Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
In the SaaS ecosystem, government affairs roles are increasingly central as subscription platforms operate across multiple jurisdictions and rely on consistent rules around content, competition, privacy, and taxation. This position stands out for its JAPAC scope, where policy regimes vary widely and regulatory change can materially influence product availability, licensing models, and market entry strategies. The remit signals a function that sits close to business-critical decisions rather than purely external relations.
For a SaaS career, the long-term value here is learning how policy constraints translate into operational and product choices at scale. Coordinating with legal, communications, trust & safety, and local market teams builds a practical understanding of cross-functional decision-making in a globally distributed software business. Experience shaping positions on issues like online safety, data protection, and digital competition is also portable across many SaaS categories facing similar regulatory pressure.
This role fits professionals who prefer strategic, stakeholder-heavy work and can move between detailed policy analysis and clear internal recommendations. It will suit someone comfortable representing a company externally while aligning internally across regions and functions, and who values structured collaboration with a global team and local advisors.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
We are seeking a dynamic, hard-working, strategic candidate to join Spotify’s Global Government Affairs team in Singapore as Government Affairs Manager for Japan-Asia Pacific (JAPAC).
The Government Affairs team is charged with understanding the global and local policy landscapes in relation to Spotify’s business objectives and advocating on the company’s behalf on critical issues. One of our key roles is to promote Spotify’s ability to compete fairly and grow by influencing public policies. We represent the company before legislators and regulators, anticipate emerging issues, and mitigate potential risks.
The Manager of JAPAC Government Affairs will work as part of a global government affairs team, coordinating closely with colleagues on the team, as well as other groups throughout Spotify to craft effective, consistent positions on the issues of greatest importance to our company.
This position will report to the Head of Government Affairs for Middle East Asia (MEA) and JAPAC.
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What You'll Do - Serve as Spotify’s primary representative to the various governments in the region, overseeing engagement with key ministries, regulators, and policymakers to advance Spotify’s strategic and policy interests.
- Identify and prioritize public policy issues affecting Spotify in the JAPAC region such as music policy, content moderation and online safety, media regulation, digital taxation, copyright and licensing, digital competition policy, and data protection/privacy.
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and political developments across priority markets and provide timely internal analyses and recommendations.
- Design and implement advocacy strategies in collaboration with Global Government Affairs and local market teams, ensuring alignment with Spotify’s business objectives.
- Work closely with internal partners (communications, product, legal, trust & safety, and local business teams) to align policy initiatives with business objectives and ensure coordinated company positions.
- Direct and coordinate the work of local consultants and policy advisors, ensuring high-quality engagement and alignment with global strategy.
- Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including trade associations, civil society groups, academic experts, and the creative community to support thought leadership and coalition-building.
- Coordinate with Legal, Communications, and Trust and Safety on policy-related incidents and emerging regulatory issues.
Who You Are- You have at least 7+ years of experience developing and implementing public policy strategies in a professional public policy environment, along with a bachelor’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience).
- Experience working in government, a company, or a trade association.
- Experience developing and implementing public policy strategies in the technology sector.
- Familiarity with Southeast Asian political and regulatory environments, with experience working in markets such as Indonesia and Thailand and the ability to operate confidently across multiple JAPAC markets.
- Experience engaging senior government officials, private sector leaders, and other public policy professionals.
- Strong existing relationships and the ability to build new ones with external stakeholders and industry peers.
- Ability to craft pragmatic, business focused responses to regulatory and legislative challenges.
- A track record of effective advocacy before government officials.
- A readiness to solve problems and think strategically.
- Experience managing external consultants and associated budgets.
- Ability to build cross functional relationships and work with senior policymakers and business executives.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a commitment to professionalism, collegiality, and integrity.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English. Proficiency in one or more major JAPAC languages is a strong plus.
Where You'll Be- This role is based in Singapore, with travel expected to markets and when needed. This is not a remote position.
- We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best! There will be some in-person meetings, but it still allows for flexibility to work from home. We ask that you come to the office 2 to 3 times per week.
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