Salesforce

Director, Public Affairs

Salesforce$164K — $261K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field.
  • 10-15 years of experience in public affairs or strategic communications.
  • Proven success in executing integrated public affairs or advocacy campaigns.
  • Deep understanding of the U.S. policy and legislative landscape.
  • Exceptional written and verbal skills for clear communication of complex issues.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience with managing agency relationships and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the operationalization of public affairs campaigns from planning to performance measurement.
  • Design and manage integrated campaigns that utilize earned media, paid media, and digital advocacy.
  • Coordinate campaign communications, ensuring collaboration with corporate communications.
  • Build and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets for campaigns.
  • Develop infrastructure for rapid response and long-term narrative building.
  • Create messaging tailored to various stakeholder groups to support policy priorities.
  • Anticipate and manage emerging policy and reputational risks, including crisis communications.

Benefits

  • Medical and dental coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
  • Generous parental leave policy.
  • Adoption assistance and fertility benefits.
Full Job Description
To get the best candidate experience, please consider applying for a maximum of 3 roles within 12 months to ensure you are not duplicating efforts.

Job Category
Global Affairs

Job Details

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Public Affairs to operationalize and drive our public affairs campaign program. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Relations, this role is central to translating strategic priorities into integrated, results-driven campaigns that advance the company's policy objectives, support our sales teams, protect and grow our reputation, and expand its influence with policymakers, third-party stakeholders, and the public.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience executing sophisticated public affairs strategies-spanning strategic communications, earned and paid media, coalition building, and issues management. This is a high-impact, execution-focused leadership role for a person who thrives in a fast-moving environment and can seamlessly translate policy goals into compelling public narratives and tangible advocacy outcomes.

What You'll Actually Be Doing
Campaign Operations & Execution
  • Oversee the end-to-end operationalization of the public affairs campaign program, from planning through performance measurement.
  • Design, implement, and manage integrated public affairs campaigns spanning earned media, paid media, digital advocacy, and direct stakeholder engagement.
  • Oversee the full lifecycle of campaign communications-planning, content production, channel execution, and reporting-ensuring tight coordination across functions and in collaboration with the Corporate Communications team.
  • Build and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships to keep campaigns on track and on strategy.
  • Develop and maintain a campaign infrastructure that enables rapid response and long-term narrative building simultaneously.


Strategic Communications & Messaging
  • Develop compelling, audience-specific messaging and narratives that advance the company's public policy priorities across diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Quality-control a range of communications materials, including talking points, op-eds, fact sheets, policy briefs, digital content, and executive collateral.
  • Partner with corporate communications to integrate public affairs narratives into broader company storytelling, particularly in earned media.
  • Ensure media partnerships and paid media campaigns are directed toward priority policy issues.


Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and operationalize a grasstops employee advocacy program, coordinating with government affairs teams to activate internal champions.
  • Represent the company at relevant events, conferences, and stakeholder forums to advance policy relationships and organizational visibility.
  • Work with the Federal Affairs team to grow participation and engagement in the political action committee.


Issues Management & Reputational Risk
  • Anticipate emerging policy, political, and reputational risks, and proactively develop rapid response and scenario planning frameworks.
  • Lead crisis and issues communications planning, serving as a key cross-functional coordinator when challenges arise.
  • Monitor legislative, regulatory, and political developments to assess impact on company operations and public positioning.
  • Collaborate with Legal, Policy, Product, and Executive Communications teams to ensure consistent, defensible messaging during sensitive periods.


Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
  • Serve as a critical connector across the Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Commercial, and Communications functions.
  • Advise internal business leaders and executives on public affairs dynamics, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities.
  • Manage and direct external resources, including agencies, consultants, and digital vendors, to maximize campaign effectiveness.
  • Support the VP of Public Affairs in developing team strategy, operational frameworks, and function-wide initiatives.
  • Ability to manage a small team with the potential to grow your people leadership skills.


