Microsoft is transforming, we are now a services and devices company. Would you like to use your extensive experience in politics and government affairs to drive change and make an impact? As a major player in the UK’s technology sector, influencing how people live and businesses operate, we are dependent on strong relationships with political decision makers and the Government. The Government & Corporate affairs team leverage Microsoft’s business assets and strengths to promote the reputation of Microsoft with political audiences and those who influence them. We protect Microsoft from a regulatory environment which would prevent us from growing our business in the UK.
The focus of this role is to contribute towards growing the Microsoft business in the UK by developing and implementing an effective Government Affairs strategy and aiding the delivery of our longer-term plan for the business in the UK.
This is an incredibly challenging & varied role including:
- Supporting Microsoft Ltd managers, Director of Corporate Affairs and Government Affairs Managers at meetings with politicians and influencers including Government officials, MPs & MEPs;
- Supporting the company’s representation at external meetings with trade associations and think tanks such as CBI, Tech UK, IPPR, Policy Exchange, UKIE, IAB, Advertising Association, Alliance for IP;
- Organising events to complement Microsoft business and policy priorities, including a Party Political Conference Programme;
- Preparing briefings for Microsoft Ltd managers and visiting Execs from Microsoft Corporation;
- Managing policy queries from internal sources and external audiences;
- Supporting the Head of Government Affairs and working closely with the Director of Corporate Affairs in following relevant policy and legislative initiatives and submitting Microsoft’s views on proposed legislation in consultation processes;
- Supporting the Head of Government Affairs and working closely with the Director of Corporate Affairs in driving the policy agenda relating to core policy issues of concern to Microsoft e.g. competition policy, standards, intellectual property, privacy and data protection, security, education and skills, public sector delivery and child online safety;
- Implementing an effective contact programme with policy decision makers and influencers;
- Representing the Government Affairs function at internal meetings within the Corporate Affairs team and with other Microsoft Legal and Corporate Affairs colleagues worldwide.
Key deliverables:
Ability to quickly understand Microsoft’s key policy areas, including technical policy. Take responsibility for specific areas of Government Affairs activity and deliver tangible results.
Quickly develop a clear understanding of how Government Affairs fits into the broader business and build close working relationships with colleagues in both UK and global Corporate Affairs, PR, and the broader UK business.
What we are looking for in you:
The successful candidate should already have strong demonstrable experience in a similar role. You will understand UK politics and policy development either from having worked for a UK political institution and/or in government affairs in a business, trade association or consultancy. A demonstrable insight into the policy and regulatory challenges faced by technology businesses operating in the UK today, would be an advantage.
Microsoft is a technology company, so passion for technology and insight into policy issues is a strong advantage. An understanding of Microsoft technologies would be also be helpful. We really need someone with an established network within the UK Parliament & those within Government departments is a strong advantage. This role will suit an outgoing person who has superb communication skills, high energy, a strong collaborator and someone who has is driven for success.