Director of Government Affairs

Kikoff; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits (employee coverage)

RSUs

Job summary

Kikoff seeks its first government affairs leader to shape and advance the company’s public policy agenda for its earned wage access service, Grant Cash Advance. You will be the primary voice with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders, guiding strategy to a workable legal framework for EWA.

This high-impact role demands durable relationship-building, translating policy into business strategy, and navigating a fast-moving regulatory landscape with nationwide travel.

Qualifications

• 4–10 years of government affairs, policy, or regulatory experience.
• Proven ability to build relationships with policymakers and regulators.
• Experience developing multi-state legislative or regulatory strategies.
• Experience engaging outside lobbyists or consultants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute government affairs strategy focusing on earned wage access and consumer credit-building products.
• Represent Kikoff before legislators, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead collaboration with trade associations and coalitions; shape industry positions.
• Build relationships with consumer advocacy groups and think tanks.
• Monitor and report on legislative developments; advise on responses and model language.
• Identify, hire, and manage outside lobbyists and consultants; manage budget and performance.
• Advise leadership on PR positioning and messaging related to policy issues.
• Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Product, and Exec teams to align policy with business goals.
• Oversee lobbying registration, reporting, and political activity compliance.

Skills

Government affairs

Policy strategy

Stakeholder relations

Multistate strategy

Fintech knowledge

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy or political science

Job description

Kikoff: The Fintech Powering Financial Security at Scale

Kikoff is a profitable, pre-IPO fintech company on a mission to empower everyone to achieve financial security. With record revenue growth in 2025 and a unicorn valuation, we've built a suite of products that help millions of people build credit, access liquidity, and save money.

We're scaling fast. Join us if you want to build something meaningful and help millions of people move forward financially.

Why Kikoff:

This is a consumer fintech startup, and you will be working with serial entrepreneurs who have built strong consumer brands and innovative products. We value extreme ownership, clear communication, a strong sense of craftsmanship, and the desire to create lasting work and work relationships. Yes, you can build an exciting business AND have real-life real-customer impact.

The Role

Kikoff is seeking its first government affairs leader to shape and advance the company's public policy agenda at the federal and state levels for its earned wage access (EWA) service, Grant Cash Advance. You will be Grant’s Kikoff's primary voice with legislators, regulators, trade associations, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders, and you will lead strategy to support a clear, workable legal framework for earned wage access (EWA). This is a high-impact, hands-on role for someone who builds durable relationships, translates policy into business strategy, and is comfortable operating in a fast-moving, evolving regulatory landscape.

The role will involve regular nationwide travel.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute Grant’s Kikoff's government affairs strategy, with an initial focus on federal and state policy affecting earned wage access and consumer credit-building products.
• Represent Grant Kikoff before legislators, legislative staff, federal and state financial regulators, attorneys general, and other public officials.
• Serve as Grant’s Kikoff's representative to relevant trade associations and industry coalitions, taking active roles on committees and working groups and helping shape industry positions.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with consumer advocacy groups, community organizations, think tanks, and other stakeholders, including those who may hold differing views.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on legislative and regulatory developments; assess business impact and recommend responses, including testimony, comment letters, and model legislative language, in coordination with Legal and Compliance.
• Identify, hire, and manage outside lobbyists and consultants across priority states and at the federal level, including setting objectives, overseeing budgets, and evaluating performance.
• Advise executive leadership and the communications team on public relations positioning, messaging, and reputational considerations related to policy issues and regulatory developments.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Product, and Executive teams to ensure policy strategy aligns with business priorities and product roadmaps.
• Oversee compliance with lobbying registration, reporting, and political activity rules, in coordination with Legal.
• Represent Grant Kikoff at hearings, conferences, industry events, and stakeholder meetings nationwide.

What We’re Looking For

• 4–10 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative or regulatory affairs, or advocacy, gained in-house, at a trade association, at a public affairs firm, or in government service.
• A self-starter with a founder’s mindset and is comfortable establishing and honing processes where little internal infrastructure exists
• Demonstrated track record of building and leveraging relationships with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders at the state and/or federal level.
• Experience developing and executing multi-state legislative or regulatory strategies.
• Experience engaging, directing, and managing outside lobbyists or consultants.
• Experience in fintech, consumer financial services, or payments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex financial and regulatory issues for diverse audiences.
• Sound judgment on messaging and public positioning; comfort advising senior leadership.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Willingness to travel nationally as needed.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with earned wage access, consumer lending, or credit-reporting policy issues.
• Experience working with fintech or financial services trade associations.
• Existing relationships with state financial regulators, state legislators, the CFPB, or other federal financial agencies.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in public policy, political science, or a related field.

Compensation

US salary range: $150,000 - $220,000 base + equity

Medical, dental, vision — Kikoff covers the full cost for employees, 50% for dependents

RSUs

Base Range

$150,000 - $220,000 USD

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Kikoff Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.