Google said on Friday that its Washington office chief, who also heads Americas policy, is stepping down as the company faces criticism on issues including how it protects users' privacy and its investment plans in China.

Susan Molinari, a former Republican member of Congress who has run Google's Washington policy operations for nearly seven years, will move to a new job at the company as a senior advisor in January, the company said in a statement.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai in September met with lawmakers and agreed to testify before Congress later this year. Google is recruiting a new head of Americas policy.