Political Affairs Director

European Government Affairs – Political Affairs Director 

Overview

Microsoft’s European Government Affairs (EGA) team serves as the company’s primary interface with the European institutions, national governments, and key stakeholders across the region. Operating at the intersection of technology, policy, geopolitics, and business, EGA advances Microsoft’s public policy objectives by fostering trusted relationships and promoting policies that strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, resilience, and digital transformation. The team engages on a broad range of issues including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, competition, trade, digital infrastructure, and technology sovereignty.

As Europe navigates an increasingly complex political and regulatory environment, effective engagement with the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union is critical to Microsoft’s success. Policymaking is increasingly shaped through cross-institutional dynamics, requiring sophisticated stakeholder engagement, political intelligence, and the ability to build trusted relationships across party lines, institutions, and Member States.

The EGA team in Brussels is seeking a Political Affairs Director to strengthen Microsoft’s engagement with the European institutions, especially the European Commission and Council of the European Union, by providing strategic political counsel, facilitating senior-level access, and advancing relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.

Strategic Political Engagement

• Act as a key member of the Strategic Relations team to identify and address political developments, institutional dynamics, and stakeholder engagement strategies across the European institutions, especially Commission and Council.
• Provide political intelligence and strategic recommendations regarding key legislative, regulatory, and geopolitical developments.
• Support the design and execution of engagement plans targeting priority policymakers and influencers.

Institutional Strategy and Political Counsel

• Advise on key stakeholders, coalition-building strategies, and approaches to influence across the legislative process.
• Help anticipate emerging political trends, institutional priorities, and stakeholder concerns that could impact Microsoft’s business and policy objectives.
• Support the implementation of strategies focused on digital resilience, to alleviate concerns about tech sovereignty and strengthen Microsoft’s role as a partner.

Executive Engagement

• Advise on messaging to prepare and support senior Microsoft executives for meetings with European policymakers and political leaders.
• Contribute to the development of strategic messaging, briefing materials, stakeholder profiles, and engagement plans.
• Provide insights on protocol, institutional expectations, and political considerations for high-level engagements.
• Support executive participation in major political, policy, and geopolitical events across Europe.

Internal Collaboration & Coordination

• Partner closely with EGA policy leads, country government affairs teams, communications, legal, business, and corporate strategy teams.
• Develop creative strategies to strengthen Microsoft’s role as a partner, collaborating across EGA as well as with colleagues in European capitals.
• Share political insights and stakeholder intelligence that strengthens advocacy efforts across the region.
• Contribute to strategic planning and prioritization efforts within the European Government Affairs team.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience within one or more European institutions (especially European Commission, Council of the European Union, Permanent Representation, or closely related EU institutions)
• Extensive experience in government affairs, public policy, political advisory, public administration, or related fields 
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain senior-level relationships across the European policy ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of EU decision-making processes, institutional interactions, and political dynamics.
• Proven track record of advising senior leaders on complex political and stakeholder engagement challenges.
• Excellent judgment, diplomacy, and ability to operate effectively in highly political and sensitive environments.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a highly matrixed, multinational organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Political Science, European Affairs, Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or a related field.
• Experience working directly with senior political leaders, Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, ministers, ambassadors, cabinet members, or senior government officials.
• Established network across multiple European institutions and Member State representations.
• Strong understanding of technology policy and the issues shaping Europe’s digital agenda.
• Experience operating in multinational corporate, consulting, trade association, or public affairs environments.
• Demonstrated success designing and executing high-impact stakeholder engagement strategies.

Other

• Embodies Microsoft’s culture and values.
• Demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Thrives in a fast-paced and evolving political environment.
• Contributes to a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and deliver results through influence rather than authority

#CELA

Government Affairs IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across Belgium is € 131,000.00 - € 220,900.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/belgium-corporate-pay.html

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.