You're Our Person If...
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field.
  • 10-15 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, political campaigns, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated success executing integrated public affairs or advocacy campaigns from inception through measurement.
  • Deep knowledge of the U.S. policy and legislative landscape and processes, with experience working across federal and/or state levels.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive narratives.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience managing agency and vendor relationships, budgets, and cross-functional project teams.
  • Strong political instincts and judgment, with the ability to anticipate and navigate sensitive issues.


Even Better If...
  • Background in political campaign management, government, or public affairs agency settings.
  • Familiarity with digital advocacy platforms, paid media tools, and grassroots mobilization technology.
  • Experience with grasstops and third-party coalition program development.
  • Prior work on AI, data privacy, or tech policy issues is a plus.


Location & Travel

This position is based in Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA and will work a hybrid schedule in the office 3 days a week. Candidates in either location will be considered; occasional travel between offices and to key policy events is expected (approximately 15-20% of the time).

We have a public-facing website https://salesforcebenefits.com/ that explains our various benefits, including medical, dental, 401k, ESPP, generous parental leave, adoption assistance, fertility benefits, and more. Visit for the full breakdown!

About Salesforce

ExactTarget is a provider of on-demand email marketing software solutions. Their suite of on-demand one-to-one marketing applications enables clients to send business-critical and event-triggered communications to increase sales, optimize marketing investments, and strengthen customer relationships. They offer four editions of their on-demand software application along with integrated solutions such as ExactTarget for AppExchange and ExactTarget for [Microsoft](/organization/Microsoft) Dynamics CRM.

Salesforce Careers

Joining Salesforce means becoming part of a dynamic, global team of professionals who are deeply committed to driving customer success and innovation. As the world's leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, Salesforce offers unparalleled job opportunities in technology and consulting, making it an ideal place for ambitious individuals looking to make a significant impact.

Work You'll Do

At Salesforce, every position is a chance to leverage your skills and creativity to transform businesses and industries. Our diverse team of experts collaborates to deliver cutting-edge solutions that foster growth and enhance leadership capabilities. By joining our team, you'll be at the forefront of digital innovation, using Salesforce's powerful platform to help clients navigate their transformation journeys.

Innovate and Lead

Salesforce is not just a company; it's a community where you can lead with your ideas and see them come to life. Our culture of innovation encourages you to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what's possible. With Salesforce, you'll work alongside leaders in technology and business who are committed to your growth and professional development.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Whether you're looking for an internship, a full-time position, or leadership roles, Salesforce provides a wealth of opportunities to advance your career. Our commitment to professional growth is reflected in our robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, designed to help you excel at every stage of your career.

Be Part of a Great Team

Salesforce prides itself on a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and open communication. We believe that our strength lies in our people, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Joining our team means being part of a supportive community that encourages networking and collaboration.

Benefits and Culture

At Salesforce, we understand that job satisfaction extends beyond the office. That's why we offer competitive benefits to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From health insurance and retirement plans to wellness programs and flexible working arrangements, we provide the benefits that contribute to a better work-life balance.

Explore Job Opportunities

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the wide range of employment opportunities at Salesforce. From technical roles to customer engagement positions, we are continuously hiring talented individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Salesforce by following our careers blog. Gain insights from the people who work here and learn how you can bring your career to the next level with Salesforce.

Apply Now

Are you ready to join a company that's leading the way in CRM technology? Search open positions that match your skills and interests on our careers page. Tailor your resume, prepare for your interview, and take the first step towards a rewarding career at Salesforce.

SEARCH SALESFORCE JOBS

Join Salesforce today and be part of a company that's shaping the future of technology, fostering a culture of innovation, and building a more equitable world.
Learn more about Salesforce
Size
73,541 employees
Market Cap
$130.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4 billion
Founded
2000
5 Year Trend
+25.7%
Revenue
$21.2 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Salesforce

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Director, Public Affairs jobs: