Head of Government Relations, North America

hackajob is collaborating with Wise to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

Company Description

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money.

Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.

As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money.

For everyone, everywhere.

With Wise, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too, through Wise Platform. Wise is one of the world’s fastest growing, consistently profitable listed tech companies offering a service to retail consumers through an app, card or online; Wise launched in 2011 and is currently listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker WISE, but has recently announced that it will be moving its primary listing to the United States, retaining a secondary listing in the UK. Wise supports around 15.6 million people and businesses, and processes approximately US$200 billion annually in cross-border transactions, saving customers an estimated £2 billion in hidden fees

Job Description

More about our mission and what we offer.

The NorthAm Policy/GR Lead will be the first point of contact for US and Canada government relations/policy and lead activity to influence policy decisions that improve the outcomes for customers, through greater competition and lower prices. Wise will be a dual-listed US-UK company by the time you take up the role, so navigating this will present an additional context that will be very new to the company.

You’ll know how to navigate the US and Canadian political landscape in order to generate policy outcomes to benefit our customers. With a focus on the issues of access to payments systems and price transparency, you’ll have to navigate political and industry dynamics, through building coalitions and advancing compelling arguments.

You'll represent Wise in industry groups and civil society organizations, prepare and brief Wise executives for policymaker meetings, and translate complex policy developments to cross-team colleagues and Wise leadership. You will be an advocate for our G20 Scorecard Reports, and for making progress on direct access and price transparency, the two pillars of the G20 Cross Border Payments Roadmap.

You’ll sit within the global Government Relations (policy) team and will manage two direct reports, also based in DC. You will primarily work with banking, PR, product, compliance and legal colleagues, as well as other GR colleagues. Additionally, there is regular travel expected to: London, Austin, New York and Tallinn, Estonia.

About You

• Passionate: You’ll be a skilled advocate and deeply passionate about Wise, our Mission, and delivering for our customers.
• Political and/or policy experience: You’ll have deep US political and/or policy experience and demonstrate the ability to work on financial services.
• Laser focused on outcomes: We’re a scale-up and you will need an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive. You’ll be laser focused on driving outcomes to benefit our customers.
• Media-savvy and a skilled communicator: You’ll be a versatile and skilled writer even on complicated issues. You are confident and compelling with multiple styles, and understand how to leverage public-facing mediums to drive policy outcomes.
• Without borders: You’re curious about other cultures, have a global mindset, and though the role is US-based, you are prepared to spend time abroad for work.
• Coalition builder: You’ll understand how to leverage relationships, create connections, and ultimately build coalitions, with industry, consumers, and governments.
  
  

Qualifications

Experience required:

• 10 years’ experience in public policy and government relations, in public and/or private sectors.
• At least 3 years’ experience as a lead, and a record of development of their direct reports.
• A strong track record of impactful activity in US political/policy/government in the financial services industry, relevant Departments in the Administration, with Federal financial agencies, on the Hill or a combination of these.
• Clear alignment with Wise’s Mission.
• Polished speaker and writer, with the gravitas to represent Wise at a senior level.
  
  

Additional Information

Nice To Haves

• Experience in fintech/finance with payments/banking.
• Experience beyond U.S. policy and government, preferably in Canada.
• Experience working with multiple regulators and policymakers, notably in Canada or other jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of Wise’s products.
  
  

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.

Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.

Keep up to date with life at Wise by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.