Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Americas

Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Americas

Washington, DC

Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Americas

Multiple locations

R-2697353

Bentonville, AR: The pay range will be discussed during the hiring process

Washington, DC: $169,000 - $338,000/yr

Regular/ Permanent

Position Summary...

The Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy – Americas develops and executes government affairs strategies across Walmart’s Western Hemisphere markets, partnering with business and market leadership in Mexico, Canada, Central America, and Chile to advance business priorities and support long-term growth. This role identifies and addresses emerging political, regulatory, geopolitical, trade, and reputational risks and opportunities across the region. The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, builds trusted relationships with government officials and policy influencers, and coordinates across markets and functions to strengthen Walmart’s reputation and advance public policy priorities.

Position Summary...

The Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy – Americas develops and executes government affairs strategies across Walmart’s Western Hemisphere markets, partnering with business and market leadership in Mexico, Canada, Central America, and Chile to advance business priorities and support long-term growth. This role identifies and addresses emerging political, regulatory, geopolitical, trade, and reputational risks and opportunities across the region. The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, builds trusted relationships with government officials and policy influencers, and coordinates across markets and functions to strengthen Walmart’s reputation and advance public policy priorities.

About the Team

The Global Government Affairs team works across Walmart’s international markets to support business growth, strengthen the company’s reputation, and advocate for public policies that positively impact Walmart’s businesses. The team partners closely with international market leaders and cross‑functional teams, including Legal, Communications, Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs, Trade, Sustainability, Compliance, Marketplace, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Finance. Together, the team monitors policy and geopolitical developments, aligns advocacy strategies, manages emerging risks, and helps Walmart engage effectively with governments and external stakeholders across the Americas.

What you'll do...

• Develop and execute government affairs strategies across Walmart’s Western Hemisphere markets, including Mexico, Canada, Central America, and Chile, in partnership with business and market leadership.
• Identify emerging political, regulatory, geopolitical, trade, and reputational risks and opportunities, and align government affairs strategies with Walmart’s business growth objectives.
• Monitor and assess legislative and regulatory developments affecting retail, eCommerce, labor, tax, sourcing, supply chain, sustainability, and other business priorities.
• Develop proactive advocacy strategies, coordinate public policy positions across markets and global stakeholders, and advise leaders on business implications and mitigation strategies.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with government officials, trade associations, embassies, multilateral organizations, chambers of commerce, think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, and other policy influencers.
• Coordinate executive engagement strategies, represent Walmart in external forums, and advance policy priorities that support long-term business growth and market competitiveness.
• Partner with country Corporate Affairs and business leadership teams to strengthen Walmart’s reputation with governments and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate reputational initiatives and executive visits, support market‑specific government affairs strategies, and promote consistent messaging across the region.
• Evaluate international trade agreements, domestic policies with international implications, and geopolitical developments that may affect Walmart’s international operations.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior executives through briefings, geopolitical analyses, policy memoranda, presentations, speeches, talking points, and stakeholder‑engagement materials.
• Prepare senior leaders for interactions with government officials and policy influencers on complex policy, business, and reputational matters.
• Lead cross‑functional government affairs initiatives to align advocacy efforts, manage policy risks, and support business priorities across the Americas.
• Lead with integrity and reinforce compliance with Walmart’s values, company policies, and applicable laws while fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture.

What you’ll bring...

• A bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Business, Economics, Law, Communications, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public policy, international relations, diplomacy, corporate affairs, or government service.
• Significant experience working across Latin America and/or Canada, including knowledge of regional political, regulatory, and economic environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing government affairs strategies that support business growth and reputation.
• Experience engaging with senior government officials, trade associations, multilateral organizations, and other policy influencers.
• Strong knowledge of international trade policy and geopolitical developments affecting global retail and digital commerce.
• Excellent executive communication, presentation, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and lead through cross‑functional partnerships.
• Strong strategic planning and project‑management capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and multiple international markets.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including travel to multiple facilities and work sites throughout the Americas and other global locations. Travel may require extended overnight stays based on business needs.

Advises senior leadership on communication strategy for enterprise‑wide policy and reputation. Develops messaging frameworks and training programs for Government Affairs teams. Anticipates stakeholder and media trends to shape proactive strategies. Represents Walmart in global forums and legislative hearings, setting strategic standards. Innovates and sets the strategic direction for communication in alignment with organizational goals. Executes communication plans, leveraging social media for external storytelling. Provides thought leadership in company strategic initiatives. Oversees integrated communication plans that anticipate trends, mitigate risks, and reinforce brand positioning.

