Government Relations Director

At Early Warning, we’ve powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle®, Paze℠, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses.

Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment.

Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship.

This position will sit in Washington, D.C.

Overall Purpose 

The Government Relations Director is responsible for the execution of Early Warning Services’ Government Relations program to include proactive engagement and best-in-class advocacy to influence and shape public policy outcomes. The Director will work with the Government Relations team in the timely identification, analyses and communication of public policy and federal legislative threats and opportunities affecting our business. This role is responsible for establishing and fostering strong relationships with key Congressional offices, government agencies, trade associations, and owner bank government relations teams. In addition, the Director will assist with oversight of Early Warning’s lobbying firms and the administration of lobbying activities.   

Essential Functions  

•  Develop and execute Early Warning’s government relations strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders including Public Affairs, Government Relations and Public Policy, and the Executive Leadership Team. 

• Ensure timely identification, analyses, and communication of public policy and regulatory threats and opportunities affecting the Company. 

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop a deep understanding of EWS legislative and regulatory priorities and leading the development of positions and strategies to support those priorities.  

• Consult with EWS owner bank Government Relations teams to ensure alignment and awareness, identifying best practices, and opportunities to partner. 

• Proactively manage the relationships with lobbying firms, consultants, and vendors supporting the Government Relations function. 

• Strategically leverage lobbyists and trade associations to expand and deepen the Government Relations team’s reach and influence. 

• Cultivate, develop, and foster strong relationships with key federal and state Congressional offices, government agencies, trade associations, and owner bank government relations teams.  

• Organize key leader engagements with policy makers for EWS leadership. 

• Proactively identify, analyze, communicate, and monitor legislative measures, issues, and trends of importance to identify risks and opportunities to the company. 

• Support the Government Relations team processes for preparation and delivery of timely reports, analyses, issue briefs, comment letters, talking points, position papers, and analyses for presentation to key internal and external stakeholders on key measures and issues impacting the Company. 

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all lobbying reporting and disclosure obligations as required by and in compliance with applicable state and federal law.   

• Support the company's commitment to risk management and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of systems and data. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Education and experience typically obtained through completion of a bachelor’s degree in business or related field. 

• 6 or more years of progressive, professional government relations, legal, or related Financial Services experience; with at least four years of experience working with U.S. Congressional members, offices, and/or committees acquired while serving in one of the following roles: 

• As a U.S. Congressional staff member (e.g., Legislative Director, Legislative Assistant or Legislative Counsel); 

• As a government relations professional with a corporate government relations team, trade association, or government relations advisory firm; or 

• With a federal financial regulator (e.g., CFPB, OCC, FRB, or FDIC). 

• Deep knowledge of the federal legislative and rulemaking processes. 

• Understanding of the consumer financial services industry and applicable laws and regulations. 

• Strong leadership and relationship building capabilities, with the ability to influence outcomes. 

• Excellent research and analytical skills. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to tailor information to audience.  

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment. 

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities. 

• Background and drug screen. 

Preferred Qualifications 

•  Experience with the U.S. House Financial Services or Senate Banking Committees. 

• Understanding of the laws and regulations applicable to the payments and/or consumer reporting industries. 

• Additional related education and/or experience preferred (e.g., Juris Doctor).

 Physical Requirements 

Working conditions consist of a normal office environment. Work is primarily sedentary and requires extensive use of a computer and involves sitting for periods of approximately four hours. Work may require occasional standing, walking, kneeling and reaching. Must be able to lift 10 pounds occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently. Requires visual acuity and dexterity to view, prepare, and manipulate documents and office equipment including personal computers. Requires the ability to communicate with internal and/or external customers. 

Employee must be able to perform essential functions and physical requirements of position with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States at the date of hire. 

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow instructions and perform other related duties as assigned by their supervisor. 

The base pay scale for this position in:

Washington, DC in USD per year is: $150,000 - $170,000.
Additionally, candidates are eligible for a discretionary incentive plan and benefits.

This pay scale is subject to change and is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific candidate, which is always dependent on legitimate factors considered at the time of job offer. Early Warning Services takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining a competitive salary offer, including, but not limited to, the job scope, market rates and geographic location of a position, candidate’s education, experience, training, and specialized skills or certification(s) in relation to the job requirements and compared with internal equity (peers). The business actively supports and reviews wage equity to ensure that pay decisions are not based on gender, race, national origin, or any other protected classes.

Some of the Ways We Prioritize Your Health and Happiness 

•  Healthcare Coverage – Competitive medical (PPO/HDHP), dental, and vision plans as well as company contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) or pre-tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health & dependent care expenses.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Featuring a 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility.

• Paid Time Off – Unlimited Time Off for Exempt (salaried) employees, as well as generous PTO for Non-Exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day.

• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave

• Maven Family Planning – provides support through your Parenting journey including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work.

And SO much more! We continue to enhance our program, so be sure to check our Benefits page here for the latest. Our team can share more during the interview process!

Early Warning Services, LLC (“Early Warning”) considers for employment, hires, retains and promotes qualified candidates on the basis of ability, potential, and valid qualifications without regard to race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other bases such as medical condition, marital status or any other factor that is irrelevant to the performance of our employees.