Vice President, Government Affairs North America

We are looking for a VP Government Affairs North America who will help to develop and deliver a government affairs strategy in North America that aligns with the companys global strategy. This includes positioning De Beers as a trusted and responsible partner to government industry and academia recognized for its leadership in responsible business innovation and sustainable economic growth. The VP Government Affairs will be expected to ensure the companys voice is heard and respected in key policy debates that directly impact our business and reputation.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President Government Affairs and working closely with the Group CEO Executive Team and colleagues across the business the successful candidate will ensure De Beers builds and sustains the strategic relationships insights and influence needed to protect and advance its commercial interests.

This includes developing De Beers presence and capability in North America by building trusted relationships with government officials policymakers and opinion formers; monitoring and analysing political policy and regulatory developments to motivate for efforts to shape the business environment; and providing intelligence and advice to anticipate and manage risks while identifying and pursuing opportunities.

The Government Affairs function helps deliver our purpose by building understanding trust and influence with governments and institutions in key markets worldwide. By strengthening De Beers voice on critical issues from trade and sanctions to consumer protection technology innovation and responsible sourcing the team ensures the company is well positioned to protect and progress its commercial success.

The global Government Affairs team was established to deliver a step change in how De Beers engages with policymakers and shapes the environment in which we operate. This role represents an exciting opportunity to help define and deliver that vision in one of our most strategically important markets.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead De Beers government affairs and advocacy in the United States and Federal Canada with a focus on delivering measurable progress on priority objectives on natural diamonds and synthetic industrial diamond materials applications and innovation.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Executive and Legislative branches including the Departments of Commerce State and Treasury USTR DoD DARPA and relevant Congressional committees.
• Partner with Embassies industry associations and other trusted and influential voices to coordinate advocacy efforts on shared objectives including trade sanctions and consumer trust.
• Design and execute strategic advocacy and communication campaigns to influence policymakers strengthen De Beers reputation and drive progress toward policy goals.
• Develop and articulate evidence-based policy positions turning complex technical or economic data into persuasive narratives that support De Beers objectives.
• Monitor interpret and report on relevant political policy and regulatory developments providing timely intelligence and advice to the Senior Vice President and executive leadership.
• Represent De Beers at high-level meetings hearings and events with government officials policymakers and opinion-formers.
• Lead or contribute to policy submissions briefing materials and white papers for government and multilateral audiences.
• Coordinate closely with communications sustainability and Element Six colleagues to ensure policy engagement aligns with business priorities and public messaging.

De Beers does not currently have an office in Washington D.C. and the successful candidate will therefore be based remotely in the city. Attendance at meetings and relevant policy and networking events is expected. The role will require periodic travel across the US and to London and other De Beers locations for team meetings and strategic engagements. 

 The base salary range for the position this $187460 - $251732 USD annually.

Qualifications :

• Minimum of 10 years policy experience working in a corporate company think tank or industry association or government in an in-house Government Affairs function or equivalent;
• Experience of working with and a good understanding of policy- and decision-making processes in the US government preferably with a good network of contacts to enable the job holder to hit the ground running in building strong and enduring relationships; and
• A strong and demonstrable understanding of government relations work including personal experience of developing and executing strategies and building advocacy campaigns.

SKILLS:

• Highly proactive and self motivated to drive the government affairs agenda and create opportunities;
• Excels at working autonomously to agreed strategic goals and priorities
• Comfortable taking responsibility for delivery;
• Able to spot and understand relevant developments and link them to the business need;
• Organised and structured working style to ensure delivery and execution
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; able to easily build good relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders;
• Enjoys working in and building a strong sense of team;
• Professional dependable and trustworthy;
• Fluent and excellent written and verbal English skills;
• Ability to remain productive and focused while working alone and remotely;
• Able to explain technical and complex information to non-experts;
• Works well in high pressure moments; and
• Able to interpret and operate productively between public and private sectors.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Willing to travel sometimes frequently;
• Able to engage and build rapport quickly with Ministers senior officials and colleagues;
• Organised and attention to detail;
• Stakeholder oriented;
• Integrity;
• Flexible and adaptive to new ideas and change; and
• Positive and action-oriented.

Additional Information :

Safety

Safety first is a way of life for us.  We are unconditional about the safety health and well-being of our colleagues at work and at home and about that of the communities where we work. We aim to lead the industry by investing in innovation to protect people who are at the heart of our business. Our high performing teams take accountability for their own and others actions work collaboratively and always show care and respect.

Equity Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

As a global #HeForShe Thematic Champion De Beers is committed to promoting an equitable inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are. We provide equality of opportunity to enable everyone to fulfil their potential. Please inform us should there be any special requirements that should be considered as part of your application.

Building Forever

Sustainability is at the heart of our decision-making it is how we do business.   Building Forever is key to our purpose as it represents our ambitious and holistic sustainability framework and is central to our ability to deliver long-term value to our communities and partners. This shapes how we protect our social and environmental license to operate build a long-term legacy in our host communities and earn consumers trust in our diamonds that they can wear with pride.

Background Checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete background screening which may include a criminal check and validation of qualifications

#LI-LP1 

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Full-time