymaker relationships, leading coalitions and aligning cross-company stakeholders around shared outcomes without relying on direct authority.
• Executive communication and external representation, with sound judgment on confidential information and a record of adapting strategy and holding advocacy efforts accountable for results.
• Depth in one or more portfolio areas: AI fraud and consumer protection, digital or child safety, gaming, or intellectual property policy, with the ability to lead an integrated agenda across related issues.
• Experience shaping bipartisan legislative strategies, model language or regulatory submissions in partnership with legal, technical, product and communications leaders.
• Experience leading trade association engagement, multi-stakeholder initiatives or voluntary industry commitments, including governance, implementation evidence and assessment of impact. 

Government Affairs IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $132,200 - $258,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,800 - $278,900 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

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.

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