Director of Public Policy

About the company

• Perplexity helps people find answers, explore ideas and get things done with AI.

About the role

• Hiring a Director, Public Policy as a founding member of the policy team.
• Based in Washington, D.C., this role will help build and scale engagement with governments, regulators and policy communities worldwide.
• Reports to the Senior Director, Product, Privacy & Regulatory Legal.

Responsibilities

• Build the program: turn company priorities into a global engagement plan with clear market priorities, owners and measures of progress.
• Scale how we work: establish stakeholder tracking, policy monitoring and briefing standards.
• Build relationships across markets: engage policymakers, regulators, trade associations, think tanks and civil society in the U.S. and key international markets.
• Anticipate change: listen closely to policymakers to understand priorities and emerging debates.
• Lead advocacy: advance approved company positions through direct engagement and coalitions.
• Advise leadership: translate political and regulatory developments into business implications and recommendations.
• Connect policy and communications: inform and execute the strategy set by Comms and executive leadership.
• Build regional capacity: coordinate external advisers and partners, recommend future hiring priorities.
• Make engagement effective: prepare leaders for government meetings and run briefings, roundtables and product demonstrations.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in public policy, government affairs or legislative advocacy.
• A record of building and scaling a policy function, program or team, ideally at a growing technology company.
• Experience managing policy engagement across multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S. and at least one other major market.
• Experience representing a company, association or clients before government; government service strongly preferred.
• A network you've built yourself and evidence you can establish credibility in new markets.
• Strong writing and judgment.
• Hands-on approach.
• Experience coordinating internal teams and external advisers across regions.

Bonus

• Experience hiring, managing or developing policy professionals.
• Experience with AI, privacy, competition, copyright or other technology policy issues.
• Experience on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, or in a comparable government role outside the U.S.
• Registered lobbying experience and familiarity with lobbying disclosure and ethics requirements.