Head of Government Affairs GC

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At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

Head of Government Affairs GC

Role Purpose

Lead SAP’s Government Affairs agenda across Greater China as the functional leader. The role will position SAP as a trusted technology partner, shape policy discussions relevant to the business, and help SAP navigate regulatory and geopolitical developments affecting Cloud, Business AI, data, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty and industrial transformation.

The role is a senior individual contributor role reporting to the Asia Pacific Head of Government Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a Greater China Government Affairs strategy aligned with SAP’s business priorities and regional and global policy positions.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with central, provincial and municipal government stakeholders, regulators, industry associations, think tanks and other policy influencers.
• Monitor and analyze political, legislative and regulatory developments; translate them into clear implications, risks, opportunities and recommended actions for SAP leaders and business teams.
• Lead policy engagement on AI, cloud, data governance and cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, technology policy, digital sovereignty, trade, intellectual property and sustainability.
• Prepare policy positions, consultation responses, briefing notes, executive talking points and stakeholder engagement plans that clearly articulate SAP’s perspective.
• Plan and deliver senior-level government engagements for SAP executives, including stakeholder mapping, meeting preparation, messaging, follow-up and outcome tracking.
• Represent SAP independently at government consultations, industry forums, chambers of commerce, standards discussions and relevant external events.
• Partner with Sales, Product, Legal, Security, Compliance and Communications to support strategic opportunities, address policy issues and manage regulatory and/or reputational risks.
• Identify credible platforms for SAP thought leadership and develop partnerships, policy papers and events that strengthen SAP’s voice in China’s digital economy and industrial transformation agenda.
• Provide timely geopolitical and market-access insights, including developments affecting SAP’s operating environment.
• Work and lead the third-party engagements by global consultants and advisory firms.
• Maintain disciplined stakeholder and issue-management plans, establish measurable objectives, and report progress and outcomes to regional and global Government Affairs leadership.
• Operate with a high degree of independence, judgement and accountability while collaborating closely with Government Affairs colleagues across Asia Pacific and globally.

Experience and Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, diplomacy or a related field.
• Demonstrated success engaging senior government officials and navigating policy or regulatory environments in China.
• Strong understanding of China’s political, economic, technology and regulatory landscape, with sound geopolitical judgement.
• Experience in technology, cloud, software, AI, cybersecurity or the digital economy strongly preferred.
• Executive presence, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Native-level Mandarin proficiency is required. Candidates must also demonstrate business-level English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, international relations, law, economics, political science or business preferred.

Bring out your best
SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion
SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility 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: Careers@sap.com.

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.

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

We are ethical and compliant
Our leadership credo: Do what’s right. Make SAP better for generations to come. We believe that great leadership extends far beyond the mere pursuit of business goals. We value and foster leadership that is driven with purpose and integrity. Our leaders are role models who uphold SAP’s values and shape SAP’s culture of integrity, by demonstrating and championing ethical and compliant behavior towards all stakeholders.

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Requisition ID: 458705 | Work Area: Communication | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time | Additional Locations: #LI-Hybrid