Director, State & Local Government Affairs

Company Description

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

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

The Director, State and Local Government Affairs, is responsible for managing state and local legislative and regulatory issues in the Western half of the United States. This job will be based in Denver, Colorado and report to Visa’s Head of State and Local Government Affairs. The Director will help shape Visa’s external engagement with third party organizations, policymakers, and influencers in support of the Company’s policy agenda. The Director will also work with Visa’s North America business leadership to drive community engagement with elected officials, third party groups and other external stakeholders. The position requires a deep understanding of state legislative and political affairs. Ideally, candidates will have both U.S. state-level 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.  

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.

• Manage 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 office will be confirmed by your hiring manager.

Visa will accept applications for this role until at least August 1st,  2025.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:
•10 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD
•10+ years of substantive experience in multi-state government relations, legislative affairs, and advocacy.
•Expert 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.

Preferred Qualifications:
•12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
•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.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position require