Associate Director, State Public Policy/ Government Relations

• Seasoned state public policy/government relations leader with deep financial services or fintech expertise who can navigate complex legislative environments and shape regulatory strategy with clarity and influence. Some federal public policy/government relations experience is a plus.
• You’ll drive state-level policy outcomes that unlock responsible innovation, protect our customers, and position Zip as a trusted leader in digital financial services. You may also support some federal policy outcomes as needed.
• Remote-first opportunity for US-based employees with the option to work in-person out of our Manhattan office, or remote from Washington DC preferred.

 Start your adventure with Zip

Zip is seeking a Senior Manager or Associate Director of State Public Policy/ Government Relations to develop and execute our U.S. state-level public policy and government affairs strategy. This role will lead Zip’s engagement with state legislators, regulators, industry associations, and third-party advocates to shape policy outcomes that enable responsible innovation in digital financial services. You may also support some federal public policy/government relations work as needed.

You will serve as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders, translating emerging legislative and regulatory developments into clear business impact and action plans. This role requires strategic foresight, strong cross-functional partnership, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-moving policy environments.

As part of the Government Affairs team, you will work closely with Legal, Risk, Compliance, Product, and Communications teams to ensure alignment between Zip’s growth strategy and the evolving state and federal regulatory landscape.

Interesting problems you’ll get to solve

• Develop and execute Zip’s state public policy and government affairs strategy across priority U.S. markets
• Monitor, analyze, and advise state legislation and regulatory proposals impacting consumer lending, BNPL, payments, data privacy, AI governance, and financial services innovation
• Proactively identify emerging policy developments that may affect product design, pricing structures, licensing, disclosures, or operations.
• Draft policy positions, comment letters, relevant media responses, briefing materials, and executive-level memos
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to assess policy risks and opportunities and inform product and market strategy
• Lead state-level advocacy campaigns, including coalition-building and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Represent Zip at state hearings, industry forums, and public policy events
• Engage with key state legislative and regulatory stakeholders
• Help shape Zip’s long-term positioning as a responsible innovator in consumer financial services
• Support similarly on a federal level as needed.

What you’ll bring to the team

• Minimum 10+ years experience in state government affairs, public policy, or legislative roles, preferably within financial services, fintech, payments, or similarly regulated industries. Some federal experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing multi-state advocacy strategies with measurable policy outcomes
• Deep understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes, including rulemaking, stakeholder engagement, and enforcement dynamics
• Experience engaging on issues related to consumer lending, fintech regulation, or payments
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory language into clear business implications
• Ability to synthesize policy developments into executive-ready materials and strategic recommendations
• Bachelor’s degree required; degree concentration in public policy, law degree or equivalent experience is preferred

What you’ll get in return

Zip is a place where you’ll get out what you put in. The newness of our sector means we need to move at pace and embrace change, and our promise to you when you join the team is that you’ll feel empowered and trusted to make big things happen quickly. 

We want you to feel welcome and as though you have the support to be yourself, and care for yourself at work. Because it’s important to us that you make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, and be surrounded by smart, friendly people and leaders that have your back.

We think these are just some of the best things about being a Zipster. We will also offer you:

• Flexible working culture
• Incentive programs
• Unlimited PTO
• Generous paid parental leave
• Leading family support policies
• Company-sponsored