Dir, Policy & Government Affairs

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

We envision a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. These are not easy goals to accomplish – but we are not here for easy. We are here for better. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we are looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Our Approach to Work

We lead with flexibility and choice in all of our people programs. We have disrupted the traditional view that all employees have the same needs and wants. We offer personalization and offer our employees the opportunity to choose what works best for them as often as possible - from your wellbeing support to your growth and development, and beyond!

Job Description

Your Career

As Director, Public Policy & Government Affairs, you will play a key role in helping to further raise the profile of Palo Alto Networks in the public policy arena. In collaboration with other team members, you will engage in the development and implementation of legislation, policies, regulations, and programs at the Federal level aligned with the company’s strategic interests. You will also establish and build trusted relationships with government officials, with a focus on congressional engagement, to create meaningful partnerships, and work hand-in-glove with our public sector sales teams to identify and advance business opportunities. 

The role is based in Washington, D.C., and may require occasional travel, including trips to our Santa Clara, CA, headquarters.

Your Impact

• Collaborate to advance the interests of Palo Alto Networks' public sector teams, including by facilitating business conversations with congressional stakeholders, senior government officials, government CIOs, cybersecurity stakeholders, and purchasing influencers of government and other public sector organizations.

• Support the development and maintenance of strategic relationships within public sector organizations and institutions.

• Expand and cultivate existing relationships while identifying new key officials, organizations, and stakeholders to elevate Palo Alto Networks' visibility in the cybersecurity and related tech policy communities. 

• Monitor and engage on current and emerging public policy issues, including cybersecurity, AI, certifications, data flows, cloud, and privacy, and develop and execute strategies to advocate in the company’s interest.

• Partner closely with other members of the Policy team, including colleagues in EMEA and JAPAC, and the Global Legal Team to ensure consistent approaches and information sharing.

• Liaise internally with various corporate functions and business leadership to provide timely public policy positions, insight, and written materials in relation to identified policy areas, related business initiatives, and government regulatory activities.

• Advise internal business leaders and work collaboratively with business units (including, marketing, communications, product management, sales, and others) to ensure that Palo Alto Networks has the best information available to make strategic decisions with critical impact on the company’s business goals. 

• Present company policy positions through written papers, comments, meetings, conferences, and industry associations.

• Manage and direct outside resources, including lobbyists, consultants, and trade associations.

• Contribute to speeches and materials for senior executives, identifying thought leadership opportunities and operational partnerships.

Qualifications

Your Experience

• 10+ years of relevant public policy experience.

• Track record of supporting sales teams and passion for building strategic business relationships.

• Strong background engaging on legislative and policy issues related to cybersecurity, data flows, data localization, privacy, and AI.

• In-depth knowledge of U.S. federal budget and congressional appropriations processes and experience working within these frameworks to accomplish legislative or policy goals.

• Network of government, academic, and other influencers.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships across various constituencies, both inside and outside the organization.

• Experience managing cross-functional teams, projects, and programs.

• Entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and decision-making skills.

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