Federal Government Relations & Public Policy Lead

SAS • Cary, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Federal Government Relations & Public Policy Lead leads SAS’s engagement with the U.S. Congress, senior executive branch officials, industry associations, and policy stakeholders. Reporting to senior leadership, the role develops and executes a bipartisan federal advocacy strategy to advance business objectives, protect company interests, and strengthen SAS’s reputation as a trusted technology leader.

The position advises executives on public policy, legislative, and regulatory developments affecting the technology industry, including artificial intelligence, data privacy, cybersecurity, digital trade, intellectual property, and emerging technology regulation. It builds and maintains influential relationships across government and industry while ensuring compliance with lobbying and ethics requirements. The role is hybrid and based in the Washington, D.C. area or Cary, North Carolina.

The lead also collaborates with legal, business, product, sales, communications, and executive teams; manages external lobbying and policy relationships; prepares policy and stakeholder materials; and supports SAS’s thought leadership and reputation-building in Washington and the federal policy community. The position is expected to follow applicable security policies and processes in support of secure software development goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Communications, Political Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of federal government experience, including experience in Congress, a federal executive branch agency, corporate government relations or public affairs, or a government relations consulting or lobbying firm.
• Demonstrated success operating in a bipartisan manner and building trusted relationships across political parties and ideologies.
• Proven track record of developing and leading successful public policy or government affairs initiatives for a corporate client in the technology sector.
• Strong understanding of federal legislative, regulatory, and appropriations processes.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into actionable business recommendations for senior executives.
• Experience managing external consultants, lobbyists, coalitions, or trade association relationships.
• Equivalent combinations of related education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited U.S. law school or equivalent legal education outside the U.S. qualifying the candidate to work as an attorney in an in-house Legal Department.
• For U.S. applicants with a Juris Doctorate: admission to and good standing with at least one state bar.
• Experience working on artificial intelligence, data privacy, cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital commerce, intellectual property, or technology procurement issues.
• Existing relationships within Congress, federal agencies, industry associations, and the technology policy community.
• Experience supporting publicly traded companies or large multinational organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive federal government relations and public policy strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agencies, administration officials, and policy influencers.
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate legislative, regulatory, and political developments affecting the company’s business interests.
• Lead advocacy efforts on priority policy issues affecting the technology sector.
• Represent the company before Congress, federal agencies, trade associations, coalitions, and industry forums.
• Advise executive leadership on policy risks, opportunities, and strategic engagement plans.
• Collaborate with legal, business, product, sales, communications, and executive teams to develop unified policy positions and support sales leaders engaging with agency officials.
• Develop and manage relationships with outside lobbying firms, consultants, associations, and coalition partners.
• Prepare policy briefs, testimony, executive talking points, position papers, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure compliance with federal lobbying, ethics, campaign finance, and disclosure requirements.
• Support the company’s thought leadership and reputation-building efforts in Washington, D.C., and across the federal policy community.
• Follow applicable security policies and processes in support of the organization’s secure software development goals.
• Embrace the company’s values of curiosity, passion, authenticity, and accountability.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans.
• PPO medical plan option with low annual deductible and copays.
• HDHP medical plan option combined with a health savings account and employer contribution.
• Free onsite health care center for employees and family members enrolled in the PPO plan; pharmacy available, with prescriptions shipped at no additional charge for those not local to headquarters.
• Industry-leading 401(k) plan.
• Tuition Assistance Program and development programs and resources.
• Vacation time and a variety of paid holidays.
• U.S. Winter Wellness Break between December 25 and January 1.
• Volunteer Time Off.
• Parental leave.
• Unlimited paid sick days.
• Childcare benefits for full-time employees.

What This Job Offers

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