Commercial Policy Lead, Brand Safety & Malware

About the role

This role leads commercial policy efforts centered on brand safety and malware defense for the Discord platform. The position holder will design and refine policy approaches that address harmful commercial behavior and software threats facing users and business partners across Discord's communication ecosystem. Cross-team collaboration is essential as the lead works closely with engineering, legal, and trust and safety groups to shape platform governance. The role carries significant influence over how Discord protects its community from commercial abuse, deceptive practices, and malicious software distribution at scale.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead the development of brand safety policies that address commercial abuse and deceptive practices on the platform

Design malware prevention frameworks and work with technical teams to identify and mitigate software threats

Partner with legal and compliance groups to ensure policy alignment with regulatory requirements and industry standards

Analyze platform data to identify emerging threats and trends in commercial fraud and malicious software distribution

Draft internal guidelines and external documentation that communicate brand safety expectations to partners and stakeholders

Coordinate with trust and safety teams to enforce policies and respond to incidents involving malware or brand abuse

Represent Discord in industry forums and working groups focused on platform safety and commercial policy standards

Evaluate new product features and launch plans for potential brand safety and malware risks before deployment

Build and maintain relationships with external vendors and security researchers who support malware detection efforts

Develop training materials and educational resources for internal teams on brand safety policies and malware awareness

Monitor evolving regulatory landscapes and assess how new laws impact Discord's commercial policy and brand safety operations

Create escalation protocols and response playbooks that guide teams through brand safety incidents and malware outbreaks

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in policy, legal, or trust and safety roles within technology or platform companies

Strong understanding of brand safety concepts, malware threats, and commercial fraud patterns in online ecosystems

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical topics into clear policy language

Proven ability to work across multiple teams including engineering, legal, product, and trust and safety functions

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in law, policy, public policy, or a closely related field

At least seven years of professional experience in policy development, compliance, or a related discipline

Experience managing or leading projects that involve cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder alignment

Familiarity with content moderation systems, platform governance, and online safety regulations

Ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple policy initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrated track record of influencing decision-making with senior leaders and external partners through clear policy advocacy

Nice to have

Prior experience working at a large technology company or platform with millions of active users

Background in malware analysis, cybersecurity, or information security with hands-on technical knowledge

Experience engaging with regulators, law enforcement, or industry bodies on platform safety and commercial policy matters

Familiarity with machine learning or automated detection systems used for identifying malware and abusive commercial content

Knowledge of open source ecosystems and developer communities that intersect with Discord's platform and user base

Experience publishing white papers, policy briefs, or external reports on platform safety and commercial integrity topics

Skills & tools

Policy drafting and regulatory analysis for technology platforms and online services

Threat modeling and risk assessment methodologies for software and commercial abuse scenarios

Data analysis and interpretation using spreadsheets and visualization tools to inform policy decisions

Stakeholder management and cross-functional communication across legal, engineering, and product organizations

Incident response coordination and escalation procedures for brand safety and malware events

Industry research methods and competitive landscape analysis for platform safety trends

Contract management and vendor oversight for third-party security and brand protection service providers

Presentation and briefing skills for communicating policy recommendations to executive leadership and external audiences

Practical notes

This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and requires on-site presence at Discord offices

The hiring process includes multiple interview rounds with policy, legal, and hiring team members

Candidates should expect a thorough review of their policy writing samples and relevant experience

Discord is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and career paths

Discord offers comprehensive benefits including health coverage, retirement plans, and professional development support for employees

The team values diverse perspectives and encourages applicants from underrepresented groups to apply for this role