Director, Education and Workforce Policy, Asia
Microsoft
We are looking for a Director, Education and Workforce Policy focused on the Asia region to advance policy and translate it into practice to support students, teachers, families, and workers in the age of AI.
This person will join the Global Education and Workforce Policy team in Microsoft Elevate to steer impactful initiatives across the Asia region. Acting as a key external representative for Microsoft, you’ll engage with regional and national officials, build meaningful relationships, and champion strategies that reflect Microsoft’s core values while advancing important policy and business goals. You will help guide Microsoft’s positions on critical education and workforce topics—such as the benefits and risks of AI, the impact of AI on work, responsible AI adoption, and how to ensure all citizens develop foundational AI literacy.
As Director, Education and Workforce Policy, you will collaborate closely with Microsoft Global Affairs in the Asia region, Elevate AI Skills Directors, and Microsoft’s sales organization to drive policy and the adoption of Microsoft’s products, services, and solutions among government and education clients. This high-impact position also interacts with senior Microsoft leaders and executives, as well as a broad range of internal and external audiences, amplifying Microsoft’s voice and advancing strategic goals. This role reports to the General Manager, Global Education and Workforce Policy.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Strategy & Program Leadership
- Execute the global education and workforce policy strategy through high-impact advocacy and programs in the Asia region, especially in target countries and localities.
- Lead the design and execution of key policy campaigns, collaborating across functions regionally and globally to amplify Microsoft’s voice.
Policy Development & Advocacy
- Lead regional policy analysis and recommendations on a diverse set of education and workforce issues, with a focus on AI.
- Localize the global education and workforce policy agenda to a region and country’s needs and political environment.
- Support adoption of AI literacy frameworks, standards, and guidance across education systems (K–12, vocational, higher education, and lifelong learning).
- Write policy briefs and responses to government requests for input.
- Anticipate emerging opportunities and threats and lead the development of forward-thinking strategies to address them.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Create coalitions or work with a diverse range of partners—from government agencies to think tanks and community leaders—aligning interests and turning stakeholders into advocates for Microsoft’s policy and business goals.
- Cultivate and sustain influential relationships with regional institutions, ministry staff, regulators, and opinion leaders, building Microsoft’s reputation as a trusted partner and thought leader.
- Convene and influence key stakeholders, including ministries, employers, labor unions, civil society, and workforce intermediaries.
- Strengthen public-private partnerships with government, including contributions to workforce hubs, advisory councils, and national digital skills initiatives.
Subject Matter Expertise & Influence
- Advise and collaborate with leaders to secure buy-in on policy positions and prepare leaders for public testimony on critical and complex issues.
- Develop national and regional workforce narratives, strategic memos, and policy briefs for senior leadership.
- Prepare executive materials for engagements, external meetings, parliamentary preparation, and strategy sessions.
- Author policy analysis and feedback that summarizes and shapes national and regional education and workforce ecosystems.
- Promote responsible AI in education principles across internal and external education and workforce programs.
Internal Collaboration
- Partner with regional and local Microsoft teams by providing policy analysis, insight briefs, recommendations, and meeting preparation.
- Engage regularly with regional government affairs teams to align country-level actions with global priorities.
- Lead and collaborate on high-impact, cross-group projects to develop actionable, scalable solutions for Microsoft’s education and workforce priorities.
- Provide thought leadership to overcome regulatory hurdles, partnering closely with the Public Sector and key business leaders to unlock new market opportunities.
- Open doors with policymakers, ministries, and institutions to advance Microsoft’s AI capacity-building solutions.
- Coordinate communications across departments to guarantee all stakeholders stay informed and engaged on evolving issues.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Education Policy, Technology Policy, or related field AND plus 6+ years of experience in government affairs, corporate affairs, public policy, or government, or related area.
- OR equivalent experience.
- A track record of building and managing strategic relationships to champion education and/or workforce policy priorities.
- Demonstrated expertise in AI literacy, responsible AI in education, or digital skills policy.
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience working with government ministries, regional/global institutions, unions, or large cross-sector alliances.
- Familiarity with emerging technology policy issues, or the ability to quickly master complex technical and regulatory topics.
- Experience crafting responses to legislative and policy processes.
- Exceptional political awareness, analytical ability, and government relations expertise.
- Strong writing, analysis, communication, and project management skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage complex workstreams, and build trust with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced environment and contribute across a wide range of policy activities.
#CELA
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.