Overview

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We believe in the power of a growth mindset and a drive to make a difference—grounded in a culture that encourages everyone to bring their best every day. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes by innovating and collaborating as we build solutions that shape the future.

Do you want to work at the intersection of emerging technology, public policy, and digital transformation in one of the world’s most digitally advanced regions? Are you passionate about engaging with governments and stakeholders to help shape policies that enable innovation, trust, and responsible adoption of new technologies?

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Government Affairs Director for Denmark & Iceland to lead Microsoft’s engagement across two strategically important markets in Northern Europe.

This role sits at the center of Microsoft’s work with governments and business stakeholders on key technology policy issues, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as quantum. You will help ensure that policy frameworks support innovation, economic growth, and societal resilience, while addressing important considerations around trust, security, digital sovereignty, and responsible technology use.

Microsoft has a growing presence in Denmark, including substantial investments in datacenters, digital skilling, and green partnerships that support both the public and private sectors. Microsoft employees more than 1,000 people in the country, collaborate with 3,500 local partners, and support 900 Danish startups. In addition, Lyngby is home to Microsoft’s biggest quantum lab globally, making Denmark an important partner in our work to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer. You will play an important role in connecting all these investments and partnerships with public policy discussions and stakeholder engagement.

You will be part of Microsoft’s CELA (Corporate, External & Legal Affairs) organization, working closely with colleagues across Europe North, EMEA and globally, and will support Microsoft Denmark’s commercial activities and priorities in Denmark with a particular focus on Public Sector.

This is a high-impact individual contributor role with significant complexity, visibility and responsibility, offering the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, shape policy discussions, support strategic engagement, and represent Microsoft in important external forums.

Responsibilities

Analysis and Strategy

Track and analyze policy, regulatory, geopolitical, and market developments in Denmark, Iceland, and the broader European context, with a focus on implications for technology and innovation.
Contribute to Microsoft’s country-level policy agenda and strategic priorities, aligned with regional and global perspectives.
Identify emerging issues and help coordinate responses across topics such as responsible AI, cloud, cybersecurity, quantum, energy and datacenters.
Prepare clear and insightful briefings, policy updates, and strategic materials for internal stakeholders and leadership.
Translate policy developments into practical insights and guidance for business and engineering teams.
Contribute to the development of constructive, balanced policy positions that support innovation and address societal need including at EU level.
Drive implementation of Microsoft’s strategic initiatives by collaborating across business groups, partners, and external stakeholders.

External Engagements & Partnerships

Build and maintain trusted relationships with government institutions, regulators, business associations, thinktanks, civil society, and other key stakeholders in Denmark and Iceland.
Represent Microsoft in meetings, conferences, and public forums, contributing to dialogue on technology and digital transformation.
Support strategic engagements that enable public sector digital transformation and cloud/AI adoption in close cooperation with the Public Sector team.
Support Microsoft’s societal partnerships e.g. in digital skilling and cyber security to advance responsible technology use to the benefit of society.
Work with the Communications Lead to support narrative development, media positioning, and awareness efforts across Denmark and Iceland.

Internal Collaboration

Drive collaboration across CELA, Public Sector, MCAPS, CO+I, Engineering, Security, and other business teams.
Collaborate with Microsoft’s European Government Affairs team in Brussels around key EU regulatory and policy files.
Lead or support cross‑functional initiatives that require alignment across multiple subsidiaries, including across the Nordic-Baltic region.
Resolve competing priorities and ensure coherence in messaging, policy approach, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field AND demonstrable experience in government affairs, public policy, corporate affairs, or government. OR demonstrable experience working as a government affairs, public affairs, or public policy professional in government, a multinational organization, a corporate government affairs office, an industry association, coalition or equivalent group or a policy-focused research institution.
OR equivalent experience
Experience developing and managing strategic relationships to influence technology, digital, or public‑policy priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working directly with government officials, policy stakeholders, or international organizations in Denmark and/or the Nordic region.
Understanding of key digital policy areas, including cloud, cybersecurity, AI governance and adoption, and data protection, combined with an interest in broader technology and geopolitical trends.
Ability to develop and execute medium- to long-term strategies and advocacy efforts addressing complex, multi-stakeholder issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and law.
Ability to operate independently in fast-paced environments, with a high degree of comfort navigating ambiguity and complexity.

Why this role

This Is An Opportunity To

Contribute to shaping policy discussions around transformative technologies
Work closely with governments and stakeholders in a highly digital and forward-looking region
Be part of a company with significant local presence and long-term commitment to Denmark and Iceland
Collaborate across local and global teams to support innovation, trust, and responsible technology adoption

Government Affairs IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across Denmark is kr 788,300.00 - kr 1,301,000.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find Additional Benefits And Pay Information Here

https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/denmark-corporate-pay.html

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

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