Head of Policy and Government Relations for the Americas
- Full-time
Company Description
We believe the economy is better when everyone has access. When everyone has room to grow. No one should be left out because the cost is too great or the technology too complex. We started with a little white credit card reader but haven’t stopped there. We’re empowering the independent electrician to send invoices, setting up the favorite food truck with a delivery option, helping the ice cream shop pay its employees, and giving the burgeoning coffee chain capital for a second, third, and fourth location. We’re here to help sellers of all sizes start, run, and grow their business—and helping them grow their business is good business for everyone.
Job Description
This role's location may be based in either Washington D.C. or the Bay Area.
We are seeking an exceptional senior leader to be Square's Head of Policy and Government Relations for the Americas. In this role, you will work with our CEO and senior leadership team to define how the company analyzes, understands, navigates, and shapes the regulatory systems in the United States, Canada, and future North and South American markets. You will also take an active role in managing many of the company's industry relationships, particularly relationships with non-governmental, quasi-regulatory bodies in the financial industry.
You will:
Lead, develop, and execute strategies for engaging government officials and regulators in the United States, Canada, and future markets in the Americas
Engage proactively and reactively with government officials and regulators at the local, state, federal, and international levels, regarding Square's current and future products to ensure that Square is able to operate successfully and on a level playing field
Maintain fluency on a wide variety of regulatory and policy issues including financial regulation, commerce and trade, tax, intellectual property, employment, and privacy
Develop proactive public affairs efforts that promote access, equity, inclusion, and diversity with internal and external communities
Serve as an effective advocate for Square and our customers on key policy and political matters, and craft positions for the company that will establish it publicly as a thought leader and innovator
Communicate effectively with government officials, internal colleagues, business partners, and merchant associations
Grow and manage a distributed team of government relations, community affairs, and public policy professionals, working cross-functionally with various teams including business, engineering, legal, product, and communications
Qualifications
You have:
15+ years of experience in government relations or closely related fields; experience working both inside and outside of government. Subject areas that you will be expected to cover include financial regulation, commerce and trade, tax, intellectual property, employment, and privacy
Strong experience with U.S. and international regulatory systems and regulators; familiarity with financial and commercial regulations preferred
Excellent interpersonal, communications, and advocacy skills; an ability to effectively explain complicated issues and policy positions to any audience
A sound understanding of government affairs and exemplary strategic instincts, a love of technology, and passion for Square's purpose
A track record of success building strong relationships in a highly matrixed, fast-paced environment with changing priorities
Impeccable ethics and high integrity
A self-starter attitude: you instinctively and consistently create personal and professional stretch goals and meet them
Curiosity, creative thinking, and a sense of humor
An appreciation of the Oxford comma
Additional Information
At Square, our purpose is to empower – within and outside of our walls. In order to build the best tools for the businesses and customers we support all over the world, we have to start at home with a workforce as diverse and empowered as our sellers. To this end, we take great care to evaluate all employees and job applicants equally, based on merit, competence, and qualifications. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and always consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Applicants in need of special assistance or accommodation during the interview process or in accessing our website may contact us by sending an email to assistance(at)squareup.com. We will treat your request as confidentially as possible. In your email, please include your name and preferred method of contact, and we will respond as soon as possible.