Microsoft is committed to supporting an economically vibrant Washington state where everyone can live, work, and thrive through investments in education, transportation, housing, human services, sustainability, arts and culture and civic life. Microsoft's Washington State & Global Employee Engagement (WSGEE) team sits at the intersection of public policy, philanthropy, and employee engagement, and is responsible for strengthening the company's long-term trust, credibility, and impact across Washington State.
To lead the next chapter of our community investment in Washington, we are hiring a Director of Community Affairs. This is a senior leadership role on the WSGEE team, accountable for Microsoft's philanthropy, relationships and leadership with nonprofit organizations, community organizations and civic leaders who serve the Puget Sound region and the state. The Director will lead sector-based strategy development, grant making, leadership engagement, partnerships, and community relations for key sectors of the Microsoft portfolio, including housing, human services, arts, culture and civic life.
Equally important, the Director will create high-visibility moments that showcase Microsoft's role in the community and partner closely with Government Affairs, Employee Engagement, Marketing and Communications to connect our advocacy work to specific nonprofit engagements and to mobilize the time, talent, and resources of Microsoft employees in support of the community.
The position will be based at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington.
Responsibilities
Philanthropy Strategy, Program Operation and Oversight
- Lead Microsoft's Washington State philanthropic strategy, execution and community relations for housing, human services, arts, culture and civic life.
- Build and manage partnerships, community action with nonprofits, philanthropy, and community-based organizations to support Microsoft’s Washington State Impact Agenda.
- Lead grant program design, budgeting, execution, monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting; ensure consistent governance, auditability, and program integrity across the portfolio.
- Manage a clear give/get framework that sets expectations for employee engagement integration, board service, marketing, events and policy alignment.
- Develop processes to facilitate program development, outreach, and execution, and lead the assessment of program feasibility and extension to new community partners and geographies.
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- Build and steward deep, trusted relationships with a portfolio of priority nonprofit organizations, philanthropy organizations and community leaders across the Puget Sound region and Washington State.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader. Represent Microsoft in community forums, coalitions, advisory groups, funder-tables, and boards; surface insights on regional dynamics, risks, and opportunities for senior leadership.
- Lead the identification and management of partnerships (nonprofit, civic, philanthropic, academic, advocacy) to advance Microsoft's agenda and lead major improvements to programs based on community and stakeholder feedback.
- Actively seek out innovative best practices and programs to help inform strategy.
High-Visibility Moments and Storytelling
- Design and execute high-visibility moments — site visits, signature events, announcements, media moments, and executive engagements — that demonstrate Microsoft's contributions and the impact of our partnerships with the community and nonprofits.
- Partner with communications and marketing colleagues to translate community philanthropy, programs and relationships into compelling narratives across earned, owned, and social channels.
- Serve as a Microsoft spokesperson in select community settings, including panels, events, and stakeholder convenings, and shape executive messaging on Microsoft's community impact in Washington.
Cross-Functional Leadership with Government Affairs and Employee Engagement
- Partner with Government Affairs to connect Microsoft's policy and advocacy priorities — including housing affordability, human services, arts, culture and civic life — to specific nonprofit engagements, community initiatives and community coalitions.
- Partner with the Employee Engagement team to leverage the capacity of Microsoft employees for giving, volunteering, board service, and skills-based volunteerism in support of priority Washington nonprofits and Impact Agenda outcomes.
- Work in partnership with key stakeholders across the company to ensure Microsoft is developing a coordinated approach and leveraging company assets in the most impactful way.
- Collaborate with other Microsoft teams such as Elevate, Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Public Sector, to help land company initiatives “first and best” in Washington state
People and Program Management
- Manage program budgets, vendor and partner relationships, and resource allocation; establish KPIs and dashboards for grant performance, community sentiment, and Impact Agenda outcomes.
- Identify and mitigate programmatic, reputational, and political risks associated with nonprofit partnerships and grantmaking decisions.
Qualifications
Required / Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree AND 6+ years work experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR), philanthropies, corporate affairs, government affairs, business and international development, or related area OR equivalent experience.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience managing a corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, or community affairs program at scale.
- 3+ years of people or team management experience.
- Deep, trusted relationships with nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and civic institutions in the Puget Sound region; strong understanding of the Washington State nonprofit ecosystem and the issues facing our region.
- Demonstrated success achieving corporate outcomes through the design and operation of corporate social responsibility programs, including grantmaking program design, diligence, and impact measurement.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with executive-level presence; demonstrated marketing and public affairs skills, including the ability to design and execute high-visibility public moments.
- Familiarity with corporate responsibility, philanthropic partnerships, and ESG principles; understanding of local and regional dynamics in the Puget Sound region and the Cascadia corridor.
- Experience operating in complex, multi-stakeholder, highly matrixed environments and partnering effectively with Government Affairs, Communications, HR, Legal, and business teams.
Government Affairs IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $132,200 - $258,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,800 - $278,900 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
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 orientatio
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