Global Policy and Government Affairs (GPGA), Director, Europe - UK

The Director of Global Policy and Government Affairs for Europe will be responsible for managing the development and implementation of Cisco’s public policy initiatives throughout the region at national and local levels as they relate to our strategic partnerships with government, associations, international organizations, customers and partners. The role of this position is to manage and execute on Cisco’s public policy priorities by developing relationships with government officials directly and indirectly to successfully drive our corporate fiscal issues, as well as advanced technology policy goals.

This role is a critical leadership position for Cisco and a unique opportunity to continue to build on a strong presence with government leaders and other key stakeholders across Europe, at European Commission, Parliament and dozens of national governments. The position will be based in Bedfont Lakes and will report to Laura Ipsen, SVP GPGA, who reports to Sue Bostrom, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), both based in San Jose, California. It will also closely align and interface regularly with Chris Dedicoat, SVP and President of our European Theatre.

The ideal candidate must have exceptional leadership skills, strong verbal and written communications skills, executive presence, a strong background in public policy, public affairs and domestic and international politics in the European theatre.
• Extend and develop Cisco’s government affairs strategy and organization across the European theatre.
• Manage European GPGA operations including staff in Brussels.
• Identify, develop and implement our public policy agenda.
• Manage day to day operational functions to include quarterly reporting on goals and objectives, budget requirements, events and content development for the GPGA internal and external websites.
• Work with executive team to develop thought leadership strategies on a broad range of tech policy issues specific to broadband, security, VoIP, video, green, etc.
• Engage with leadership of GPGA team to address corporate policy issues such as fiscal/tax, trade, standards, environmental and other issues important to Cisco’s success in operating in the region.
• Interface with internal partner groups to assess new issues and support partner organizations such as public sector sales, Internet Business Solutions Group, Public Relations, Marketing, Corporate Development Council and others.
• Manage and engage trade associations at country and regional levels.
• Provide strong executive support for the leadership across Europe and other individuals in leadership positions for interfacing with senior government officials working cross-functionally with area experts.
• Provide oversight and support for all governmental meetings, delegations, and events in Europe and delegations travelling to San Jose.
• Hire and manage outside consulting, think tanks, and academic resources.
• Represent Cisco at member coalition and industry group meetings.
• Build partnerships within industry and across other industry sectors.


		Qualifications:		Bachelors Degree (political science, government, or public policy) Law : Jurist
		Experience:		10 years +
		Languages:		French : Speak / Write Fluently English : Speak / Write Fluently
		Job-Type:		open-ended
		Remuneration:		unspecified
		Permit Type:		EU National
		Region:		International

• The ideal candidate will have extensive public policy and political experience with European countries with a strong emphasis on the largest economies including The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, as well as the European Commission and European Parliament, and preferably from a combination of public and private sector experiences.
• In addition, he/she should ideally have experience in working on technology, telecom and Internet-related policy, and an equal or greater amount of management experience.
• Current position likely to be from one of the following with experience from more than one:
- Head of Cabinet/Deputy Head of Cabinet/Adviser for an EC Commissioner; Policy Adviser, Government Affairs Adviser for top EU government official
- Former Member of Parliament or other former senior government official
- Policy Director in Government or Public Affairs at a medium to large corporation (technology, communications, or telecom company)
- Policy Leader at a technology trade association, think tank, or consulting firm.
• Academic background should include a minimum of a BA/BS degree in a relevant area such as political science, government, or public policy. An advanced degree in political science, business, and/or law degree is highly preferred.
• Linguistic skills should include proficiency in English, French and 1-2 other languages important to this region.
• Candidate should also possess the following skills:
- Executive Presence: Outstanding leadership skills and proven abilities to influence policy making in government and private sector capacities. Also requires solid experience in handling controversial issues within the region and externally with key countries in the European theatre, and with multi-national organizations such as OECD, EU, WTO, NATO, etc. Ability to deal effectively with senior executive business and government leaders with the presence and credibility to secure support, buy-in, and enthusiasm internally and externally for a course of action. Must also possess excellent relationship building and networking skills. The ability to influence and work cross functionally, gaining respect from direct reports as well as peers across the organization.
- Presentation and Communications: Requires background and experience in public speaking and multi-lingual presentation skills. Experience in discussing and promoting local, regional, and national public policies related to technology and telecommunications with a variety of audiences including government, business and associations required. Highly developed written and verbal communication and influence skills required. Significant public speaking experience at industry events, government representative or other venues required.
- Strategic Management and Leadership: Outstanding strategic capabilities and demonstrated intellectual prowess; someone who is motivated by solving complex policy issues and understands the dynamics between different governmental and non-governmental individuals and organizations. Ability to manage and lead cross- functional and virtual teams to facilitate global policy initiatives. Must possess skills in working with and promoting objectives of Cisco’s business leaders working with the local and national governments in a variety of countries across Europe.
- Public Policy Content and Strategy: Experience in identifying and crafting strategies on a variety of Internet, telecom and information technology issues. Reputation as an established expert within industry circles on public policy issues in tech and a proven passion for the government affairs area.
- Personal Attributes: Candidate’s personal qualities should include the ability to be diplomatic, discrete, and tactful both internally and externally. Diplomacy is the fine balance of knowing when to press a point and when to let go. He/she must also have a keen sense of teamwork and ability to build trust and respect with other team members across multiple geographies. Ethics, integrity, trust and transparency are essential for this leadership role not only in attaining results, but how they are produced.

Les solutions réseaux Cisco basées sur le protocole Internet (IP) sont au cœur de l'Internet et de la plupart des réseaux privés ou publics à travers le monde. Cisco fournit la gamme la plus étendue de solutions pour le transport des données, de la voix et de la vidéo.

Cisco