Director of Government Affairs

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. You will be 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 Kikoff's government affairs strategy, with an initial focus on federal and state policy affecting earned wage access and consumer credit-building products.
• Represent Kikoff before legislators, legislative staff, federal and state financial regulators, attorneys general, and other public officials.
• Serve as 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 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

Originally posted on Himalayas