Vice President, Government Affairs - North America

Company Description

De Beers Group - The world's leading diamond company

De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company, with expertise spanning exploration, mining, marketing, and retail of natural diamonds, as well as advanced diamond materials and technology solutions through Element Six, which is part of De Beers Group. Our purpose is to create a positive, lasting impact that will endure well beyond the discovery of our last diamond. We are a unique, luxury business that thrives on the creativity, passion and knowledge of our people.

As we embark on a journey to accelerate the transformation of our business into one that is better positioned to realise the opportunities ahead of us, we welcome and encourage diverse perspectives from those individuals who spark fresh thinking and aren't afraid to challenge assumptions.

We’ll provide you with the space and support to grow and achieve your ambitions and – working together – you’ll help us realise our own ambition to be the pioneer of a new diamond world.

Job Description

We are looking for a VP Government Affairs – North America who will help to develop and deliver a government affairs strategy in North America that aligns with the company’s global strategy. This includes positioning De Beers as a trusted and responsible partner to government, industry, and academia, recognized for its leadership in responsible business, innovation and sustainable economic growth. The VP Government Affairs will be expected to ensure the company’s voice is heard and respected in key policy debates that directly impact our business and reputation.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and working closely with the Group CEO, Executive Team and colleagues across the business, the successful candidate will ensure De Beers builds and sustains the strategic relationships, insights and influence needed to protect and advance its commercial interests.

This includes developing De Beers’ presence and capability in North America by building trusted relationships with government officials, policymakers and opinion formers; monitoring and analysing political, policy and regulatory developments to motivate for efforts to shape the business environment; and providing intelligence and advice to anticipate and manage risks while identifying and pursuing opportunities.

The Government Affairs function helps deliver our purpose by building understanding, trust, and influence with governments and institutions in key markets worldwide. By strengthening De Beers’ voice on critical issues — from trade and sanctions to consumer protection, technology innovation, and responsible sourcing — the team ensures the company is well positioned to protect and progress its commercial success.

The global Government Affairs team was established to deliver a step change in how De Beers engages with policymakers and shapes the environment in which we operate. This role represents an exciting opportunity to help define and deliver that vision in one of our most strategically important markets.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead De Beers’ government affairs and advocacy in the United States and Federal Canada, with a focus on delivering measurable progress on priority objectives on natural diamonds and synthetic industrial diamond materials applications and innovation.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Executive and Legislative branches, including the Departments of Commerce, State, and Treasury, USTR, DoD, DARPA, and relevant Congressional committees.
• Partner with Embassies, industry associations and other trusted and influential voices to coordinate advocacy efforts on shared objectives, including trade, sanctions, and consumer trust.
• Design and execute strategic advocacy and communication campaigns to influence policymakers, strengthen De Beers’ reputation, and drive progress toward policy goals.
• Develop and articulate evidence-based policy positions, turning complex technical or economic data into persuasive narratives that support De Beers’ objectives.
• Monitor, interpret, and report on relevant political, policy, and regulatory developments, providing timely intelligence and advice to the Senior Vice President and executive leadership.
• Represent De Beers at high-level meetings, hearings, and events with government officials, policymakers, and opinion-formers.
• Lead or contribute to policy submissions, briefing materials, and white papers for government and multilateral audiences.
• Coordinate closely with communications, sustainability, and Element Six colleagues to ensure policy engagement aligns with business priorities and public messaging.

De Beers does not currently have an office in Washington, D.C. and the successful candidate will therefore be based remotely in the city. Attendance at meetings and relevant policy and networking events is expected. The role will require periodic travel across the US and to London and other De Beers locations for team meetings and strategic engagements. 

 The base salary range for the position this $187,460 - $251,732 USD annually.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years policy experience working in a corporate company, think tank or industry association or government in an in-house Government Affairs function or equivalent;
• Experience of working with and a good understanding of policy- and decision-making processes in the US government, preferably with a good network of contacts to enable the job holder to hit the ground running in building strong and enduring relationships; and
• A strong and demonstrable understanding of government relations work, including personal experience of developing and executing strategies and building advocacy campaigns.

SKILLS:

• Highly proactive and self motivated, to drive the government affairs agenda and create opportunities;
• Excels at working autonomously to agreed strategic goals and priorities
• Comfortable taking responsibility for delivery;
• Able to spot and understand relevant developments and link them to the business need;
• Organised and structured working style to ensure delivery and execution
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; able to easily build good relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders;
• Enjoys working in and building a strong sense of team;
• Professional, dependable and trustworthy;
• Fluent and excellent written and verbal English skills;
• Ability to remain productive and focused while working alone and remotely;
• Able to explain technical and complex information to non-experts;
• Works well in high pressure moments; and
• Able to interpret and operate productively between public and private sectors.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Willing to travel, sometimes frequently;
• Able to engage and build rapport quickly with Ministers, senior officials and colleagues;
• Organised and attention to detail;
• Stakeholder oriented;
• Integrity;
• Flexible and adaptive to new ideas and change; and
• Positive and action-oriented.

Additional Information

Safety

Safety first is a way of life for us.  We are unconditional about the safety, health and well-being of our colleagues, at work and at home, and about that of the communities where we work. We aim to lead the industry by investing in innovation to protect people, who are at the heart of our business. Our high performing teams take accountability for their own and others' actions, work collaboratively, and always show care and respect.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

As a global #HeForShe Thematic Champion, De Beers is committed to promoting an equitable, inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are. We provide equality of opportunity to enable everyone to fulfil their potential. Please inform us should there be any special requirements that should be considered as part of your application.

Building Forever

Sustainability is at the heart of our decision-making – it is how we do business.   Building Forever is key to our purpose as it represents our ambitious and holistic sustainability framework and is central to our ability to deliver long-term value to our communities and partners. This shapes how we protect our social and environmental license to operate, build a long-term legacy in our host communities and earn consumers’ trust in our diamonds that they can wear with pride.

Background Checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete background screening which may include a criminal check and validation of qualifications

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