Senior Director of Government Relations

Qcells North America

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 219,000 - 329,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Qcells North America seeks a Senior Director, Government Relations to lead federal policy priorities and counsel senior leadership. Based in Washington, DC, you will own a defined policy portfolio, engage with Congress and agencies, and drive advocacy campaigns across manufacturing, energy, and trade.

You will work with cross-functional leaders to deliver informed policy positions, briefs, and strategic recommendations that advance business objectives in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, public administration, law, economics, business, or a related field.
Twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs or corporate government relations.
Deep expertise in the federal legislative, regulatory, and political process with a track record of strategy and outcomes.
Exceptional executive communication and ability to translate policy into business implications.
Ability to independently manage a complex policy portfolio with sound judgment.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute advocacy strategies for policy priorities aligned with leadership direction.
Build and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, staff, agencies, and policymakers.
Anticipate policy developments and provide practical recommendations to leadership and partners.
Develop and oversee policy briefs, testimony, talking points, and legislative materials.
Represent Qcells in coalitions, trade groups, and policy forums; coordinate advocacy with partners.
Collaborate with legal, communications, manufacturing, and finance teams on policy positions.

Skills

Executive communication

Policy portfolio ownership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Advocacy campaigns

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy or related field

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Qcells is seeking an accomplished and highly experienced Senior Director, Government Relations to join its Public Policy and Government Relations team. Reporting to the Head of Government Relations, this role will independently manage complex federal policy priorities, provide senior-level counsel, and execute advocacy strategies that advance the company's business objectives.
As a senior member of the team, the Senior Director will bring the experience and judgment to step into priority matters with limited ramp-up and deliver immediate impact. The role will own a defined portfolio of issues affecting Qcells' U.S. manufacturing, energy deployment, permitting, trade, tax, and domestic supply chain investments while working closely with the Head of Government Relations and cross-functional leaders on broader strategy and alignment.

WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE

This position is based in Washington D.C and requires working on-site five days a week.
Some travel required (approx. 10-15%)

Responsibilities

Policy Portfolio Ownership: Develop and execute advocacy strategies for an assigned portfolio of legislative, regulatory, tax, trade, permitting, manufacturing, and energy policy priorities, aligned with direction from the Head of Government Relations.
Senior Government Engagement: Build and maintain trusted relationships with Members of Congress, senior congressional staff, federal agencies, and other policymakers. Represent Qcells in high-level meetings, hearings, briefings, and facility visits within assigned areas
Policy Analysis & Business Counsel: Anticipate and assess policy and political developments, evaluate business implications, and provide practical recommendations to the Head of Government Relations, executives, and cross-functional leaders.
Advocacy Execution: Develop and execute issue-specific legislative and regulatory campaigns. Produce or oversee policy briefs, comment letters, testimony, talking points, presentations, and executive correspondence.
Coalition & Industry Engagement: Represent Qcells in industry associations, trade groups, coalitions, and policy forums. Contribute expertise, shape positions, and coordinate partner advocacy on priority issues.
Cross-Functional Partnership: Work with legal, communications, commercial, manufacturing, sustainability, finance, and business teams to develop informed policy positions and coordinated advocacy plans.
Executive Briefing & Policy Intelligence: Monitor congressional, regulatory, electoral, and industry developments and deliver concise, decision-oriented briefings and recommended actions.
Complex Issue Management: Take ownership of emerging or high-risk matters within the assigned portfolio, coordinating stakeholders, escalating decisions appropriately, and driving workstreams to resolution.
Team Contribution & Mentorship: Share expertise, mentor colleagues, support team priorities, and coordinate external consultants or project teams as needed. Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing government relations function.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, public administration, law, economics, business, or a related field.
Twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public policy, Congress, the executive branch, a trade association, or corporate government relations.
Deep expertise in the federal legislative, regulatory, and political process, with a record of developing strategy and delivering advocacy outcomes.
Exceptional executive communication skills and the ability to translate complex policy developments into clear business implications and recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex policy portfolio, exercise sound judgment, and influence outcomes without relying on formal authority.
Strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate senior cross-functional stakeholders, external partners, and parallel workstreams.
Ability to become effective quickly in a fast-paced environment while exercising discretion, adaptability, and exceptional attention to detail.
Executive presence and demonstrated success building trusted relationships with senior government, industry, and corporate stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Substantial experience with federal energy, manufacturing, trade, tax, permitting, or infrastructure policy.
Established senior-level relationships with Congress and relevant federal agencies, including Treasury, Commerce, DOE, USTR, CBP, and EPA.
Demonstrated success managing complex legislative, regulatory, coalition, or issue advocacy campaigns with measurable business impact.
Deep understanding of clean energy, domestic manufacturing policy, federal tax incentives, and the commercial implications of government action.
Experience serving as a senior subject-matter expert or portfolio owner within a larger government relations function, including mentoring colleagues and

Compensation

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws, the anticipated annual base salary for this position is:

Zone 1 (Bay Area, NYC):$263,300 – $329,200
Zone 2 (CA, NJ, NY, DC): $241,300 – $301,700
Zone 3(All others): $219,400 – $274,300

The applicable salary range is based on the employee’s primary work location. Individual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and other business-related factors.
Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. ('HQCA') is a Qcells company, one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of solar photovoltaic (PV) products and solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, HQCA has been rapidly expanding its business in North America through the expansion of products and solutions, including distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. We provide an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing world-class global business in an interesting and expanding industry of the future.

Physical, Mental & Environmental Demands

To comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the essential physical, mental and environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Mobility
Standing 20% of time
Sitting 70% of time
Walking 10% of time
Strength Pulling up to 10 Pounds
Pushing up to 10 Pounds
Carrying up to 10 Pounds
Lifting up to 10 Pounds
Dexterity(F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never) Typing F Handling F Reaching F Agility(F = Frequently, O = Occasionally, N = Never) Turning F Twisting F Bending O Crouching O Balancing N Climbing N Crawling N Kneeling N
The salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job's minimum qualifications.