The Job

Senior Director, Government Affairs - Automotive, AI, and Emerging Technologies

Finance, Banking & Legal · Legal Services · Compliance & Regulatory

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In short

Qualcomm seeks a Senior Director for Government Affairs in Washington D.C. to lead advocacy for automotive, AI, and emerging technologies. This role focuses on policy engagement for connected and automated vehicles, AI, and related areas, requiring strong communication and strategic planning skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead policy advocacy for Qualcomm’s automotive and transportation priorities, including connected and automated vehicles, V2X/ITS, vehicle safety, cybersecurity, and data governance.
  • Develop and execute advocacy strategies with federal and state policymakers, industry organizations, think-tanks, and other external stakeholders.
  • Support selected emerging-technology priorities, including AI infrastructure, XR, robotics, industrial IoT, trade, and technology competitiveness.
  • Monitor legislative, regulatory, trade, and geopolitical developments and advise internal teams on potential business and product impacts.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, business, legal, standards, and communications teams to shape policy positions and external engagement strategies.
  • Prepare policy materials, executive briefings, talking points, regulatory comments, white papers, and thought leadership materials.
  • Leverage expert knowledge of government and related institutions to create and improve strategic programs, initiatives, or portfolios with cross-organizational and public impact.
  • Oversee and direct multiple teams across functional areas to support programs, initiatives, or portfolios.
  • Manage key stakeholder relationships with government and related institutions and develop long-term strategic partnerships.
  • Network with key stakeholders in other departments within Qualcomm and/or globally as well as contacts outside of Qualcomm to gain insight, ideas, and build strategic long-term connections.
  • Collaborate closely with high-level internal and external stakeholders globally to develop, oversee, and drive large initiatives.
  • Set the strategic direction and priorities across the functional area for advocating Qualcomm's position based upon expertise of Qualcomm products, technology and strategic roadmap; provides oversight to others on shaping highly complex and unique public issues.
  • Drive the strategic evolution across domains and defines roadmaps by collaborating with senior stakeholders across the business.
  • Drive research and analytical efforts on new or critical policies, regulations, laws, or other relevant issues and utilizes reports to oversee the management of programs, initiatives, or portfolios.
  • Has responsibility for budget development and management for multiple strategic programs, initiatives, or portfolios.
  • Oversee multiple, large, and extremely complex projects that are relatively diverse in nature and objectives.
  • Serve as a change agent by identifying strategic and long-term opportunities for change and then communicating the vision, implications, and rework associated with that change.
  • Make decisions that have implications across sites as well as global implications in order to create better alignment across departments.
  • Works independently with no supervision.
  • Provides supervision to other supervisors/managers who are direct reports.
  • Requires verbal and written communication skills to convey complex and/or detailed information to multiple individuals/audiences with differing knowledge levels.
  • Has a great degree of influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., is making or directly making key decisions that will have substantial impact over the organization).
  • Most tasks require multiple steps which can be performed in various orders; tasks require simultaneously executing multiple cognitive abilities and maintaining information in short or long-term memory while performing the task.
  • Regularly determines what needs to be done and is involved with sharing innovative solutions to achieve broad policies and objectives.
  • Works on abstract problems in variable situations that typically require complex analysis, interpretation, or evaluation of intangible factors.
  • Directs the resolution of complex problems that have impact beyond own area.
  • Participates in corporate development of methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people.
  • Responsible for implementing objectives established during strategic planning period.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Significant experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, legislative affairs, technology policy, or a related field.
  • Deep experience in automotive or transportation technology policy, including connected vehicles, automated driving, V2X/ITS, functional safety, cybersecurity, or related areas.
  • Proven ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior executives, policymakers, technical experts, legal teams, and business stakeholders.
  • Bachelor's degree in Government Affairs, Business, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Engineering, Legal, or related field.
  • 9+ years of Government Affairs, Communications, Industry Associations, or related work experience.

Desired Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Government Affairs, Business, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Engineering, Legal, or related field.
  • 10+ years of experience working with Government Affairs, Communications, Industry Associations, or related work experience.
  • Business fluent in English.
  • 3+ years of experience working in or with a large multinational organization.
  • 3+ years of working with operating budgets and/or project financials.
  • 4+ years in a leadership role with or without direct reports (only applies to positions with direct reports).
  • Familiarity with AI, including data center infrastructure, semiconductors, XR, robotics, industrial, wireless communications, edge computing, or technology competitiveness policy.
  • Experience engaging Federal agencies, Congress, State governments, international policymakers, and industry associations.
  • Strong writing, briefing, and executive communication skills, with experience developing policy positions, regulatory submissions, and external engagement materials.
  • Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear policy, business, and commercial implications.
  • Strong analytical, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and project management skills in a cross-functional environment.

Benefits

  • Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
  • Opportunity for annual RSU grants.
  • Highly competitive benefits package designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play.
  • Details about US benefits available at a link.
#Government Affairs#Automotive#AI#Emerging Technologies#Technology Policy#Connected Vehicles#Automated Driving#Cybersecurity#Data Governance#Smart Transportation#Public Policy#Advocacy#Regulation
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Company

Qualcomm

Job Posted

1 day ago

Employment Type

Full Time

WorkMode

On Site

Experience Level

Executive

Locations

Washington DC, United States of America

Qualification

Bachelor, Master

Applicants

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