Government Affairs Director

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

At Microsoft, we are growing fast to bring the Microsoft Cloud and AI closer to people and organizations around the world – and we are committed to sustainability, innovation, social responsibility, and supporting the communities in which we live and work. Customer demand for our cloud and AI services continues to increase as reflected by growth in revenue and customer commitments in Microsoft Cloud and AI.

Datacenter capacity is the infrastructure that is the backbone of the cloud. In the last three years, we’ve doubled our capacity, adding more in 2025 than any other year in history. We expect to have another record year in 2026, and our global footprint continues to expand, across 70+ regions and 400+ datacenters worldwide.

The U.S. Infrastructure Government Affairs Team engages with state and local governments and other community stakeholders to build support and advance policies necessary to enable Microsoft to build and operate data centers around the country.  This team provides the subject matter expertise to issues related to land use, water use, energy, regulation and tax for datacenters. It also works closely with Microsoft’s Public Affairs, TechSpark, State Government Affairs, Infrastructure Legal Affairs, and Community Affairs teams to engage with the public on issues related to Microsoft’s data center development in communities.

We are seeking a Government Affairs Director, Infrastructurer to join our team. In this role you will play a critical role in working with state and local government leaders in multiple states/regions to develop and achieve the company’s policy, political, business and relationship goals in a way that reflects the values of Microsoft.

Responsibilities

• Promote Microsoft as a trusted local and worldwide leader in providing AI and cloud services and responsibly developing the infrastructure to host those services.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with state and local government officials in your regions.
• Advocate for public policy positions conducive to data center development including, but not limited to issues of energy, taxation, development, workforce and sustainability.
• Work closely with Microsoft’s Public Affairs and TechSpark teams to provide communications and programming in communities surrounding data center development.
• Work closely with data center development teams and their executive leadership to support their work in key markets.
• Represent Microsoft interests with governments, business and community organizations to enhance Microsoft’s state and local presence.
• In consultation with Microsoft’s State Government Affairs team, coordinate government affairs consultants / lobbyists activities in select geographies.
• Represent Microsoft at external events, meetings and conferences when needed.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with other organizations on issues of mutual interest.
• Develop coalitions to support Microsoft’s policy agenda as appropriate.
• Build effective advocacy campaigns focusing on improving perceptions and driving adoption of long-range public policy goals.
• Ensure compliance of lobbying and political activities with state and local laws / regulations and Microsoft’s Standards of Business Conduct.
  
  

Qualifications

Required/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.
• Experience in advocacy in technology, real estate development, or government space and experience in developing and implementing strategic plans to drive policy and development objectives
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with technology and related public policy issues and the ability to engage effectively in a variety of public settings
• Experience managing outside resources, including lobbying firms and trade associations
• Ability to multitask, prioritize,working with peers and managers with a bias for action.
  
  

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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 20, 2025.

#CELA

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.