Shapes enterprise‑wide stakeholder engagement strategies, driving innovation and influencing external perceptions of the organization. Builds and sustains high‑impact relationships with senior stakeholders, including government bodies, advocacy groups, and industry leaders, to advance strategic priorities. Leads cross‑functional and cross‑cultural collaboration initiatives, embedding stakeholder‑centricity into organizational culture and processes. Develops new frameworks, tools, and methodologies for stakeholder engagement, and mentors senior leaders on strategic relationship management.

Shapes the enterprise‑wide foresight and policy acumen strategy, embedding future‑readiness into organizational planning and governance frameworks. Develops proprietary methodologies and tools for trend analysis, scenario modeling, and stakeholder engagement, setting benchmarks for best practices. Represents the organization in high‑level policy forums, think tanks, and strategic alliances, driving thought leadership and influencing systemic shifts. Anticipates global and societal trends to design adaptive strategies that align business goals with regulatory expectations, mentoring others to build foresight capability across teams.

Leads complex, cross‑functional projects or programs, balancing competing priorities and resource constraints to deliver strategic outcomes. Develops and adapts project plans to address evolving business needs, risks, and stakeholder feedback. Coaches team members on project management best practices, tools, and methodologies, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Ensures the alignment of project outcomes with strategic business goals and measures success through defined key performance indicators and post‑implementation reviews.

Leads the adoption of new technologies within the team, providing guidance and training to others on effective use. Customizes tools and platforms to meet specific project or stakeholder needs, enhancing functionality and user experience. Evaluates digital solutions for strategic fit and operational impact, recommending improvements or alternatives. Integrates multiple tools to streamline workflows, improve data visibility, and support cross‑functional collaboration. Advises on digital compliance and data governance in program and stakeholder contexts. Champions the use of AI tools for predictive analytics, stakeholder mapping, and policy monitoring. Integrates AI features to automate repetitive tasks and improve data quality.

Synthesizes the business strategy with societal and policy insights to shape recommendations that drive long‑term value and mitigate reputational risk. Leads cross‑functional initiatives that align organizational goals with public policy and societal expectations. Advises teams on the ethical and strategic implications of decisions. Anticipates stakeholder concerns and proactively integrates their perspectives into business planning. Mentors others on applying business and societal acumen, fostering a culture of ethical awareness and external orientation.

Leads reputation management efforts during high‑profile initiatives or emerging issues, coordinating cross‑functional responses and stakeholder engagement. Develops and implements crisis communication plans, ensuring timely and transparent messaging across channels. Coaches others on managing reputational risks and navigating sensitive stakeholder dynamics. Advises leadership on the reputational implications of strategic decisions and external developments. Oversees the integration of reputation management into business planning and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Develops and implements strategies to attract and maintain a highly skilled and engaged workforce by diagnosing capability gaps; recruiting, selecting, and developing talent; supporting mentorship, workforce development, and succession planning; and leveraging the capabilities of new and existing talent.

Cultivates an environment where associates respect and adhere to company standards of integrity and ethics by integrating these values into all programs and practices; developing consequences for violations or non‑compliance; and supporting the Open Door Policy.

Develops and leverages internal and external partnerships and networks to maximize the achievement of business goals by sponsoring and leading key community outreach and involvement initiatives; engaging key stakeholders in the development, execution, and evaluation of appropriate business plans and initiatives; and supporting associate efforts in these areas.

Key Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Public Policy Advocacy, Strategic Communication, Regulatory Compliance, Leadership

Respect the Individual: Builds high‑performing teams; seeks, and embraces differences in people, cultures, ideas and experiences; creates a workplace where all associates feel seen, supported and connected through culture of belonging so associates thrive and perform; drives a positive associate and customer/member experience for all.

Respect the Individual: Creates a discipline and focus around developing talent through feedback, coaching, mentoring, and developmental opportunities; builds the talent pipeline, fosters an environment allowing everyone to bring their best selves to work, empowers associates and partners to act in the best interest of the customer and company, and regularly recognizes others’ contributions and accomplishments; supports strategies and drives initiatives that attract and retain the best talent.

Respect the Individual: Builds strong and trusting relationships with team members and business partners; works collaboratively and cross‑functionally to achieve objectives; and communicates and listens attentively, with energy and positivity to motivate, influence, and inspire commitment and action.

Act with Integrity: Maintains and promotes the highest standards of integrity, ethics and compliance; models the Walmart values and leads by example to foster our culture; supports Walmart’s goal of becoming a regenerative company by taking action to advance opportunity, sustainability, community, and integrity (e.g., creating