Director/Senior Director, U.S. Government Affairs

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Title: Director/Senior Director, U.S. Government Affairs

Location: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, USA

Purpose and Objectives

SAP’s Government Affairs division carries out the advocacy and lobbying efforts in markets where it does business. The U.S. Government Affairs Team is part of the SAP Global Government Affairs Department, which positions SAP and our leaders before influential government audiences on select, highly relevant topics and supports SAP´s business objectives. Our core priorities include public policy and business support.

Expectations and Tasks

Basic Responsibility: The individual SAP seeks must have an in-depth understanding of the U.S. legislative and regulatory process, including extensive knowledge of the substantive public policy and business issues affecting the world’s leading provider of business software solutions. They must appreciate and be sensitive to working within the context of an innovative, fast-paced, sales-oriented company. The individual will be required to develop and manage a strategic plan for successfully achieving specific results favorable to the company’s interests.

The Director/Senior Director of U.S. Government Affairs will report to the Vice President & Head of U.S. Government Affairs, who will work with this individual to develop policy and political strategy on a range of legislative and regulatory issues. They will manage SAP’s interaction with the Federal government on issues including but not limited to privacy, cybersecurity, and appropriations. They will be responsible for the strategic development and management of selective federal legislative and regulatory issues and programs.

The Director/Senior Director will develop a strategy to strengthen SAP’s position with Members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, as well as with U.S. Administration officials. The successful candidate will engage on policy issues before the following committees and agencies:

• Senate: Commerce Science and Transportation; Judiciary; Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
• House: Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Homeland Security; Government Reform.
• Joint Committee: Select Committee on Intelligence.
• Administration: Department of Commerce; Federal Trade Commission; Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice.

The Senior Director will work to further SAP’s workforce, cybersecurity, appropriations, cloud security, and other IT modernization efforts by aligning with internal business units and assisting with political outreach. They will also engage with think tanks and third-party relationships to Members of Congress and Administration officials involved in setting software and business policy. These efforts will advance SAP’s overall Global Corporate Affairs objectives, support SAP’s customers, and improve SAP’s significant position in the world.

Specific Responsibilities

The Director/Senior Director, U.S. Government Affairs, will be responsible for:

• Enhancing the SAP America Washington, D.C. office by assisting in the development of the Government Affairs practice.
• Designing plans for government outreach and thought leadership by providing analysis of emerging or existing legislative public policy issues impacting the company.
• Gathering intelligence and assisting in the preparation of position papers, policy briefings, presentations, and other materials related to government actions.
• Developing and implementing legislative and regulatory agendas on matters relating to cybersecurity and privacy issues of interest and concern to SAP, both domestically and internationally.
• Increasing SAP’s visibility and presence on Capitol Hill and with the White House.
• Working on complex issues where analysis of situations requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors and seeking to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways.
• Clearly identifying and communicating corporate positions and objectives.
• Collaborating internally with relevant stakeholders and networking with key contacts outside their area of expertise.
• Evaluating pending legislation and regulations that may impact SAP, in close consultation with the Vice President, Head of U.S. Government Affairs, to develop recommendations and prepare communications for senior management.
• Developing and maintaining SAP America PAC.
• Advocating public policy positions on cybersecurity, workforce, appropriations, cloud security, and other IT modernization issues before government officials and other stakeholders.
• Advising internal stakeholders on the impact of public policy, procedures, issues, and matters under negotiation.

Education and Qualifications / Skills and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

Work Experience

The successful candidate will have a minimum of ten years of experience as a government relations executive, Congressional staffer, or as a senior public servant in a relevant government agency, department, or business.

Previous experience and qualifications should include:

• A thorough understanding of the U.S. legislative process.
• Expertise in policy areas of workforce, cybersecurity, cloud security, appropriations, or government IT modernization.
• Experience advocating before Congress and/or the Executive Branch on behalf of corporations or trade associations.
• Established relationships on Capitol Hill as well as with key Executive Branch agencies.
• The ability to persuasively communicate complex concepts at the highest level of government.
• A track record of achievement in advancing important issues through the legislative process.

Personal Characteristics

The Director/Senior Director, U.S. Government Affairs, will have:

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proven creative problem-solving history.
• Outstanding leadership and professional presence.
• Highly motivated self-starter, results-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong political skills, including knowledge of political campaigns and fundraising.
• Superior analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• A strong record of reliability and ethical conduct.

Bring Out Your Best

SAP innovations help more than 400,000 customers worldwide work together more efficiently. As a cloud company with over 200 million users and more than 100,000 employees, we are purpose-driven and future-focused. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We Win with Inclusion

SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone feels included and can run at their best. We are committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provide accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you need assistance, please contact our Recruiting Operations Team: [email protected].

Compensation Range Transparency

SAP believes in pay transparency as part of our commitment to pay equity. The targeted range for this position is $141,800–$323,900 (USD). Benefits and eligibility details can be found here: SAP North America Benefits.

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or disability.

Learn more here