Government Relationship Director

Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.General Summary Cadence is a global leader in electronic design automation (EDA), intellectual property and system design and analysis, helping customers design advanced electronic systems. China is a strategically important market for Cadence and its customers. The Government Relationship Director will lead Cadence’s government affairs in China, developing and executing a strategy that supports the company’s business growth, safeguards its operating environment, and strengthens its reputation as a trusted and responsible technology partner. The ideal candidate is an experienced government relations professional with at least 12 years of experience in China, a proven record of advising senior executives, and established relationships with national and local government, regulators and industry associations. The candidate should have a strong understanding of the policy, trade and regulatory landscape affecting tech industry , and the judgment and integrity to operate effectively in a fast-changing environment. Key Responsibilities Strategy Development and Execution: Develop and execute Cadence’s government relations strategy in China, aligned with the company’s business priorities. Translate the strategy into an annual engagement plan with clear priorities, milestones and success measures, and adjust it as the policy environment evolves. Project and Initiative Management: Manage key government relations projects and initiatives from planning to delivery, including policy engagement programs, industry association activities and government-facing events. Coordinate  internal and external resources and timelines across teams, track progress, and report results to senior leadership. Senior Executive Visit Support: Plan, coordinate and support visits to China by Cadence senior executives, including agenda and meeting arrangements with government and industry stakeholders, briefings, talking points and engagement plans, on-site support, and follow-up on commitments and next steps. Liaison and Communication: Serve as the main point of contact between Cadence and China’s key national and local government agencies and regulatory bodies. Lead and coordinate government engagement on matters relevant to Cadence’s business and operations in China. Represent Cadence at relevant government, industry, and public affairs events as appropriate. Policy and Regulatory Analysis: Identify and assess major policy, legislative, and regulatory developments relevant to Cadence, including their business implications, and recommend appropriate responses. Stakeholder Relations: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key government agencies,  industry associations, business organizations, and other key external stakeholders. Identify opportunities for engagement and collaboration to support Cadence’s business priorities and strengthen the company’s external presence. Executive Advisory: Provide government relations advice and support to senior executives and relevant internal stakeholders on China policy, stakeholder and engagement matters. Cross-functional Collaboration and Compliance: Work closely with legal, compliance, business, communications and global government affairs colleagues to ensure coordinated, consistent engagement that complies with Cadence policies and applicable laws. Qualifications and Skills Education: A bachelor’s degree or above in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred. Experience: A minimum of 12 years of professional experience in government relations, public affairs, or related roles in China, including experience in a senior or leadership capacity, preferably with a multinational technology company. Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of China’s policy and regulatory environment relevant to the technology sector, including areas such as technology trade, industrial policy, standards, data governance and intellectual property, with the ability to assess business implications and recommend appropriate responses. Strategy and Project Leadership: Proven ability to develop and execute a government relations strategy and to manage multiple projects and initiatives at the same time, delivering results with a high degree of independence. Executive Support: Experience advising senior executives and supporting high-level government engagements and executive visits, including preparing briefings, talking points and engagement plans. Relationships: Established relationships with relevant government, regulatory, industry association and policy stakeholders in China. Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills in both Chinese and English, with strong diplomatic, negotiation, and influencing capabilities. Ability to communicate effectively with government officials, senior executives, and cross-functional teams. Judgment and Integrity: Sound judgment and high standards of integrity and compliance when working in a sensitive and fast-changing policy environment. We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.