OverviewWe are looking for a
Director, Education and Workforce Policy, U.S., with additional coverage in Canada and select countries in Latin America, to advance policy and translate it into practice to support students, teachers, families, and workers in the age of AI.
This person will join the Global Education and Workforce Policy team in Microsoft Elevate to steer impactful initiatives across the region. Acting as a key external representative for Microsoft, you'll engage with regional and national officials, build meaningful relationships, and champion strategies that reflect Microsoft's core values while advancing important policy and business goals. You will help guide Microsoft's positions on critical education and workforce topics-such as the benefits and risks of AI, the impact of AI on work, responsible AI adoption, and how to ensure all citizens develop foundational AI literacy.
As Director, Education and Workforce Policy, U.S., you will collaborate closely with Microsoft's government affairs teams, country directors, and sales organization to drive policy and the adoption of Microsoft's products, services, and solutions among government and education clients. This high-impact position also interacts with senior Microsoft leaders and executives, as well as a broad range of internal and external audiences, amplifying Microsoft's voice and advancing strategic goals. This role reports to the General Manager, Global Education and Workforce Policy.
ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Program Leadership - Execute the global education and workforce policy strategy through high-impact advocacy and programs, especially target countries and localities.
- Lead the design and execution of key policy campaigns, collaborating across functions regionally and globally to amplify Microsoft's voice.
Policy Development & Advocacy - Lead federal, state, and regional policy analysis and recommendations on a diverse set of education and workforce issues, with a focus on AI.
- Localize the global education and workforce policy agenda per a country's needs and political environment.
- Support adoption of AI literacy frameworks, standards, and guidance across education systems (K-12, vocational, higher education, and lifelong learning).
- Write policy briefs and responses to government requests for input.
- Anticipate emerging opportunities and threats in a fast-changing environment and lead the development of forward-thinking strategies to address them.
Stakeholder Engagement - Create coalitions or work with a diverse range of partners-from government agencies to think tanks and community leaders-aligning interests and turning stakeholders into advocates for Microsoft's policy and business goals.
- Cultivate and sustain influential relationships with regional institutions, agency staff, regulators, and opinion leaders, building Microsoft's reputation as a trusted partner and thought leader.
- Convene and influence key stakeholders, including agencies, employers, labor unions, civil society, and workforce intermediaries.
- Strengthen public-private partnerships with government, including contributions to workforce hubs, advisory councils, and national AI initiatives.
Subject Matter Expertise & Influence - Advise and collaborate with leaders to secure buy-in on policy positions and prepare leaders for public testimony on critical and complex issues.
- Develop national and regional workforce narratives, strategic memos, and policy briefs for senior leadership.
- Prepare executive materials for engagements, external meetings, parliamentary preparation, and strategy sessions.
- Author policy analysis and feedback that summarizes and shapes national and regional education and workforce ecosystems.
- Promote responsible AI in education principles across internal and external education and workforce programs.
Internal Collaboration - Partner with regional and local Microsoft teams by providing policy analysis, insight briefs, recommendations, and meeting preparation.
- Engage regularly with regional government affairs teams to align country-level actions with global priorities.
- Lead and collaborate on high-impact, cross-group projects to develop actionable, scalable solutions for Microsoft's education and workforce priorities.
- Provide thought leadership to overcome regulatory hurdles, partnering closely with the Public Sector and key business leaders to unlock new market opportunities.
- Open doors with policymakers, agencies, and institutions to advance Microsoft's AI capacity-building solutions.
- Coordinate communications across departments to guarantee all stakeholders stay informed and engaged on evolving issues.
QualificationsRequired/minimum qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Technology, Law, Liberal Arts, Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years work experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, government, or related area
- OR equivalent experience.
Additional or preferred qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Technology, Law, Liberal Arts, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years work experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, government, or related area
- OR equivalent experience.
- 5+ years experience in developing and managing strategic relationships to advocate and influence public, regulatory, and technology policy priorities.
- 5+ years experience influencing, developing, or supporting public policy or political campaigns.
- 5+ years of building and managing strategic relationships to champion education and/or workforce policy priorities.
- Demonstrated expertise in AI literacy, responsible AI in education, or digital skills policy.
- Experience working with government agencies, regional/global institutions, unions, or large cross-sector alliances.
- Familiarity with emerging technology policy issues, or the ability to quickly master complex technical and regulatory topics.
- Experience crafting responses to legislative and policy processes.
- Ability to work independently, manage complex workstreams, and build trust with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced environment and contribute across a wide range of policy activities.
#CELA
Government Affairs IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $132,200 - $258,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,800 - $278,900 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
