Overview
European Government Affairs – Political Affairs Director
Overview
Microsoft’s European Government Affairs (EGA) team serves as the company’s primary interface with the European institutions, national governments, and key stakeholders across the region. Operating at the intersection of technology, policy, geopolitics, and business, EGA advances Microsoft’s public policy objectives by fostering trusted relationships and promoting policies that strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, resilience, and digital transformation. The team engages on a broad range of issues including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, competition, trade, digital infrastructure, and technology sovereignty.
As Europe navigates an increasingly complex political and regulatory environment, effective engagement with the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union is critical to Microsoft’s success. Policymaking is increasingly shaped through cross-institutional dynamics, requiring sophisticated stakeholder engagement, political intelligence, and the ability to build trusted relationships across party lines, institutions, and Member States.
The EGA team in Brussels is seeking a Political Affairs Director to strengthen Microsoft’s engagement with the European institutions, especially the European Commission and Council of the European Union, by providing strategic political counsel, facilitating senior-level access, and advancing relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.
Responsibilities
Strategic Political Engagement
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Act as a key member of the Strategic Relations team to identify and address political developments, institutional dynamics, and stakeholder engagement strategies across the European institutions, especially Commission and Council.
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Provide political intelligence and strategic recommendations regarding key legislative, regulatory, and geopolitical developments.
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Support the design and execution of engagement plans targeting priority policymakers and influencers.
Institutional Strategy and Political Counsel
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Advise on key stakeholders, coalition-building strategies, and approaches to influence across the legislative process.
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Help anticipate emerging political trends, institutional priorities, and stakeholder concerns that could impact Microsoft’s business and policy objectives.
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Support the implementation of strategies focused on digital resilience, to alleviate concerns about tech sovereignty and strengthen Microsoft’s role as a partner.
Executive Engagement
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Advise on messaging to prepare and support senior Microsoft executives for meetings with European policymakers and political leaders.
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Contribute to the development of strategic messaging, briefing materials, stakeholder profiles, and engagement plans.
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Provide insights on protocol, institutional expectations, and political considerations for high-level engagements.
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Support executive participation in major political, policy, and geopolitical events across Europe.
Internal Collaboration & Coordination
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Partner closely with EGA policy leads, country government affairs teams, communications, legal, business, and corporate strategy teams.
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Develop creative strategies to strengthen Microsoft’s role as a partner, collaborating across EGA as well as with colleagues in European capitals.
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Share political insights and stakeholder intelligence that strengthens advocacy efforts across the region.
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Contribute to strategic planning and prioritization efforts within the European Government Affairs team.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
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Extensive experience within one or more European institutions (especially European Commission, Council of the European Union, Permanent Representation, or closely related EU institutions)
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Extensive experience in government affairs, public policy, political advisory, public administration, or related fields
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Demonstrated ability to build and maintain senior-level relationships across the European policy ecosystem.
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Strong understanding of EU decision-making processes, institutional interactions, and political dynamics.
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Proven track record of advising senior lea