Government Affairs Manager

Meet the Team

Cisco is seeking a government affairs and public policy professional to join its global Government Affairs team as Spain and Portugal Government Affairs Manager. Based in Madrid and reporting to the Vice President of Government Affairs for Europe, this individual will help lead Cisco’s government engagements and public policy efforts throughout Spain and Portugal. 

Cisco’s Government Affairs team represents the company with governments around the world to build relationships with key leaders, advance Cisco’s public policy goals, and educate governments about our industry. Government Affairs is involved in all key legislative, regulatory, and global issues that impact the technology industry.

We are comprised of government and public policy experts across two dozen countries who represent Cisco at the highest levels of government. The team has extensive experience in and out of government and are recognized leaders in the industry.       

Your Impact

As Spain and Portugal Government Affairs Manager, you will represent Cisco with leaders at all levels of government to facilitate our engagement throughout both countries. You will play a pivotal role in formulating and implementing innovative policy solutions that advance Cisco’s business and enable our purpose to power an inclusive future for all.

Key responsibilities include:

• Cultivate strong relationships with key government leaders, elected officials, and policymakers to effectively convey Cisco’s perspective and strategic priorities
• Proactively engage Cisco in local policymaking and regulatory processes, including representing the company in industry coalitions, government hearings, and other relevant meetings
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies to help advance Cisco’s core public policy initiatives
• Support Cisco’s public sector sales and business development teams with political, policy, and purpose-driven initiatives
• Monitor and analyze political and policy trends across Spain and Portugal to advise on potential business implications
• Prepare and present position papers, regulatory filings, testimony, and briefings
• Work closely with Cisco’s leadership in Spain and Portugal and other senior executives globally, providing clear and concise explanations of complex regulatory and policy matters
• Foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing with Government Affairs colleagues in Europe and globally

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of political and public policy experience from roles within government, corporate government affairs, trade associations, law firms, and/or public policy institutions
• Comprehensive understanding of the political and regulatory landscape in Spain and Portugal, including the legislative and administrative processes involved in technology policy
• Familiarity with public policy issues impacting the technology industry locally and globally
• Near-native fluency in Spanish and English

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Telecommunications and technology-related experience in the private and public sectors
• Exceedingly strong political judgement and relationship-building skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and advocacy skills
• Degree in political science, business, law, economics, or a similar field

In this role is required ability to travel throughout Spain and Portugal and, on occasion, more widely. And if you have Portuguese language skills too, that would be a good bonus.

Why Cisco

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put – we power the future. 

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. 

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you. 

Why Cisco? 

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. 

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.