Director, Government Affairs, China

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

A Career at HARMAN Corporate

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company’s award-winning success.

• Enrich your managerial and organizational talents – from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy
• Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development
• Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role

This role leads HARMAN’s government affairs strategy in China, shaping the company’s external positioning in a complex regulatory environment, while building and sustaining senior-level relationships with key regulators and industry stakeholders and establishing robust governance to advance business priorities.

As a trusted advisor to senior leadership at HARMAN, the role provides forward-looking insights on regulatory and policy developments—including U.S.–China relations, trade, export controls, and automotive and technology policy—to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and enable informed decision-making.

The role also supports business growth, particularly in the automotive sector, by facilitating market access and strengthening HARMAN’s position as a strategic partner to Chinese OEMs in their global expansion.

This is a strategic leadership role requiring deep industry knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to drive impact across complex, cross-functional environments.

The role reports to the Director, Global Government Affairs, with a dotted-line relationship to the China Managing Director.

What You Will Do

• Drive strategic alignment between the Chinese government affairs priorities and HARMAN’s business strategy and operations in China.
• Establish and institutionalize governance frameworks and operating procedures to manage interactions with government authorities, ensuring compliance, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Shape and elevate HARMAN’s positioning with Chinese government stakeholders by leveraging key platforms and ecosystems (government forums, industry associations, and major conferences) to enhance credibility, visibility, and policy intelligence.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to country leadership and key functions (Automotive BU, Legal, Global Supply Chain), providing actionable policy insights and guidance on government engagement.
• Partner closely with Global Government Affairs, translating complex and evolving regulatory developments into clear, actionable insights for headquarters to support informed decision-making and execution.
• Lead and coordinate government engagement across all HARMAN China business units, supporting business growth, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Anticipate and mitigate policy and geopolitical risks, proactively advising leadership on potential business impacts and strategic response options.

What You Need to Be Successful

• A bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or business management is preferable, and at least +10 years of government or external affairs experience for governments and/or the private sector.
• Experience in the automotive, technology, or related industries is highly preferred, with an understanding of connected vehicles, electronics, or digital technologies and their regulatory environment.
• Strong analytical skills, writing abilities, and business judgment.
• Experience developing courses of action and advising executive-level leaders and non-experts on policy and regulatory issues.
• Experience in monitoring and analyzing issues relating to policy and regulatory
• Awareness of and interest in geopolitical issues impacting business and the intersection at the country or regional level
• Excellent presentation skills, verbally and in written form (to include incorporating data and graphics into output on a routine basis).
• Ability to work under pressure, in a diverse and growing global team, and to work proactively and independently.
• Outstanding communication skills, including an ability to listen well, summarize, and present complex analysis of abstract issues while ensuring key messages and takeaways are clear and concise.
• Strong technical skills in using the Microsoft Office suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrable project management experience, especially leading projects and working groups consisting of cross-functional stakeholders and leaders.
• Relevant academic qualification in a subject which demonstrates interest in global affairs, regional or country-level politics, regulatory, security, and operating issues.
• Language: English proficiency is a must.

Bonus Points if You Have

• A mix of in-house and government experience
• MBA/EMBA or advanced/relevant degree
• Experience managing external counsel, agencies, and/or contractor support.
• Automotive and/or Consumer Electronics industry experience

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, domestic and international travel.
• This role is eligible to work remotely full-time with occasional trips into various office locations as required (this could be on 24-hour notice)

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work one day per week for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.