Government Affairs Director
MicrosoftJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa3 days ago
Job descriptionFamiliarity with policy and regulatory challenges facing the technology industry, particularly across Africa. Proficiency in written and oral advocacy skills in English and French. Ability to understand and explain complex technical and / or legal issues to diverse audiences. Excellent organizational and planning skills; proven project management, coalition-building, and resource management abilities. Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and motivate and lead others, including in non-hierarchical contexts. Detail-oriented, with demonstrable business acumen and cross-cultural skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain lasting relationships and consensus with a variety of constituencies both inside and outside an organization. Willingness and ability to adapt quickly as the legal, policy, and business landscape evolves. Strategy & Program Management Advocate for and manage policy issues (social, political, legal, technical), leading the company’s engagement and campaigns with senior internal stakeholders on priority issues, strategies, and programs. Shape and contribute to Microsoft’s policy agenda in Africa, addressing complex governmental issues and business priorities, and develop highly impactful solutions for advancing the agenda while managing risks and consequences. Steer project-related government affairs work, including stakeholder management, outreach strategy, narrative development, and related political communications. Identify and create opportunities for Microsoft technology and cloud computing services to empower government leaders and address challenges within the African political landscape, including competitive analysis of Microsoft’s offerings. Develop and maintain an intelligence network, systematically gather and analyze external and internal data, and share findings to support Microsoft’s and customers’ business objectives. Keep abreast of technology policy trends and developments, understanding their intersection with Microsoft’s business and the broader technology landscape. Develop and influence partnerships with coalitions, the public sector, relevant interest groups, and industry thought leaders to achieve desired regulatory and legislative outcomes. Lead the implementation of improvements to initiatives based on community and stakeholder feedback. Build and maintain a broad network of relationships with decision-makers in pan-African institutions, governments, regulatory agencies, and international organizations. Manage consultants, partners, and allies on legislative and business-related initiatives. Advocate for and manage policy issues, leading Microsoft’s engagement with internal stakeholders related to government affairs. Facilitate and coordinate internal business operations within the region to raise awareness, resolve complex cross-group priority conflicts, and enable alignment across teams. Advise senior executive leadership teams on the political landscape and measures related to project priorities. Support the preparation of project-related executive visits and events in close collaboration with the entire CELA team. Direct and align complex or conflicting policy with Microsoft’s goals and strategies; enhance company reputation by driving a communication framework and messaging for Government Affairs. Clearly communicate Microsoft’s commitments and explain complex technical and policy concepts to policymakers, business decision-makers, and influencers. Participate in and assist in developing internal / external events to drive Government Affairs objectives and social media engagement. Drive strategic partnership engagement in external events and represent Microsoft in key forums. Demonstrate willingness to experiment, learn quickly from mistakes, and adapt to evolving legal, policy, and factual landscapes. Operate comfortably in fast-paced, high-pressure environments and in cutting-edge legal and policy matters where ambiguity is common.
Job title : Government Affairs Director
Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg
Deadline : November 29, 2025
Overview
Microsoft has an immediate opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced government affairs professional to join Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) as the Government Affairs Policy Lead for Africa. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Government Affairs for Africa.
Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us achieve our mission.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications :
- Master's degree in public policy, Public Administration, or related field AND many years of experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government OR a Bachelor’s degree in public policy, Public Administration, Law, or related field AND several years of experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government; OR extensive years’ of experience in these areas.
- Significant policy development or government affairs experience in the legal department of an international company, business, trade association, consultancy, or multilateral organization (or similar experience in an international law firm).
- Experience in developing and managing strategic relationships to advocate and influence public / technology policy priorities.
