Senior Manager, State & Local Government Affairs - DC

Team Summary 

Visa’s North America Government Affairs organization aims to create broad alignment between Visa’s business objectives and public policies that affect the payments industry. Our North America Government Affairs team is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with colleagues in Canada, California, Colorado, and Utah. We engage with a wide range of policy makers and stakeholders to advocate, educate, and provide thought leadership as it relates to Visa’s policy interests to expand access and usage of digital payments around the world. Our team works closely with colleagues across the company including Social Impact & Sustainability, Communications, Marketing, Finance, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Account Executives, Global Policy, Product, Business Solutions, and Visa Consulting & Analytics. Together, the team ensures that North America Government Affairs continues to maintain its high standard of support for addressing regulatory and policy challenges and enabling business opportunities. 

Position Summary:  

Reporting to Visa’s Head of State and Local Government Affairs, the Senior Manager of State and Local Government Affairs will help shape and manage regional (multi-state) and local engagement with third-party organizations, policymakers, community partners, and other external stakeholders on in support of Visa’s public policy issues. 

The position requires a firm understanding of state political affairs. Ideally, candidates will have both U.S. government relations experience (with a preference for candidates having done multi-state work), as well as a background in the financial services, payments, or technology industries.   

This position will be based in Washington, DC or Atlanta, Georgia. 

Essential Functions: 

• Build strategic and long-term relationships with state legislators, state executive branch officials and staff, and local officials. 
• Engage with third-party policy groups, trade associations, and political organizations. 
• Work with consultants in support of Visa’s government relations priorities. 
• Monitor and track proposed legislation and communicate possible effects relative to Visa’s priorities. 

Represent Visa at political and industry functions. 

• Plan and coordinate meetings between Visa executives and elected officials to discuss legislative issues. 
• Prepare briefing documents to support Visa’s public policy engagement. 

  This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in the office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Basic Qualifications:

• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 2 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 9 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or 7 or more relevant years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 3 or more years of experience with a PhD
• 6+ years of substantive experience in multi-state government relations, legislative affairs, and advocacy.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes and experience analyzing complex legislation, regulation, and business planning documents.
• Deep understanding of state lobbying and ethics compliance. Strong integrity, personal character, and commitment to ethical conduct.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in setting priorities and interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong collaborator, with the ability to work in partnership internally and with cross functional teams to achieve shared objectives.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans to advance policy objectives.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Goal driven, able to function independently to meet deadlines and achieve results.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining strategic relationships with legislative and executive branch officials and working with local communities.
• Background in the financial services, payments, and/or technology industries. Other highly regulated industries will be considered.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Teams (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint) with demonstrated experience developing PowerPoints and briefing documents for an executive audience.

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for this position is 152,200.00 to 243,700.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.