Director, Government Relations — National Security and Economic Security Policy

Ciena • Remote-US-DC, DC

4d • $161,700 - $258,300

About The Position

The Director, Government Relations — National Security and Economic Security Policy will lead Ciena’s engagement on government initiatives affecting the development, manufacture, movement, sale, and trusted use of networking equipment worldwide. Reporting to the Vice President, Government Relations, the Director will anticipate and help shape national-security, economic-security, supply-chain, cybersecurity, trade, and technology policies that could create risks or opportunities for the company. The role translates evolving government requirements into business implications and coordinates policy responses across Government Relations, Legal, Trade Compliance, Product Security, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Sales, and other functions.

The Director will take a global perspective on policy and operations. Ciena is headquartered in the United States, sells worldwide, manufactures primarily in Mexico and Thailand, has major research and development operations in India and Canada, and depends on global logistics, distribution, and component-sourcing networks. The role requires understanding how national policies interact across jurisdictions and affect operations and market access. The company is seeking a candidate in the DC area.

The Director will work with the Vice President and stakeholders to set policy priorities, assess policy developments and operational consequences, and develop executive recommendations. The role will also develop and execute advocacy strategies, represent the company in engagement with governments and other institutions, and prepare policy positions and materials. The policy portfolio may cover telecommunications supply-chain and product-security requirements, cybersecurity and critical-infrastructure conditions, foreign investment and cross-border technology controls, data and AI policy, industrial-policy incentives, and international alignment on telecommunications and economic-security policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, international affairs, law, economics, political science, engineering, cybersecurity, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in government, corporate government relations, public policy, national security, international trade, telecommunications, technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of how national-security and economic-security policies affect globally integrated technology companies.
• Experience engaging senior government officials, legislators, regulators, or national-security agencies.
• Ability to analyze complex policy proposals and translate them into clear commercial and operational implications.
• Strong writing, briefing, advocacy, coalition-building, and executive-communication skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional work without direct authority over participating functions.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, or politically complex matters.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in law, public policy, international affairs, business, cybersecurity, or a related discipline.
• Experience with telecommunications networks, networking equipment, semiconductors, critical infrastructure, or other advanced-technology industries.
• Familiarity with export controls, sanctions, supply-chain security, cybersecurity regulation, government procurement, domestic-content requirements, or investment screening.
• Experience working across North America, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific.
• Government service in a national-security, trade, economic, telecommunications, cybersecurity, or foreign-policy role.
• Experience developing advocacy strategies that combine direct government engagement, industry coalitions, and evidence-based thought leadership.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Vice President and company stakeholders to develop public policy priorities, weighing risk, impact, and the company’s ability to influence policy positions.
• Monitor and assess national-security and economic-security initiatives affecting telecommunications and networking equipment, critical infrastructure, advanced technologies, global supply chains, and international trade.
• Evaluate the direct and indirect effects of proposed policies on product design, component sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, research and development, market access, customer eligibility, and government procurement.
• Develop practical risk assessments, scenarios, and executive recommendations that distinguish immediate compliance requirements from longer-term strategic exposure.
• Maintain a global view of potentially conflicting or overlapping requirements across the United States and other priority markets.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies for national-security policies, including identifying priority messages, audiences, and engagement channels.
• Represent Ciena and build relationships with Congress, U.S. departments and agencies, foreign governments, regulators, embassies, and international institutions responsible for relevant policy areas.
• Develop company positions and supporting materials, including regulatory comments, consultation responses, legislative proposals, briefings, testimony, and executive talking points.
• Advance company priorities through direct engagement, trade associations, and industry coalitions, choosing an approach appropriate to each issue.
• Coordinate policy responses across Government Relations, Legal, Trade Compliance, Product Security, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Sales, and other functions.
• Translate evolving government requirements into clear business implications.
• Assess policy issues involving telecommunications supply-chain, product-security, and trusted-technology requirements; cybersecurity conditions; foreign investment and research security; cross-border technology controls; data, cloud, AI, and technology sovereignty; industrial policy and government programs; and international policy alignment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Participation in 401(k) (USA) and DCPP (Canada) with company matching.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid sick leave and vacation time.
• Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence in compliance with applicable laws.
• Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus; Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission.
• Development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director