Vice President

Job Description

Western Digital is seeking a Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy to build an impactful government relations program and team to advance the company’s public policy agenda and represent the company’s interests on government policy at the federal, state and local level.  Based in Washington, D.C., this is an opportunity to establish, grow, and lead the company’s office in Washington, D.C., and a global team. The Vice President will develop and execute strategies to build Western Digital’s visibility among government and public policy stakeholders, promote its public policy priorities, and shape public dialogue on critical business and technology issues in the data storage and semiconductor industries.  A successful candidate will have proven management, leadership, and communication skills as well as strong, high-level relationships with policymakers and officials in Washington, D.C. The position will report to the Chief Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a corporate government relations function and team
• Build Western Digital’s presence in Washington, D.C. to develop its brand in the policy and political spheres as a thought leader on issues impacting the company and industry
• Develop, execute, and promote government relations strategies, outreach, and advocacy capabilities
• Assist in the development and adoption of legislation and regulations in line with company and industry interests
• Establish trusted relationships with key business partners across the company to help identify and inform advocacy priorities and objectives
• Establish, leverage and maintain relationships with government officials, industry groups, public policy organizations, think tanks, and other stakeholders to support Western Digital’s business objectives
• Work cross functionally across all aspects of the business to understand and identify legislative, regulatory, and policy risks and opportunities to the business and execute strategies to manage those risks and capitalize on potential opportunities.
• Develop expertise on a wide variety of legislative, regulatory, and policy issues impacting Western Digital’s business and timely advise senior executives on such developments and impacts
• Facilitate senior executives’ preparation for meetings with government and industry stakeholders and attend such meetings as necessary
• Identify key hearings, conferences, and industry organizations and contribute to Western Digital’s informed and active participation to establish the company as a thought leader in policy debates affecting the company’s business and interests
• Prepare various policy materials for internal and external use with stakeholders, including position statements, reports, updates, briefing packages, and talking points
• Manage correspondence with government officials and policy stakeholders to ensure it is consistent with Western Digital’s positions on key issues
• In close cooperation with legal counsel and the Ethics & Compliance group, identify and create policies and procedures related to government interaction and political activities to create awareness of requirements and support compliance
• Manage lobbyists, consultants, and the government relations budget
• Manage Washington, D.C. office, which may include personnel working on independent Western Digital business functions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in law, government, public policy, or related field

• 15+ years of experience in government relations, including experience in a multinational corporate government relations department
• Congressional, agency, and/or White House experience preferred with strong bipartisan House and Senate relationships with leadership and committees of jurisdiction
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, regulators, agencies, and other government leaders
• Significant knowledge and understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes, legislative and executive policymaking processes, and policy developments impacting the data storage or semiconductor industries
• Proven ability to set the direction and strategy for a government relations function and to develop and execute strategy and innovative solutions
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate public policy with business strategy and propose practical business solutions, including creating opportunities to advance corporate objectives and grow revenue
• Experience working for a technology company or experience in the data storage or semiconductor industries, particularly in the policy area, is preferred
• Demonstrated experience building and managing a high-performance and collaborative team
• Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and independently
• Strong project management skills necessary to lead cross-functional projects and drive them to completion effectively and timely
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to understand and translate complex and potentially technical concepts into simple, but effective statements for internal and external stakeholders
• Committed to growth mindset and continuous improvement
• Understanding of compliance laws regulating political activities
• Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills with the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the company, including senior executives and the Board of Directors and ability to influence/persuade external stakeholders
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability in managing functional objectives, staff, and internal and external stakeholders