Head of Government Affairs - UK/IRL
Posted 1 day ago by SAP SE
In this pivotal position, you will be the driving force behind our government affairs strategy in the UK and Ireland, strongly supporting business growth and mitigating policy risk. You will champion the company's vision across the political and regulatory landscape-bridging innovation and governance in one of Europe's fastest growing technology markets.
What you'll build- Shape and execute a bold government affairs strategy for the UK/IRL market, successfully advocating public policies that result in visible business success and policy risk mitigation.
- Build trusted relationships with ministries, regulators, parliamentary bodies, and digital industry coalitions; grow, maintain, and leverage extensive government and stakeholder networks; closely align and cooperate with GA colleagues globally, in particular in the EU (Brussels), the United States, and Germany.
- Position our Sovereign Cloud and AI solutions at the centre of national digital policies and decision-making to drive demand, adoption and business results.
- Monitor politically influenced business risks and provide analyses and advice to internal stakeholders for action.
- Position SAP as an innovation partner and technology leader through content development and targeted outreach to stakeholder groups.
- Represent the company in high stakes conversations on cloud security, data protection, AI regulation, and digital infrastructure.
- Anticipate and identify policies and regulations that can impact the company, advocate for technology and industry-supportive policies and regulations.
- Liaise with governments and relevant authorities in times of crisis.
- Provide SAP internal clients with expert content and guidance for reaching and influencing key audiences within the public sector and strategic decision-making.
- Actively position SAP innovations and solutions in the public sector, defense and critical national infrastructure via engagement with stakeholders.
- Anticipate political and social developments that create value for the brand and translate them into actionable opportunities for the business.
- Advise internal organizations on properly navigating governmental structures and how policy may impact business units throughout the go-to-market cycles as well as via their business operations.
- Coordinate with relevant internal organizations to help shape, build, and execute effective development strategies within the public sector.
- Degree in Law, Political Sciences, Economics or similar.
- 10-15 years experience in government relations, public affairs, political advisory, or regulatory strategy-preferably within the tech or cloud ecosystem.
- Strong credibility with senior policymakers and industry leaders, including a reliable and trusted network in London - Dublin is a plus.
- Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and advocate effectively on behalf of large, complex organizations.
- Deep expertise in UK political and digital policy environment; Ireland is a plus.
- Ability to simplify complex issues, influence at the highest levels, and drive alignment across stakeholders.
- Passion for cloud innovation, digital transformation, and responsible technology.
- Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.
- Join one of the world's most innovative cloud and software leaders.
- Work at the intersection of technology, policy, and societal impact.
- Drive conversations on Cloud, technological sovereignty, AI and cybersecurity.
- Enjoy a culture built on empowerment, collaboration, and purpose.
- Make a tangible impact on how the UK and Ireland accelerate its digital future.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, etc.), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements. SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.