Sr. Government Relations Manager

Blackhawk Network; United States; Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with employer match

Medical, dental, vision

12 paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Blackhawk Network seeks a strategic Sr. Government Relations Manager to lead government affairs across the U.S. and key international markets.

You will monitor legislation impacting payments, prepaid and gift cards, develop advocacy strategies, and advise executives on policy risks and opportunities. The role requires strong stakeholder management, experience with federal/state processes, and collaboration with legal teams, industry groups, and external consultants.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive government relations, public policy, or regulatory affairs experience in payments/fintech.
• Direct experience with US federal processes and state advocacy.
• International regulatory affairs experience; cross-country work is a plus.
• Track record managing multi-stakeholder policy issues.
• Experience with outside counsel and translating regulatory analysis into advocacy.
• Excellent executive presence; comfortable briefing senior leadership publicly.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate BHN's government affairs strategy across US (federal and state) and international jurisdictions.
• Track proposed legislation and regulatory activity affecting gift cards/payments; manage outreach and advocacy.
• Coordinate internal messaging and response management for new legislation with partners.
• Collaborate with local teams on international markets and regulators.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure consistent global positioning.
• Oversee outside consultants and lobbyists, including filing lobbying reports.
• Prepare executive briefings on legislative developments and risk exposure.
• Manage BHN's presence with trade associations and coalitions.

Skills

Government relations

Public policy

Regulatory affairs

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Travel willingness

Job description

About Blackhawk Network

Today, through BHN’s single global platform, businesses of all kinds can tap into the world’s largest network of branded payment solutions. BHN helps businesses grow revenue, increase loyalty, motivate and reward their teams, disburse funds and engage consumers. Branded payment solutions include the issuance and distribution of gift cards, egifts, corporate payouts and rewards, along with the technology to deliver these products in seamless, integrated ways. BHN’s network spans the globe with more than 400,000 consumer touchpoints. Learn more at BHN.com.

This position may be performed remotely anywhere within the United States except for the State of Alaska, North Dakota, or South Dakota. Employees located within 50 miles of a BHN office will be considered a "Hybrid" employee and are required to come into the office 2 days per week based on office schedule.

Overview

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.

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.

Qualifications

Required

• 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.

Strongly Preferred

• 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.

We seek candidates who not only demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in emerging technologies but have also successfully implemented and utilized AI tools to enhance their work, improve processes, or deliver measurable results. Our teams embrace continuous learning and the thoughtful integration of AI to create meaningful impact – for our employees and the future of work.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Benefits

Salary Range for all U.S. Residents (excluding Alaska, California, North Dakota, South Dakota): $122,210.00 to $165,000.00

Salary Range for California Residents Only: $157,030.00 to $212,000.00

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, Blackhawk Network offers benefits including 401k with employer match, medical, dental, vision, 12 paid holidays in the year 2026, sick pay accrual according to state law, parental leave, life insurance, disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, wellness benefits, and flexible time off for all full-time employees.

EEO Statement

Blackhawk Network provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Blackhawk Network believes that diversity leads to strength. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Blackhawk Network encourages applicants with previous criminal records to apply to all positions and, pursuant to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Acts (and other “Fair Chance” laws), Blackhawk Network will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For Philadelphia applicants or jobs, please see a copy of Philadelphia’s ordinance on this topic by clicking this link: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-280104.