Head of Government Affairs - Europe North & Netherlands
Overview Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their expertise each day.
In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us achieve our mission. Microsoft Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) has an opening for a motivated, skilled and talented corporate and government affairs professional to support innovation, drive the diffusion of artificial intelligence, and build trust with key external stakeholders, including by: (1) leading, managing and inspiring members of the CELA Europe North/Netherlands team; (2) providing market leading government affairs and public policy advice, support and counsel to the Europe North/Netherlands Corporate Vice President and wider Microsoft Customer & Partner Solutions (MCAPS) team in Europe North/Netherlands; (3) partnering with the MCAPS business to achieve the company’s revenue targets, deployment and growth objectives; and (4) supporting the company’s public policy objectives in a wide range of areas.
The role reports to Jeff Bullwinkel, Vice President, Government Affairs, for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Responsibilities Primary responsibilities include : Team Leadership and People Management : The CELA Europe North/Netherlands Lead will lead, manage, coach, and develop a talented team of government affairs specialists and other business professionals and also oversee and orchestrate a larger community of CELA professionals focused on Europe North/Netherlands, inspiring them to achieve high impact, top performance and individual growth.
Cloud and AI Adoption and Public Policy Engagement: The CELA Europe North/Netherlands Lead will support innovation, drive the diffusion of artificial intelligence, and build trust with key external stakeholders, with a focus on accelerating our customers’ move to the cloud and adoption of AI-powered solutions.
This individual will devote considerable time externally focused on positioning Microsoft as the most trusted, responsible and inclusive cloud and AI services provider. In that connection, the larger CELA Europe North/Netherlands team is responsible for promoting an enabling public policy environment in Europe North/Netherlands and across the EU (working in concert with CELA Europe’s government affairs team in Brussels) with a focus on new and emerging regulations relating to digital services, digital markets, data, and AI.
Public Affairs and External Communications: The CELA Europe North/Netherlands lead will be responsible for ideating, developing, and executing public affairs and external communications relating to CELA’s work, with an emphasis on creating and driving high-impact campaigns aimed at connecting with key external stakeholders, influencing public policy debates and outcomes, and building trust with the larger communities we serve in Europe North/Netherlands.
MCAPS Digital Transformation Support : The CELA Europe North/Netherlands lead will help to coordinate the legal services support for sales teams across the region. The successful candidate is able to blend corporate affairs and public policy guidance and business-focused insights to conceive and implement creative solutions, with a focus on supporting the digital transformation of Microsoft’s existing and new customers.
Trusted Advisor: The CELA Europe North/Netherlands Lead will serve as a trusted advisor and counselor to the Europe North/Netherlands Corporate Vice President and their leadership team and will serve as a member of the MCAPS Europe North/Netherlands business leadership team.
Microsoft Runs on Trust: The CELA Europe North/Netherlands Lead will serve as the CELA representative on the Europe North/Netherlands MCAPS Compliance Committee and will play a key role in ensuring the MCAPS business runs on trust, complies with the law, and adheres to company policies.
CELA EMEA and Global Leadership Teams: The CELA Europe North/Netherlands lead will be an important part of the CELA EMEA Leadership team and be expected to make positive and active contributions to this diverse and dynamic community, including contributing to the setting of strategy, tactics and commitments in support of the company’s and the department’s long-term, annual and quarterly goals.
Budget, Vendor and Outside Counsel Coordination : The CELA Europe North/Netherlands Lead will manage the CELA Europe North/Netherlands budget and drive synergies in management and retention of strategic advisors, outside counsel, and other vendors.
Qualifications Required Qualifications Extensive experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, legal, or related disciplines, combining corporate and field-based leadership experience. Executive presence and trusted advisor capability, with a proven track record of supporting and influencing executives on complex business, policy, and regulatory matters.
Extensive experience managing complex government affairs, regulatory, public policy, or legal issues, with demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, assess risk, and make sound decisions in fast-paced, matrixed environments. People leadership experience, including leading, coaching, developing, and motivating high-performing teams to deliver impact while fostering talent growth.
Demonstrable communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategy execution skills, including experience representing an organization externally, building senior-level relationships, and leading advocacy or stakeholder engagement strategies involving multiple stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications Fluency in one or more languages spoken across the Europe North/Netherlands region. Experience leading government affairs, public policy, or public affairs activities across multiple European markets. Demonstrated success advancing organizational positions through high-impact engagement with government, regulatory, industry, and business leaders.
Proven experience designing and executing large-scale advocacy campaigns and long-term policy strategies. Experience supporting technology, innovation, or other highly regulated industries. Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, or a related discipline.
Other Demonstrates a growth mindset, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning. Thrives in fast-paced, dynamic, and ambiguous environments while balancing strategic thinking with pragmatic execution. Promotes collaboration, inclusion, and collective team success.
Demonstrates high ethical standards, integrity, sound judgment, and professionalism. Embodies Microsoft's culture and values, including commitment to diversity and inclusion. Government Affairs M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Netherlands is € 177,000.00 - € 265,600.00 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/netherlands-corporate-pay.html Government Affairs M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 133,500.00 - £ 200,300.00 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/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html Government Affairs M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Sweden is kr 1,511,000.00 - kr 2,267,000.00 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/sweden-corporate-pay.html Government Affairs M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Denmark is kr 1,352,400.00 - kr 2,028,600.00 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/denmark-corporate-pay.html Government Affairs M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across Norway is kr 1,580,000.00 - kr 2,370,000.00 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/norway-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.