Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs

Job description

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 - our rapidly developed humanoid platform being deployed in real industrial environments - and we’re growing the team to take it even further. # About the Role Humanoid is seeking a Head of Government Relations to lead the company's engagement with governments, regulators, and industry bodies across its principal markets. The role reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer and carries a global remit spanning government relations, public affairs, and policy. The United Kingdom is the company's primary market and the United States its fastest-growing second, alongside Canada, Germany, and the European institutions in Brussels. The remit extends beyond engagement to the development of the company's policy positions, in close alignment with Legal, Finance, and commercial leadership. Three priorities define the role. The first is to establish a regulatory path for the technology, working with governments, regulators, standards bodies, and industry associations so that bipedal platforms, and not solely wheeled systems, can be deployed safely and at scale. The second is to develop routes to public and institutional capital, including government-backed investment and financing support. The third is to build the public-interest case for humanoid robotics, from industrial deployment through to sectors such as healthcare. The role involves monitoring political and regulatory developments across the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States; advising leadership on their implications for the business; building and maintaining relationships across Westminster, Whitehall, Brussels, and Washington DC; and representing Humanoid before policymakers, officials, industry associations, and at public forums. The position is based in London, with the option to relocate to Washington DC as the company's United States operations grow, and involves regular international travel. The successful candidate will build a team as the function develops. # What You'll Do - Develop and own Humanoid's government relations, public affairs, and policy strategy globally, with the United Kingdom as the primary market and the United States close behind. - Establish a regulatory path for humanoid robotics, working with governments, regulators, standards bodies, and industry associations to shape regulation that allows bipedal platforms to be deployed safely and at scale. - Develop the company's policy positions as well as its relationships, in close alignment with Legal, Finance, and commercial leadership, so that policy work enables the business. - Develop routes to public and institutional capital, including government-backed investment and financing support, working alongside the Chief Legal Officer and the Finance team. - Build the public-interest case for humanoid robotics, including in sectors such as healthcare, and translate that case into deployment opportunities. - Build and maintain relationships across Westminster and Whitehall, in Brussels, in Washington DC, and with industrial associations across the United Kingdom, the European Union, and North America. - Represent Humanoid before policymakers, officials, and industry bodies, and at public forums and conferences. - Monitor political and regulatory developments across the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States, and advise leadership on their implications for the business. - Work closely with North American legal leadership on engagement across the United States and Canada. - Build and lead the government relations function as it grows, while remaining personally engaged in research, drafting, and engagement. # What We're Looking For - 10+ years of experience specifically in government relations, government affairs, public affairs, or policy. This is a firm minimum. - Deep and current knowledge of the United Kingdom political environment, including the ability to anticipate how the policy agenda is likely to develop. - A sound working understanding of the United States political environment, and of European Union institutions and policymaking. - A bachelor's degree in law, political science, economics, engineering, or a related field. - Experience in at least one relevant sector: technology, telecommunications, satellites, media, AI, software, automotive, aerospace and space, or defence. - The ability to develop policy positions and strategy, not only relationships. - A hands-on, execution-oriented approach, with a record of conducting research and drafting personally alongside managing others. - The ability to operate in ambiguity and to create clarity in a fast-moving environment. - Willingness to travel regularly, including to Germany, Brussels, Washington DC, Boston, and San Diego. - The right to work in the United Kingdom without sponsorship; visa sponsorship is not available for this role. - A commitment to a long-term role, and the resilience required in a company scaling at pace. # Nice to have - A master's degree or PhD. - Direct experience in Parliament or government, whether working with or for Members of Parliament, in a ministerial office, or with secretaries and under-secretaries in the executive branch. - European Union policy and Brussels engagement experience. - Experience establishing a government relations function from first principles in a scaling company. - Experience with public funding, sovereign guarantees, or government-backed financing. - Experience in emerging-technology regulation or standards-setting. - A genuine interest in emerging technologies and the future of robotics. # What We Offer - Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale. - 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas–New Year shutdown). - Private healthcare, including virtual and in-person care. - Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings. - Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office. - Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world-class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics. - Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.