VP, Federal Government Affairs

Salesforce•Washington DC, VA

14h

About The Position

Salesforce is seeking a strategic Vice President of Federal Government Affairs to help lead the company’s engagement with the U.S. federal government across both the legislative and executive branches. This leader will serve as a senior advocate before Congress and a trusted advisor on the defense, national security, and technology policy landscape that increasingly shapes Salesforce’s federal business — especially the work of Missionforce. As great-power competition, alliance modernization, and rapid technological disruption reshape national security priorities, this role sits at the intersection of policy, defense, and emerging technology. The ideal candidate brings deep congressional fluency together with substantive command of national security and defense policy, and the relationships across Capitol Hill and the broader national security enterprise to advance Salesforce’s federal agenda at a pivotal moment.

Requirements

15+ years of combined experience across Congress, the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and/or the national security enterprise, with demonstrated success navigating the federal legislative and policy process.
Significant congressional credential — prior experience as a senior congressional staffer, national security or defense advisor, committee counsel, or Member of Congress strongly preferred.
Substantive command of defense, intelligence, and national security policy, including the dynamics of great-power competition, alliance and coalition management, and defense industrial capacity.
Deep expertise in the NDAA and federal appropriations process, ideally with cross-sector experience spanning defense, technology, or adjacent fields.
Proven relationships with senior Members or staff on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and/or Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, and credibility across the broader national security community.
Strong understanding of defense policy, federal procurement, and the interplay between authorization and appropriations.
Exceptional political and strategic instincts, with the ability to read and respond to shifting legislative and geopolitical dynamics — especially in election cycles.
Experience managing and leveraging executive engagement opportunities — from briefing materials to staffing and follow-up with senior principals.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex policy and national security issues for executive audiences.
Experience working in or with the private sector on federal policy issues preferred.

Nice To Haves

prior experience as a senior congressional staffer, national security or defense advisor, committee counsel, or Member of Congress strongly preferred
ideally with cross-sector experience spanning defense, technology, or adjacent fields
Experience working in or with the private sector on federal policy issues preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as Salesforce’s senior representative and advocate before the U.S. Congress, with particular focus on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, and committees with jurisdiction over technology, national security, and IT modernization policy.
Lead strategy and execution around the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the federal appropriations process, identifying opportunities and managing risks across the full legislative cycle.
Translate a sophisticated understanding of defense, intelligence, and national security policy into actionable engagement strategy — anticipating how shifts in the strategic environment and great-power competition reshape federal priorities and procurement.
Build and maintain deep, bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and senior congressional leadership, as well as counterparts across the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and the interagency.
Develop and execute a comprehensive congressional engagement strategy that anticipates legislative trends.
Help manage outside consultants, advocacy partners, and coalition relationships in a manner that amplifies the company’s advocacy.
Partner cross-functionally with Salesforce’s policy, legal, communications, and sales teams — and with Missionforce — to align federal engagement with growth opportunities and business needs.
Represent Salesforce in coalitions, industry associations, and stakeholder forums with a federal and national security focus.
Track and analyze legislative and policy developments across defense, intelligence, technology, procurement, and appropriations, providing senior leadership with timely, actionable intelligence.
Advise on political and geopolitical dynamics and develop a long-term engagement strategy that deepens the company’s ties with key policymakers as committee control and congressional leadership evolve post-midterms.
Recruit, develop, and manage a team of government affairs professionals — focused on growth and impact, and adaptable enough to evolve with business needs.