Director of State Government Affairs

Payactiv, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision insurance

401K with company match

Tuition assistance

Unlimited PTO

Gym reimbursement

Paid time off to volunteer

Paid Family Leave

Office lunches

Growth opportunities

Team collaboration

Job summary

Payactiv is a FinTech company focused on Earned Wage Access, helping workers access their wages. We seek a Director of State Government Affairs to lead nationwide state legislative and regulatory strategy, building bipartisan relationships and coordinating campaigns.

The role is remote (U.S.) or in-person at Payactiv's Milpitas, CA headquarters, with 30–50% travel and reporting to the Head of Public Policy. Join a mission-driven team making a difference.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10+ years in state government relations or related fields.
• Experience with state legislatures, governors' offices, regulatory agencies.
• Proven success advancing legislation across multiple states.
• Strong bipartisan relationships with policymakers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and public speaking.
• Ability to manage multiple campaigns in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized and self-directed; travel during sessions.
• Experience in payroll, labor policy, fintech, or regulated industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute state legislative strategy across priority states with session plans and advocacy.
• Build and maintain relationships with legislators, staff, officials, and in-state stakeholders.
• Develop state-specific legislative strategies, bill development, coalitions, and policymaker education.
• Coordinate legislative outreach, committee meetings, hearings, and lobbyist activities.
• Represent Payactiv before state legislatures, committees, agencies, and trade associations.
• Prepare and deliver legislative testimony as lead representative.
• Monitor state legislative activity and provide timely updates and strategic recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to advance Earned Wage Access legislation.
• Support long-term policy strategy and annual government affairs planning.

Skills

State government relations

Public policy

Lobbying

Bipartisan relationships

Communication skills

Public speaking

Project management

Travel flexibility

Fintech/regulatory knowledge

Job description

Driven by Excellence. Powered by Curiosity. United in Obsession to Do Good.

At Payactiv, we believe everyone is worthy of financial dignity. Our team is built on a shared obsession to create products that reduce financial stress and improve lives. We thrive on curiosity, strive for excellence, and act with purpose every day. If you’re inspired to reimagine what’s possible for workers everywhere, explore our openings—or reach out and introduce yourself. There’s always room at the table for passionate problem-solvers.

Position: Director of State Government Affairs

Location: Remote

Job Id: 236

# of Openings: 1

Job Title: Director of State Government Affairs

Location: Remote (U.S.) or in-person at Payactiv's Milpitas, CA headquarters

Travel: 30 to 50% (national travel required)

Reports to: Head of Public Policy

Who we are…

We are Payactiv, a FinTech company in the heart of Silicon Valley, devoted to giving workers access to their earned wages when they need them. Payactiv is the pioneer and industry leader in Earned Wage Access. We are the only Certified B Corporation and Public Benefit Corporation in our industry. Our app provides millions with financial services that help them avoid debt, manage their finances, and regain flexibility to pay for things on their own schedule. Payactiv is seeking a Director of State Government Affairs to lead execution of the company's state legislative and regulatory strategy across the United States. This individual will serve as Payactiv's primary day-to-day state government affairs professional, building relationships with legislators and industry stakeholders while advancing the company's policy priorities. Working closely with the Head of Public Policy, this role will coordinate lobbying activities, manage external consultants, support legislative campaigns, and ensure Payactiv remains a trusted resource for policymakers. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with exceptional execution, is highly organized, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and enjoys building bipartisan relationships across the country.

What you will do…

• Execute Payactiv's state legislative strategy across priority states, developing session plans and advocacy strategies to advance company objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, executive branch officials, and key in-state stakeholders.
• Develop and execute state-specific legislative strategies, including bill development, coalition building, and policymaker education.
• Coordinate legislative outreach, committee meetings, hearing preparation, and external lobbyist activities throughout legislative sessions.
• Represent Payactiv before state legislatures, legislative committees, executive agencies, trade associations, and industry events.
• Prepare and deliver legislative testimony, serving as the company's lead representative during committee hearings and other legislative proceedings.
• Monitor and analyze state legislative and regulatory activity, providing timely updates and strategic recommendations throughout the legislative cycle.
• Identify opportunities to proactively advance responsible Earned Wage Access legislation and strengthen Payactiv's position in key states.
• Support long‑term state policy strategy, legislative prioritization, and annual government affairs planning.

What you need…

• 5 to 10+ years of experience in state government relations, public policy, lobbying, or legislative affairs.
• Experience working with state legislatures, governors' offices, regulatory agencies, or national state policy organizations.
• Demonstrated success advancing legislation or regulatory initiatives across multiple states.
• Strong bipartisan relationship-building skills and credibility with policymakers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong public speaking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple legislative campaigns simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable with significant travel during state legislative sessions.
• Experience in payroll, labor policy, financial services, fintech, consumer finance, or regulated industries preferred.

What we offer…

• Company sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401K, traditional, and Roth with a company match
• Tuition Assistance or Tuition Reimbursement
• Unlimited Paid Time off
• Monthly Gym Reimbursement
• Paid time off to volunteerPaid Family Leave
• Complimentary office lunches
• Opportunity to grow
• Opportunity to work with a great team committed to making a difference.
• Salary range $140k to $180k + Bonus

Working here has its perks

Payactiv is a certified B-Corp and Public Benefit Corporation. Not only are we dedicated to conducting business with the highest standards, it’s our legal commitment.

Certified good guys

Our purpose is to help lower income workers reduce financial stress and improve wellbeing. Your work here would impact millions of people every single day.

Make it meaningful

We have a highly collaborative and lively environment. Join monthly team bonding events, workout groups, interest groups, or the dance party in the marketing office.

Culture is key

We encourage team members to attend events, find online courses, and explore their creative ideas. Ask about our education reimbursement programs.

We want you to excel

We encourage team members to attend events, find online courses, and explore their creative ideas. Ask about our education reimbursement programs.

We got you covered

We offer our employees health, dental, and vision coverage with a medical expense card to cover most co‑pays. We also offer a monthly internet and cell phone reimbursement.

Payactiv is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.