VP, Federal Government Affairs

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Job Category

Global Affairs

Job Details

About Salesforce

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Salesforce is seeking a strategic Vice President of Federal Government Affairs to help lead the company’s engagement with the U.S. federal government across both the legislative and executive branches. This leader will serve as a senior advocate before Congress and a trusted advisor on the defense, national security, and technology policy landscape that increasingly shapes Salesforce’s federal business — especially the work of Missionforce.

As great-power competition, alliance modernization, and rapid technological disruption reshape national security priorities, this role sits at the intersection of policy, defense, and emerging technology. The ideal candidate brings deep congressional fluency together with substantive command of national security and defense policy, and the relationships across Capitol Hill and the broader national security enterprise to advance Salesforce’s federal agenda at a pivotal moment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as Salesforce’s senior representative and advocate before the U.S. Congress, with particular focus on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, and committees with jurisdiction over technology, national security, and IT modernization policy.

• Lead strategy and execution around the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the federal appropriations process, identifying opportunities and managing risks across the full legislative cycle.

• Translate a sophisticated understanding of defense, intelligence, and national security policy into actionable engagement strategy — anticipating how shifts in the strategic environment and great-power competition reshape federal priorities and procurement.

• Build and maintain deep, bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and senior congressional leadership, as well as counterparts across the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and the interagency.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive congressional engagement strategy that anticipates legislative trends.

• Help manage outside consultants, advocacy partners, and coalition relationships in a manner that amplifies the company’s advocacy.

• Partner cross-functionally with Salesforce’s policy, legal, communications, and sales teams — and with Missionforce — to align federal engagement with growth opportunities and business needs.

• Represent Salesforce in coalitions, industry associations, and stakeholder forums with a federal and national security focus.

• Track and analyze legislative and policy developments across defense, intelligence, technology, procurement, and appropriations, providing senior leadership with timely, actionable intelligence. 

• Advise on political and geopolitical dynamics and develop a long-term engagement strategy that deepens the company’s ties with key policymakers as committee control and congressional leadership evolve post-midterms.

• Recruit, develop, and manage a team of government affairs professionals — focused on growth and impact, and adaptable enough to evolve with business needs.

What We’re Looking For

• 15+ years of combined experience across Congress, the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and/or the national security enterprise, with demonstrated success navigating the federal legislative and policy process.

• Significant congressional credential — prior experience as a senior congressional staffer, national security or defense advisor, committee counsel, or Member of Congress strongly preferred.

• Substantive command of defense, intelligence, and national security policy, including the dynamics of great-power competition, alliance and coalition management, and defense industrial capacity.

• Deep expertise in the NDAA and federal appropriations process, ideally with cross-sector experience spanning defense, technology, or adjacent fields.

• Proven relationships with senior Members or staff on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and/or Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, and credibility across the broader national security community.

• Strong understanding of defense policy, federal procurement, and the interplay between authorization and appropriations. 

• Exceptional political and strategic instincts, with the ability to read and respond to shifting legislative and geopolitical dynamics — especially in election cycles.

• Experience managing and leveraging executive engagement opportunities — from briefing materials to staffing and follow-up with senior principals.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex policy and national security issues for executive audiences.

• Experience working in or with the private sector on federal policy issues preferred.

Why This Role, Why Now

Missionforce is rapidly reshaping how Salesforce engages the federal and national security arena. This is a pivotal moment to build and execute a proactive strategy that connects Capitol Hill, the Department of Defense, and the wider national security enterprise.

Salesforce is not looking for a leader who is simply active or well-known in Washington, but one who understands the national security landscape deeply — and helps shape it.

Unleash Your Potential

When you join Salesforce, you’ll be limitless in all areas of your life. Our benefits and resources support you to find balance and be your best, and our AI agents accelerate your impact so you can do your best. Together, we’ll bring the power of Agentforce to organizations of all sizes and deliver amazing experiences that customers love. Apply today to not only shape the future — but to redefine what’s possible — for yourself, for AI, and the world.

Accommodations

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Posting Statement

Salesforce is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. What does that mean exactly? It means that at Salesforce, we believe in equality for all. And we believe we can lead the path to equality in part by creating a workplace that’s inclusive, and free from discrimination. Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal. Any employee or potential employee will be assessed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications – without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, political viewpoint, or other classifications protected by law. This policy applies to current and prospective employees, no matter where they are in their Salesforce employment journey. It also applies to recruiting, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, assessment of job performance, discipline, termination, and everything in between. Recruiting, hiring, and promotion decisions at Salesforce are fair and based on merit. The same goes for compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, reduction in workforce, recall, training, and education.

In the United States, compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, job level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. Salesforce offers a variety of benefits to help you live well including: time off programs, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and an employee stock purchasing program. More details about company benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.salesforcebenefits.com.

At Salesforce, we believe in equitable compensation practices that reflect the dynamic nature of labor markets across various regions. The typical base salary range for this position is $212,700 - $374,400 annually. The range represents base salary only, and does not include company bonus, incentive for sales roles, equity or benefits, as applicable.