Vice President, Head of Government Affairs

Coherent Corp.•Santa Clara, CA

2h•$178,200 - $311,850•Hybrid

About The Position

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (JD, MPP, MBA, or equivalent) strongly preferred
15-20+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or regulatory leadership roles
Significant experience engaging with senior government officials across multiple geographies
Prior leadership of global or multi-regional teams
Experience in a multinational corporation and/or senior government role strongly preferred
Proven ability to influence policy at the highest levels globally
Deep understanding of international political, regulatory, and trade environments
Exceptional executive presence and ability to engage with C-suite, Board members, and government leaders
Strong strategic and geopolitical thinking with clear business acumen
Ability to operate effectively in a complex, matrixed, global organization
Outstanding communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
High integrity, judgment, and discretion
Ability to travel extensively (domestic and international)
Regular use of standard office equipment
Strong verbal and written communication capabilities

Responsibilities

Define and lead a comprehensive global government affairs strategy aligned with corporate objectives and long-term growth priorities.
Serve as a senior advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board on public policy, geopolitical risk, and regulatory developments.
Anticipate and shape global legislative and regulatory trends impacting technology, manufacturing, trade, and supply chains.
Establish the company as a global thought leader on critical policy issues.
Build and maintain high-level relationships with senior government officials, regulators, and policymakers across key markets (U.S., Europe, Asia, and emerging regions).
Represent the company in global policy forums, industry coalitions, multilateral organizations, and trade associations.
Lead direct engagement with U.S. federal leadership while overseeing regional engagement strategies worldwide.
Position the company as a strategic partner to governments on industrial policy, innovation, and economic development.
Drive global advocacy strategies to influence legislation, regulation, and policy frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
Oversee development of company policy positions, white papers, and advocacy campaigns.
Direct the company's participation in industry groups, coalitions, and public-private partnerships.
Manage external advisors, lobbying firms, and consultants globally to ensure coordinated and effective advocacy.
Build, lead, and develop a global government affairs function, including regional heads and in-country resources.
Establish governance, operating models, and performance metrics for government affairs worldwide.
Allocate resources strategically across regions and priority policy areas.
Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and globally integrated team.
Partner with Legal, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Communications, and Business Unit leadership to align policy strategy with business objectives.
Integrate government affairs into key corporate decisions, including capital investments, market entry/exit, and supply chain strategy.
Support crisis management, risk mitigation, and issues response involving regulatory or political exposure.
Ensure alignment between government affairs, ESG priorities, and corporate reputation strategy.
Provide leadership on trade policy, export controls, sanctions, and international regulatory frameworks.
Assess geopolitical risks and advise on mitigation strategies affecting global operations and supply chains.
Support business continuity planning in response to policy shifts or political developments.
Guide engagement on incentives, subsidies, and government partnerships globally.
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.: Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust, Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas, Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome, Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone, Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work.