We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage, our employees have a direct impact in helping learners around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Position Summary

The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for promoting, growing, and protecting Cengage business interests through effective engagement with policymakers, regulators, industry stakeholders, and external partners. This role helps shape how the company analyzes, understands, navigates, and influences the public policy environment at both the federal and state levels. The Director will develop and execute advocacy strategies aligned with business priorities, manage external lobbying resources, and serve as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders regarding policy developments that may affect the company's business. This role reports to the Senior Director, Government Affairs and works closely with business leaders, sales teams, corporate communications, and other cross-functional partners.

What you'll do here:

• Develop and execute government affairs strategies that promote and protect company priorities across federal and state policy environments.
• Identify legislative, regulatory, and political developments that may affect business operations, procurement opportunities, product adoption, or enterprise risk.
• Manage relationships with external lobbyists, consultants, trade associations, and policy advisors to advance company objectives.
• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory activity and assess potential impacts on Cengage businesses.
• Provide regular policy updates and strategic recommendations to business leaders and senior management.
• Support advocacy efforts on issues including K-12 education, postsecondary education, workforce development, privacy, AI, technology, data, and innovation.
• Develop policy positions, briefing materials, and engagement strategies that advance company priorities.
• Educate internal stakeholders on policy developments and government affairs activities.
• Simplify complex policy issues for business audiences and help teams understand practical implications.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with government officials, policymakers, agency personnel, and industry stakeholders.
• Partner with Legal, Communications, Sales, and business leaders to coordinate responses to emerging policy issues.
• Support rapid-response efforts related to significant legislative, regulatory, or political developments

Skills you will need here:

• 8–12 years of government affairs, public policy, government relations, or related experience.
• Experience working on education policy issues at the federal and/or state level.
• Demonstrated success influencing policy outcomes and advancing organizational priorities.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.

Preferred Experience

• Experience representing a complex organization within the education sector.
• Experience managing external lobbyists, consultants, or policy coalitions.
• Familiarity with education procurement, funding, and policy environments.
• Experience partnering with legal and communications functions on public policy matters.
• Understanding of K-12, postsecondary, workforce, privacy, AI, and technology policy issues.

Cengage is committed to working with broad talent pools to attract and hire strong and most qualified individuals. Our job applicants are considered regardless of any classification protected by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws.

Cengage is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including during our job application process. If you are an applicant with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in our job application process, please contact us at accommodations.ta@cengage.com.

About Cengage

Cengage, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Compensation

At Cengage Group, we take great pride in our commitment to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards Philosophy.

The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location.  Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

In this position,  you will be eligible to participate in the company’s discretionary incentive bonus program.  This position's bonus target amount, which is not guaranteed and is dependent on individual performance and overall company results among other factors, is provided below.  

25% Annual: Individual Target$138,000.00 - $180,000.00 USD