Preferred Qualifications :
Responsibilities
Intelligence & Analysis
External Relationships & Coalition-Building
Internal Collaboration & Cross-Group Alignment
Communication & Representation
Change Management & Adaptability
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Create a job alert for this search
Director • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Related jobs
- Promoted
Director Of Public Health Sandton
GEOTECHSandton, Gauteng, South Africa Our International client within the Public Health space is seeking a Director to join their SA team.This individual will need to have had experience at this level or have been in a role such as Sen...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Director - Public Health as per advert
GEOTECHSandton, Gauteng, South Africa Our International client within the Public Health space is seeking a Director to join their SA team.This individual will need to have had experience at this level or have been in a role such as Sen...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Corporate Director Bryanston
Performer RecruitmentSandton, Gauteng, South Africa A well-established FMCG company is looking for a Corporate Affairs Director.The individual in this role is tasked with evaluating the operational landscape within South Africa.This involves forecas...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Corporate Affairs Director
Performer RecruitmentSandton, Gauteng, South Africa A well-established FMCG company is looking for a Corporate Affairs Director.The individual in this role is tasked with evaluating the operational landscape within South Africa.This involves forecas...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Senior Director (P4) (Division For Global Engagement)
University of JohannesburgJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan institution guided by its bold UJ Strategy 2035 which emphasises Societal Impact and Sustainability Global Footprint and Partnershi...Show moreLast updated: 2 days ago
- Promoted
Director Regulatory Affairs South Africa
GSKJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa A new world-leading consumer health company.Together were improving everyday health for billions of people.By growing and innovating our global portfolio of category-leading brands including Sensod...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Senior Active Directory Specialist
Sabenza IT & RecruitmentJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Our clients in the consulting space are on the hunt for a Senior Active Directory Specialist to join their dynamic team! The Senior Active Directory Specialist is responsible for the Global design ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
- New!
The Senior Director : Global Engagement
University of JohannesburgJohannesburg, ZA Job title : The Senior Director : Global Engagement.Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg.The University seeks to appoint an exceptionally motivated and energetic leader of high professional and acad...Show moreLast updated: 10 hours ago
- Promoted
Director Of Partnerships And Channel Management
Watersedge SolutionsJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Are you a strategic relationship builder with a passion for driving growth and elevating brand visibility? WatersEdge Solutions is recruiting a Director of Partnerships and Channel Management to le...Show moreLast updated: 3 days ago
- Promoted
Government Relations And Public Policy Lead - Sub-Saharan Africa
TikTokJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa The Global Public Policy & Government Affairs team's work spans across a broad and diverse range of functions and workstreams, including government affairs and government relations; policy and issu...Show moreLast updated: 3 days ago
- Promoted
Solution Architect – Government & Public Services – Senior Manager
Deloitte AfricaMidrand, Gauteng, South Africa At Deloitte, our Purpose is to make an impact that matters for our clients, our people, and society.This is the lens for which our global strategy is set.
It unites Deloitte professionals across geo...Show moreLast updated: 15 days ago
- Promoted
Director – Campus Protection Services (AD04)
University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Director – Campus Protection Services (AD04).The main purpose of this position is to provide leadership, direct and manage Campus Protection Services in the seamless, integrated and holistic provis...Show moreLast updated: 15 days ago
- Promoted
Senior Group Account Director / Managing Director
The RecruitersJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Our client is an adaptive and agile full-service Communications & PR agency.The Senior Group Account Director / Managing Director is responsible for providing direction and management of the team, ...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Associate Director - Vector Borne Diseases
Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa Associate Director - Vector Borne Diseases.Associate Director - Vector Borne Diseases.Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.CHAI) is a global health organi...Show moreLast updated: 14 days ago
- Promoted
Partner / Associate Director
Network Finance.Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa This is a leading provider of actuarial and consulting services, dedicated to helping our clients achieve their financial goals.
We are committed to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptiona...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Associate Director - Vme
Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn BhdJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc.CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries.We wor...Show moreLast updated: 3 days ago
- Promoted
Client Director (Public Sector / SOE)
OpenTextJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa OpenText Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.Join or sign in to find your next job.Client Director (Public Sector / SOE)).
OpenText Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.Client Director (Public Sector...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago
- Promoted
Consulting Senior Director
VisaJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more t...Show moreLast updated: 30+ days ago