Sr. Government Relations Manager

Blackhawk Network•Remote,

2d•$122,210 - $212,000•Remote

About The Position

BHN is seeking a strategic and experienced Sr. Government Relations Manager to lead government affairs initiatives across the U.S. and key international markets. This role is responsible for monitoring legislative and regulatory developments impacting the payments, prepaid, and gift card industries; developing advocacy strategies; building relationships with policymakers and regulators; and advising executive leadership on emerging policy risks and opportunities. The Director will collaborate closely with business leaders, legal teams, industry associations, and external consultants to ensure BHN's interests are effectively represented globally. Ideal candidates bring significant government relations, public policy, or regulatory affairs experience within payments, financial services, or fintech, along with strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.

Requirements

5-7 years of progressive government relations, public policy, or regulatory affairs experience, with meaningful time in the payments, financial services, or fintech sector.
Direct experience with US federal legislative and/or regulatory processes and state-level legislative advocacy.
Exposure to, or strong aptitude for, international regulatory and government affairs work; experience operating across multiple countries or regions is a plus even if not payments-specific.
Track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder issues across a range of policy areas.
Experience working closely with outside counsel and translating legal/regulatory analysis into advocacy strategy.
Excellent executive presence; comfortable briefing senior and executive leadership and representing the company publicly, domestically and abroad.
Domestic and international travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

Prior government relations, public policy, or public affairs experience at a card network (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex), major issuer, or prepaid/payments company — ideally with some international or global remit.
Existing relationships with congressional offices, state legislators, FinCEN/Treasury staff, or international financial regulators relevant to payments and financial crimes policy.
Familiarity with unclaimed property / escheatment law and its intersection with stored value and prepaid products.
Familiarity with international stored-value / e-money regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU, UK, or other markets relevant to BHN's footprint).
Experience participating in or leading multi-organization industry coalitions, ideally across more than one country.
Candidates who have successfully implemented and utilized AI tools to enhance their work, improve processes, or deliver measurable results.

Responsibilities

Coordinate BHN's government affairs strategy and efforts across US (federal and state) and international jurisdictions.
Track and analyze proposed legislation and regulatory activity affecting gift card / prepaid payments in US (federal, state, and local), analyze impact to BHN, and manage outreach and advocacy as appropriate, including coordination of response through industry partners, lobbying activities, or other strategic activities.
Coordinate internal messaging and assist in response management for newly enacted legislation and regulation, including partner communications and outreach.
Collaborate with local teams on management of BHN's government relations presence and strategy in priority international markets, including relationship-building with relevant regulators and legislators.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders, regional business leaders, and local counsel to ensure consistent global positioning.
Retain and oversee outside consultants and lobbyists as appropriate, including filing of any lobbying reports as may be required.
Prepare regular briefings for executive leadership on legislative/regulatory developments, risk exposure, and recommended positioning across all markets where BHN operates.
Manage BHN's presence in and relationship with relevant trade and industry associations and coalitions to ensure BHN's interests are represented.