[Hiring] Director, Government Relations — National Security and Economic Security Policy @Ciena

Role Description

The Director, Government Relations — National Security and Economic Security Policy will lead the company’s engagement on government initiatives that affect the development, manufacture, movement, sale, and trusted use of networking equipment worldwide.

Reporting to the Vice President, Government Relations, the Director will:

• Anticipate and help shape national-security, economic-security, supply-chain, cybersecurity, trade, and technology policies.
• Translate evolving government requirements into clear business implications.
• Coordinate the company’s policy response across various functions.

The role requires a global perspective, understanding how national policies interact across jurisdictions and affect broader operations and market access.

Core Responsibilities

• Policy Monitoring and Risk Assessment
  • Develop public policy priorities for the company, weighing risk, impact, and the company’s ability to influence policy positions.
  • Monitor and assess national-security and economic-security initiatives affecting telecommunications and networking equipment.
  • Evaluate the effects of proposed policies on various operational aspects.
  • Develop practical risk assessments and executive recommendations.
  • Maintain a global view of potentially conflicting requirements.
• Government Engagement and Advocacy
  • Develop and execute advocacy strategies for national-security policies.
  • Represent the company and build relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Develop company positions and supporting materials.
  • Advance company priorities through direct engagement and industry coalitions.
• Priority Policy Portfolio
  • Telecommunications supply-chain and product-security requirements.
  • Cybersecurity conditions affecting critical infrastructure.
  • Foreign investment and cross-border technology controls.
  • Data, cloud, AI, and technology-sovereignty policies.
  • Industrial-policy incentives and government programs.
  • International alignment on telecommunications security.

Leadership Attributes

• Think strategically while remaining attentive to operational detail.
• Recognize the commercial consequences of policy developments.
• Comfortable operating at the intersection of national security, technology, and business.
• Build trust across technical, legal, commercial, and government audiences.
• Engage constructively with policymakers.
• Communicate complex issues clearly for timely executive decisions.
• Combine a global outlook with appreciation of country-specific dynamics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, international affairs, law, economics, political science, engineering, cybersecurity, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in government, corporate government relations, public policy, national security, or related fields.
• Demonstrated understanding of national-security and economic-security policies.
• Experience engaging senior government officials and legislators.
• Ability to analyze complex policy proposals.
• Strong writing, briefing, advocacy, and communication skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional work.
• Sound judgment in handling sensitive matters.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in law, public policy, international affairs, business, or related discipline (nice to have).
• Experience with telecommunications networks and advanced-technology industries (nice to have).
• Familiarity with export controls and cybersecurity regulation (nice to have).
• Experience working across North America, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific (nice to have).
• Government service in a national-security or related role (nice to have).
• Experience developing advocacy strategies (nice to have).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time.
• Compliance with laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

Pay Range

The salary range for this role in the DC area is $161,700 - $258,300. Pay ranges at Ciena accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission.

Company Description

Ciena is committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. We value the diversity of our workforce and do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.