Requisition ID: 289564
Work Area: Communication
Expected Travel: 0 - 10%
Career Status: Professional
Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

SAP started in 1972 as a team of five colleagues with a desire to do something new. Together, they changed enterprise software and reinvented how business was done. Today, as a market leader in enterprise application software, we remain true to our roots. That’s why we engineer solutions to fuel innovation, foster equality and spread opportunity for our employees and customers across borders and cultures.
SAP values the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering creativity and building lasting relationships with our employees. We know that a diverse and inclusive workforce keeps us competitive and provides opportunities for all. We believe that together we can transform industries, grow economics, lift up societies and sustain our environment. Because it’s the best-run businesses that make the world run better and improve people’s lives.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

SAP’s Government Affairs division carries out the advocacy and lobbying efforts in markets where it does business. Government Affairs is part of the SAP Global Government Affairs Department which positions SAP and our leaders as before influential government audiences on select, highly relevant topics and to support SAP´s business objectives. Our core priorities include public policy; business support and thought leadership. The Senior Manager of U.S. State Government Affairs will join a growing, dynamic team and be able to immediately and directly enhance SAP’s advocacy at the U.S. state level by supporting our Public Sector business. This position reporting directly to the Vice President and Head of U.S. Government Affairs will play a critical role for our team by working with U.S. state and local government leaders to develop and achieve the company’s policy, political, business and relationship goals in a way that reflects the values of SAP.

EXPECTATIONS AND TASKS

BASIC RESPONSIBILITY:

• The Senior Manager of U.S. State Government Affairs, West Region will be responsible for state and local legislative and executive branch lobbying and will also work directly with our U.S. Public Sector sales organization in its efforts to sell SAP’s products, services and solutions to government and education customers. In sum, the role’s basic responsibilities include:
• Create and execute U.S. state and local government affairs objectives in assigned states and local municipalities located in the U.S. West region.
• Provide advice for U.S. State Government Affairs, including Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs. Leads strategic oversight to support business objectives. Identifies and manages risks to the business and serves as trusted advisor and business partner to the Executive team by providing strategic political advice and managing external consultants.
• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory issues at the state and local government level that may impact business operations. Assist in developing and executing strategic plans to advocate for our legislative and regulatory priorities with state government agencies, commissions, and legislatures.
• Represent the company in meetings with local and state elected and appointed officials, trade associations, advocacy groups and other relevant individuals and organizations to advocate for our business priorities.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Manager of U.S. State Government Affairs will be the principal face of SAP among state and local government officials in the assigned Western States. The specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist both the VP, Head of U.S. Government Affairs and the Head of U.S. State Government Affairs in the direction and organization of all efforts within designated region in the U.S. Government Affairs department.
• Identify and influence government action that may impact SAP’s business.
• Work closely with the public sector sales teams at the local and state level to drive adoption and usage of SAP technology solutions.
• Develop and maintain external relationships with elected officials in your region including state legislatures, governors, mayors and regulators.
• Promote SAP as a local and global leader in providing software, services and solutions to help improve people’s lives and organizations run better.
• Develop a working knowledge of states’ technology legislation, regulations, and practices; advocate for public policy positions including, but not limited to issues of digital government, technology, privacy, cybersecurity, sustainability, cloud, IoT, tax, procurement, supply chain and market access.
• Monitor state legislation in assigned region and react accordingly; testify, educate, and work to advance pro-innovation legislation benefitting SAP.
• Manage government affairs consultants/lobbyists in select geographies.
• Drive and host audience visits to SAP facilities in the West region U.S. states.
• Prepare materials for senior executive team including position papers, policy briefings, presentations, and other materials related to government actions.
• Participate in political events as a representative of SAP America PAC.
• Represent SAP before our business and trade organizations.
• Represent SAP at external events, meetings and conferences as needed.
• Collect and share policy and intelligence on government activities, recommend and drive advocacy strategies and tactics which will drive value.
• Ensure compliance of lobbying and political activities with state and local laws/regulations and SAP’s Code of Business Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Bachelor's degree required; Prior state government experience, public policy and/or lobbying and advocacy background required.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• 7-10 years related work experience in State government and/or state government affairs, lobbying and advocacy or corporate external relations.
• B.A. degree in political science, public policy, or related field.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Credibility/ability and experience in influence policy debates.
• Ability to listen and discern what is being said verbally and through other communication which conveys deeper messages or issues.
• High level of self-motivation and customer focus with an acute understanding of business drivers and principles.
• Ability to effectively explain complex business models and influence policy decisions at all levels of government on behalf of SAP’s businesses.
• Experience in public policy decision-making and relationship building.
• Maintain a strong, extensive professional network among state and local government officials and advocacy organizations across multiple states.
• This is a dynamic team, and the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to all activities on the team as needed.

• A strict adherence and appreciation of ethics and compliance laws, regulations, and internal requirements.
• Any state or local bans on lobbying due to current or former government work experience need to be fully disclosed.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The successful candidate will have:

• Excellent communications skills (written and oral).
• Proven creative problem-solving history, ability to work well collaboratively and under pressure.
• Outstanding leadership and professional presence.
• Highly motivated self-starter, results orientated and must enjoy a fast-paced environment.
• Team player and willingness to pitch in when necessary.
• Keen attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• A strong record of reliability and the ability to develop new and creative ideas.
• An exemplary performance record and a clear reputation for ethical conduct.

• Outstanding people skills and a strong substantive ability to converse on complex public policy.
• A keen sense of protocol and the ability to work comfortably and effectively with top level government officials and with the senior leadership of SAP.
• The ability to be a quick study -- someone who can quickly learn the company’s issues and the business community’s perspective on them.

SAP'S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

To harness the power of innovation, SAP invests in the development of its diverse employees. We aspire to leverage the qualities and appreciate the unique competencies that each person brings to the company.

WHAT YOU GET FROM US
Success is what you make it. At SAP, we help you make it your own.
A career at SAP can open many doors for you. If you’re searching for a company that’s dedicated to your ideas and individual growth, recognizes you for your unique contributions, fills you with a strong sense of purpose, and provides a fun, flexible and inclusive work environment – apply now.

SAP'S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
To harness the power of innovation, SAP invests in the development of its diverse employees. We aspire to leverage the qualities and appreciate the unique competencies that each person brings to the company.

SAP is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team. (Americas:Careers.NorthAmerica@sap.com or Careers.LatinAmerica@sap.com, APJ: Careers.APJ@sap.com, EMEA: Careers@sap.com). Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability:
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.

Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.
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