[Hiring] Director, EMEA Public Policy & Government Affairs @Palo Alto Networks

Role Description

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.

• Shape public policies and identify market opportunities created by new regulations, public investment priorities, and sovereign technology agendas.
• Work closely with business leadership to translate policy developments into stronger market access, better customer relationships, and new growth opportunities.
• Address highly complex, leading-edge issues that impact future business direction.
• Focus primarily on European Union institutions, NATO agencies, and key public sector and government entities across EMEA countries.
• Position based in Belgium with regular travel within the region.

Your Impact

• Build and deepen relationships with senior government officials, regulators, industry bodies, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead engagement on critical and emerging policy issues impacting the company and customers, including cybersecurity, AI, cloud, privacy, digital resilience, cyber defense, and data localization.
• Shape and influence leading-edge policy frameworks and develop resolutions to complex regulatory challenges.
• Identify and drive commercial opportunities arising from new regulations and government investment programs.
• Partner closely with EMEA sales, public sector, and regional leadership teams.
• Facilitate and lead senior-level business engagements with governments and strategic organizations.
• Develop policy positions, executive briefings, consultation responses, and advocacy materials.
• Strengthen Palo Alto Networks’ reputation as a trusted partner and thought leader.
• Support and prepare senior executives for high-level external engagements and strategic partnerships.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and teams that help define the direction of new products and strategic initiatives.
• Manage trade associations, consultants, and external advisors as needed.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong understanding of EU policymaking and how regulation impacts technology markets.
• Experience engaging on policies related to cybersecurity, AI, privacy, cloud, data flows, sovereignty, defense, and resilience.
• Established network across EU institutions, defense agencies, member states, NATO, and relevant stakeholder communities is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with high independence and influence senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, strategic thinking skills.
• English fluency required; French and additional European languages are an asset.
• A NATO security clearance is an asset.

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability.

• Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer.
• We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.
• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.