Job Description

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft's Global Trade Legal team advances this mission through international trade policies, strategies, and solutions that foster a culture of compliance, trust, and innovation across Microsoft and with our partners and customers worldwide.

This role will focus on Microsoft's commitment to compliance with export controls laws and regulations in the various countries and regions where Microsoft operates. In this role, you will lead the advancement and implementation of export controls compliance strategies and solutions through engagement and collaboration with key business partners and stakeholders. You will also be responsible for providing legal guidance on export controls developments and issues.

This role requires: sound, principled and consistent judgment in fast-paced ambiguous environments; a thorough understanding of export controls laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); a track record of cross-collaboration; strong commitment to integrity; solution-driven creativity and a business-enabling mindset. The role will report into the Global Trade Legal team within Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA).

* Counsel Microsoft business and engineering teams and other key stakeholders on a broad range of export-related regulatory, commercial, and government contracting matters.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage and further develop and implement Microsoft's export compliance program in compliance with export laws and regulations.
* Advance a collaborative and compliance-by-design environment that fosters trust in Microsoft while enabling business by:
* Partnering directly with the businesses you support, serving as a trusted export counsel, and providing strategic and timely input in connection with business priorities.
* Working with engineers to classify technical data, technology, software, and products for export controls purposes under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or other jurisdictions' export rules.
* Drafting and negotiating requests for classification determinations, export license applications, and any disclosures or government inquiry responses.
* Collaborating with businesses and key stakeholders to develop and implement end-to-end export-compliance operational architectures.
* Preparing, updating, and implementing training, policies, and procedures.
* Identify and propose opportunities to reduce complexity and mitigate risk, including through automated solutions.
* Through excellent communications, help to improve decision-making on key compliance issues by, for example, managing a coordinated approach to a complex problem.
* Monitor legal and regulatory developments; clearly communicate their impact to senior leadership and stakeholders.
* Employ creative approaches to resolving issues that arise in existing commercial and government contracting relationships, including pre-litigation legal disputes and inquiries.
* Develop and execute multilateral external engagement strategies that include advocating for innovative and effective export control approaches to achieving national security and foreign policy objectives.

Basic Qualifications

* Juris Doctor or international equivalent OR Completion of a Legal Apprenticeship.
* 10+ years working as an attorney on trade matters in a government agency, law firm, or in-house legal department, with an emphasis on export controls, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
* Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.
* Ability to understand technical details.
* Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience simplifying complex technical and export control issues for executives.
* Succesful candidate must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires verification of U.S. Citizenship to meet federal government security requirements.
* Flexibility to work with colleagues, clients, and others in time zones other than where the position is based.
* Domestic and international travel will be required, estimated to be less than 25%. This role is based in our Redmond, WA campus or Washington, DC campus.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with cutting-edge technologies, including disciplines such as digital and telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space and satellites.
* Experience developing, implementing or revamping an export control program.
* Knowledge and experience in other international trade areas (e.g., imports, economic sanctions).
* A mix of corporate law firm and in-house experience is a plus.
* Hands-on project management experience, including excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple and varying mission-critical projects at once, and to follow through and meet deadlines.
* Ability to work independently while being able to contribute successfully to cross-functional teams.
* Ability to demonstrate sound and practical business judgment even in ambiguous situations.
* Experience advocating for and influencing export control reform and other changes in export policy.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.