VP, Federal Government Affairs

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Maryland, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Act as the primary representative and advocate for Salesforce before the U.S. Congress, focusing particularly on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, and committees overseeing technology, national security, and IT modernization policy.

• Oversee the strategy and implementation related to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the federal appropriations process, identifying potential opportunities and mitigating risks throughout the entire legislative cycle.

• Convert a nuanced understanding of defense, intelligence, and national security policy into a practical engagement strategy—anticipating changes in the strategic landscape and great-power competition that influence federal priorities and procurement.

• Establish and nurture strong, bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and senior congressional leadership, alongside counterparts in the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and other agencies.

• Create and implement a thorough congressional engagement strategy that foresees legislative trends.

• Assist in managing external consultants, advocacy partners, and coalition relationships in a way that enhances the company’s advocacy efforts.

• Collaborate across various teams at Salesforce—policy, legal, communications, and sales—as well as with Missionforce—to align federal engagement with growth prospects and business requirements.

• Represent Salesforce in coalitions, industry associations, and stakeholder forums that focus on federal and national security issues.

• Monitor and evaluate legislative and policy developments across defense, intelligence, technology, procurement, and appropriations, providing senior leadership with timely and actionable insights.

• Offer advice on political and geopolitical trends and formulate a long-term engagement strategy that strengthens the company’s connections with key policymakers as committee control and congressional leadership change post-midterms.

• Recruit, develop, and lead a team of government affairs professionals, focusing on growth and impact while remaining adaptable to evolving business needs.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 15 years of combined experience within Congress, the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and/or the national security sector.

• Strong congressional credentials—prior experience as a senior congressional staff member, national security or defense advisor, committee counsel, or Member of Congress is highly preferred.

• In-depth knowledge of defense, intelligence, and national security policy, including the dynamics of great-power competition, alliance and coalition management, and defense industrial capacity.

• Extensive expertise in the NDAA and federal appropriations processes, ideally with cross-sector experience encompassing defense, technology, or related fields.

• Established relationships with senior Members or staff on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and/or Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, along with credibility throughout the broader national security community.

• Strong grasp of defense policy, federal procurement, and the relationship between authorization and appropriations.

• Exceptional political and strategic instincts, with the ability to interpret and respond to shifting legislative and geopolitical circumstances—particularly during election cycles.

• Experience in managing and utilizing executive engagement opportunities—from briefing materials to staffing and follow-up with senior principals.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of simplifying complex policy and national security matters for executive audiences.

• Experience collaborating with or within the private sector on federal policy issues is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Time off programs

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Mental health support

• Paid parental leave

• Life and disability insurance

• 401(k)

• Employee stock purchasing program