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’s central 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