Head of Government Affairs Microsoft Legal 08:26

Microsoft is seeking a Head of Government Affairs, Middle East to lead, manage, coach, and develop a talented team of government affairs specialists and other business professionals. The CELA Middle East Lead will serve as a trusted advisor and counselor to the Middle East Area Vice President and their leadership team, and will be an important part of the CELA EMEA Leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, coach, and develop a talented team of government affairs specialists and other business professionals while overseeing a larger community of CELA professionals focused on the Middle East.
• Support innovation, drive the diffusion of artificial intelligence, and build trust with key external stakeholders to accelerate customers’ move to the cloud and adoption of AI-powered solutions.
• Promote an enabling public policy environment in the Middle East with a focus on new and emerging regulations relating to digital services, digital markets, data, and AI.
• Ideate, develop, and execute public affairs and external communications relating to CELA’s work, emphasizing high-impact campaigns to influence public policy debates and outcomes.
• Coordinate legal services support for sales teams across the region in support of MCAPS Digital Transformation.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and counselor to the Middle East Area Vice President and their leadership team, and as a member of the MCAPS Middle East business leadership team.
• Contribute to the setting of strategy, tactics, and commitments in support of company and departmental goals as part of the CELA EMEA Leadership team.
• Manage the CELA Middle East budget and drive synergies in the management and retention of strategic advisors, outside counsel, and other vendors.

Experience Required:

• Extensive experience across corporate and/or field environments managing complex regulatory, government affairs, public affairs, legal, or related policy matters.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and serving as a trusted advisor to senior executives, with executive presence and the ability to operate effectively across complex, matrixed organizations.
• People leadership experience, with a track record of coaching, developing, motivating, and inspiring high-performing teams.
• Experience acting as an internal and/or external spokesperson and engaging effectively with senior public and private sector leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute medium-to-long-term strategies and advocacy campaigns involving complex issues and multiple stakeholders.
• Track record of building trusted relationships, collaborating across functions, facilitating effective problem resolution, and contributing to collective success.

Education Qualifications:

Graduate degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field.

Skills Required:

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills in English
• Proficiency in written, reading, and conversational Arabic & English
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, assess and mitigate risk, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, and make sound decisions in complex environments
• Prioritization and program management skills
• Demonstrated growth mindset, including experimentation, learning from successes and failures, and driving resolution with urgency
• Demonstrated commitment to high ethical standards, integrity, and inclusive leadership

Employment / Job Type:

Full Time

Nationality:

Any Nationality

About the Company:

Microsoft is a premier technology corporation that develops software, hardware, and cloud computing solutions. It offers popular operating systems, productivity applications, and enterprise services. The business focuses on artificial intelligence and digital transformation to empower individuals and organizations worldwide.

Company Industry:

Technology

Department / Functional Area:

Legal and Corporate Affairs

Closing Date:

8 May 2027