Director, Government Affairs

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company’s award-winning success.

• Enrich your managerial and organizational talents – from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy
• Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development
• Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role

This role leads HARMAN’s government affairs strategy in China, shaping the company’s external positioning in a complex regulatory environment, while building and sustaining senior-level relationships with key regulators and industry stakeholders and establishing robust governance to advance business priorities.

As a trusted advisor to senior leadership at HARMAN, the role provides forward-looking insights on regulatory and policy developments—including U.S.–China relations, trade, export controls, and automotive and technology policy—to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and enable informed decision-making.

The role also supports business growth, particularly in the automotive sector, by facilitating market access and strengthening HARMAN’s position as a strategic partner to Chinese OEMs in their global expansion.

This is a strategic leadership role requiring deep industry knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to drive impact across complex, cross-functional environments.

The role reports to the Director, Global Government Affairs, with a dotted-line relationship to the China Managing Director.

What You Will Do

• Drive strategic alignment between the Chinese government affairs priorities and HARMAN’s business strategy and operations in China.
• Establish and institutionalize governance frameworks and operating procedures to manage interactions with government authorities, ensuring compliance, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Shape and elevate HARMAN’s positioning with Chinese government stakeholders by leveraging key platforms and ecosystems (government forums, industry associations, and major conferences) to enhance credibility, visibility, and policy intelligence.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to country leadership and key functions (Automotive BU, Legal, Global Supply Chain), providing actionable policy insights and guidance on government engagement.
• Partner closely with Global Government Affairs, translating complex and evolving regulatory developments into clear, actionable insights for headquarters to support informed decision-making and execution.
• Lead and coordinate government engagement across all HARMAN China business units, supporting business growth, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Anticipate and mitigate policy and geopolitical risks, proactively advising leadership on potential business impacts and strategic response options.

What You Need to Be Successful

• A bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or business management is preferable, and at least +10 years of government or external affairs experience for governments and/or the private sector.
• Experience in the automotive, technology, or related industries is highly preferred, with an understanding of connected vehicles, electronics, or digital technologies and their regulatory environment.
• Strong analytical skills, writing abilities, and business judgment.
• Experience developing courses of action and advising executive-level leaders and non-experts on policy and regulatory issues.
• Experience in monitoring and analyzing issues relating to policy and regulatory
• Awareness of and interest in geopolitical issues impacting business and the intersection at the country or regional level
• Excellent presentation skills, verbally and in written form (to include incorporating data and graphics into output on a routine basis).
• Ability to work under pressure, in a diverse and growing global team, and to work proactively and independently.
• Outstanding communication skills, including an ability to listen well, summarize, and present complex analysis of abstract issues while ensuring key messages and takeaways are clear and concise.
• Strong technical skills in using the Microsoft Office suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrable project management experience, especially leading projects and working groups consisting of cross-functional stakeholders and leaders.
• Relevant academic qualification in a subject which demonstrates interest in global affairs, regional or country-level politics, regulatory, security, and operating issues.
• Language: English proficiency is a must.

Bonus Points if You Have

• A mix of in-house and government experience
• MBA/EMBA or advanced/relevant degree
• Experience managing external counsel, agencies, and/or contractor support.
• Automotive and/or Consumer Electronics industry experience

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel.
• This role is eligible to work remotely full-time with occasional trips into various office locations as required (this could be on 24-hour notice)

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work one day per week for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development