Dir, EMEA Public Policy & Government Affairs

About the role

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us! This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters. Job Summary The Director, EMEA Public Policy & Government Affairs will help expand and strengthen Palo Alto Networks' policy and government affairs practice across EMEA. You will develop and execute a public affairs strategy that deepens engagement with EU and NATO institutions, national governments, regulators, and strategic stakeholders, while positioning Palo Alto Networks as the cybersecurity partner of choice across the region. As a senior leader and expert in the field, you bring a unique blend of deep and broad policy, regulatory, and market knowledge, applying advanced professional concepts to resolve critical issues and shape forward-looking policy and business outcomes. A core focus of the role will be shaping public policies, identifying and enabling market opportunities created by new and evolving regulations, public investment priorities, and sovereign technology agendas.You will work closely with business leadership to translate policy developments into stronger market access, better customer relationships, and new growth opportunities. This role addresses highly complex, leading-edge issues that impact the future business direction, including the development of new concepts, approaches, and policy frameworks that inform products, methodologies, and go-to-market strategies. The position will focus primarily on European Union institutions, NATO agencies, and key public sector and government entities across EMEA countries. The role is based in Belgium and requires regular travel within the region.

Responsibilities

• Build and deepen relationships with senior government (policy and defense) officials, regulators, industry bodies, and other key stakeholders, establishing formal networks with key decision-makers across EMEA.
• Lead engagement on critical and emerging policy issues impacting the company and customers, including cybersecurity, AI, cloud, privacy, digital resilience, cyber defense and assistance, certifications, procurement, and data localization.
• Shape and influence leading-edge policy frameworks, developing resolutions to complex regulatory challenges while advancing future-oriented concepts that support the company's strategic direction.
• Identify and drive commercial opportunities arising from new regulations, government investment programs, and sovereignty-driven technology priorities.
• Partner closely with EMEA sales, public sector, and regional leadership teams to align policy engagement with strategic business priorities and growth objectives.
• Facilitate and lead senior-level business engagements with governments, EU institutions, NATO, and other strategic organizations.
• Develop policy positions, executive briefings, consultation responses, and advocacy materials in support of company priorities.
• Strengthen Palo Alto Networks' reputation as a trusted partner and thought leader on Europe's cybersecurity, defense, and AI agenda.
• Support and prepare senior executives for high-level external engagements, events, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and teams that help define the direction of new products, policy approaches, and strategic initiatives across the organization.
• Manage trade associations, consultants, and external advisors where appropriate and needed.

Requirements

• Your Experience
• Typically 15+ years of relevant experience in public policy, government affairs, regulatory strategy, or related fields.with a Bachelor's degree; or 12+ years with a Master's degree
• Recognized expert with a strong combination of deep subject-matter expertise and broad cross-domain understanding across cybersecurity, AI, cloud, and digital policy.
• Demonstrated ability to work on highly complex, business-critical and forward-looking issues, devel

Additional Information

Our Mission At Palo Alto Networks®, we're united by a shared mission-to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you're in the right place.

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