Strategy and Operations Manager, Policy & Government Affairs

The Waymo Policy and Government Affairs team has a front seat in this exciting moment in the evolution of autonomous driving technology, transportation and tech policy. Successful navigation of the policy landscape is critically important to deploying and scaling our business. Our team works directly with policymakers and third-party groups at the national, state and local levels to help advance transportation policy, educate on the safety benefits of the technology, and advance consumer awareness and acceptance. Internally, our efforts support the innovative work of engineering, product, strategy, and partnerships teams, and we work closely with highly-skilled legal and safety experts.

You will be based hybrid on-site in DC, NYC, or the Bay area and report into our Head of Strategy and Operations - Legal, Risk & Insurance, Policy & Government Affairs.

You will:

• Lead and manage all core operational functions for the Policy & Government Affairs team, including day-to-day budget management, financial forecasting, and the end-to-end vendor contracting/PO process.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the Policy operational team, ensuring high-quality execution of all team functions.
• Partner with Policy and LRIP leadership to execute the team's AI strategy.
• Design, build, and implement scalable operational processes and infrastructure to support the team's rapid growth.
• Serve as the primary operational partner to Policy leadership and the Head of StratOps (for Legal, Risk & Policy), driving strategic planning, resource allocation, and providing clear visibility into budget and project status.
• Oversee the team's vendor ecosystem, ensuring smooth onboarding, timely payments, and strategic alignment with policy objectives.

You have:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5-7+ years of experience in a strategy & operations, business operations (BizOps), chief of staff, or program management role.
• Proven experience with core financial operations, including managing complex budgets, financial forecasting, and vendor/contracting processes.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing strategic initiatives, with a track record of building new processes and systems from the ground up.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information (e.g., AI tools, team workflows) into a clear, actionable strategy.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience or clear aptitude for managing direct reports, mentoring junior team members, and influencing senior stakeholders.

We prefer:

• MBA or other advanced degree in business or public policy.
• Experience working in or with a public policy, government affairs, legal, or communications team.
• Passion for and understanding of emerging technologies, particularly AI, and their application to team workflows and knowledge management.
• Experience in a high-growth, fast-paced technology company, navigating ambiguity and scaling processes.
• Advanced skills in Google Sheets / Excel (e.g., modeling, complex formulas) and data visualization tools.
• Experience managing a team.

Travel requirements:

• This role requires domestic travel, estimated at up to 40% of the time.