Senior Government & Public Affairs Director, GC

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a seasoned Government & Public Affairs leader to drive Nike's central government engagement strategy in China. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong execution capability, deep understanding of China's political environment, and the ability to translate business priorities into effective government engagement and advocacy.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, policy insight, and stakeholder management skills, and be capable of navigating complex regulatory environments to support business growth and protect corporate interests. He/She will act as a trusted business advisor, providing strategic counsel and sound judgment to senior leaders on government, policy, and reputational matters

Essential Requirements

Minimum 10-15 years of relevant experience in government affairs, public policy, or related fields, with substantial experience in China's central government, public institutions, industry associations or companies.

Experience working with/for multinational companies, ideally within the consumer goods and/or retail sectors.

Proven experience engaging with central government ministries and agencies in China, with deep understanding of China's political and regulatory environment, including how to navigate central-local dynamics

Demonstrated ability to translate business priorities into team strategies and plans, and effectively communicate across functions/teams internally to build rapport and alignment

Strong strategic thinking and prioritization skills, with a focus on high-impact reputational, policy, regulatory and other issues

Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, both internally and externally, strong collaboration skills across functions, geographies, and cultures

Proven leadership experience, including managing and developing high-performing teams

Ability to represent the company credibly in high-level government and public settings

Excellent communication skills in Mandarin and English (written and spoken)

Preferred Experience

Established network across key central government stakeholders / ministries, including but not limited to Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Administration of Market Regulation, etc.

Experience in policy areas relevant to Nike's business, such as:

Market access, foreign investment and foreign trade

Digital, data and cybersecurity

Supply chain and logistics

Sustainability

Tax

Intellectual property

Experience coordinating external partners, including consultants, advisors, and industry associations

Experience working across regional governments and supporting business expansion initiatives

Experience in coordinating and arranging visits/meetings of CEOs and other executives; briefing them and accompanying them in engagements

What You'll Work On

As the Senior Director, Government & Public Affairs for China (Beijing), you will lead Nike's central government engagement and advocacy efforts, ensuring alignment with business priorities and long-term growth objectives.

Government Engagement & Advocacy

Develop and execute a proactive strategy to engage China'scentral government

, shaping a favorable policy environment for Nike's business

Build and maintain high-level relationships with key ministries, regulators, and policy influencers

Represent Nike in external forums, industry platforms, and high-level engagements

Policy Intelligence & Strategy

Lead the identification, monitoring, and analysis of key policy and regulatory developments impacting Nike

Translate policy trends into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for business leaders

Coordinate integrated advocacy efforts aligned with global and GC priorities

Team Leadership

Lead and develop a team of GPA professionals, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture

Provide clear direction, prioritization, and coaching to ensure strong execution against objectives

Business Enablement

Support key business initiatives, including Northwest China regional priorities, through effective government engagement

Partner closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., commercial, supply chain, legal, communications) to enable business growth and mitigate risks

IP & Brand Protection

Strengthen Nike's Intellectual Property (IP) and Brand Protection (BP) efforts through targeted government engagement

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to address enforcement, compliance, and regulatory challenges

External Partnerships

Build alliances with industry peers, trade associations, and external stakeholders to advance shared policy objectives

Leverage external networks to amplify Nike's voice and influence in the political ecosystem

Why This Role Matters

This role is critical to ensuring Nike's long-term success in China by:

Strengthening relationships with central government stakeholders

Shaping a predictable and supportive environment leveraging government support

Enabling key business priorities through proactive engagements

Protecting Nike's brand and intellectual property in a complex market