Job Description

We help the world run better
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. 

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, East Region will be r esponsible for state and local legislative and executive branch lobbying and will 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 17 states as well as local municipalities in the U. S. East 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 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 East region 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; a dvocate 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 visits to SAP facilities in the East 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.

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, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability.

Compensation Range Transparency : SAP believes the value of pay transparency contributes towards an honest and supportive culture and is a significant step toward demonstrating SAP’s commitment to pay equity. SAP provides the annualized compensation range inclusive of base salary and variable incentive target for the career level applicable to the posted role. The targeted combined range for this position is 142,500 - 327100 (USD) USD. The actual amount to be offered to the successful candidate will be within that range, dependent upon the key aspects of each case which may include education, skills, experience, scope of the role, location, etc. as determined through the selection process. Any SAP variable incentive includes a targeted dollar amount and any actual payout amount is dependent on company and personal performance. Please reference this link for a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements:

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our .

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Requisition ID: 436115  | Work Area: Communication  | Expected Travel: 0 - 50%  | Career Status: Professional  | Employment Type: Regular Full Time   | Additional Locations:  #LI-Hybrid

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work experience placement, Local area, Immediate start, Worldwide, Flexible hours

Similar Jobs