Director, Government Affairs

Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is boldly redefining commerce by simplifying complex payments ecosystems across the world. As the leader in commerce-enabling technology, Shift4 powers billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses in virtually every industry. For more information, visit www.shift4.com.

Director, Government Affairs

Shift4 is expanding globally and hiring a key Director, Government Affairs to lead the organization’s domestic and international government affairs strategy, serving as a key advisor to the Chief of Staff and executive leadership on legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters.

This high-profile role will oversee relationships with government entities, trade associations, lobbyists, and other external stakeholders while monitoring policy developments that may impact the organization’s business and strategic objectives.

The Director will develop and execute advocacy strategies, assess emerging regulatory and legislative risks and opportunities, and coordinate cross-functional efforts to ensure the organization is positioned effectively on issues of importance. This role requires strong judgment, executive presence, and the ability to navigate complex domestic and international policy environments.

This is an onsite role based at Shift4 headquarters in Center Valley, PA, requiring approximately 30% travel to Philadelphia / DC regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organization’s domestic and international government affairs strategy in alignment with overall business and corporate objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief of Staff and executive leadership on legislative, regulatory, political, and public policy developments and their potential impact on the organization.
• Lead relationships with trade associations, government officials, regulatory agencies, lobbyists, and other external stakeholders, representing the organization’s interests at domestic and international levels.
• Oversee trade association memberships and strategic participation, including evaluating opportunities, managing relationships, and ensuring the organization derives value from its external affiliations.
• Monitor and assess legislative and regulatory developments at the federal, state, local, and international levels, translating complex developments into clear business implications, recommendations, and action plans for leadership.
• Lead the coordination and oversight of external lobbyists and government affairs consultants, establishing priorities, monitoring deliverables, and evaluating effectiveness against organizational objectives.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies related to key legislative and regulatory priorities, including engagement with congressional offices, government agencies, foreign governments, and multilateral organizations, as appropriate.
• Partner closely with Legal, Compliance, Risk, Finance, Operations, and other cross-functional teams to identify emerging policy risks and opportunities and develop coordinated organizational responses.
• Establish and maintain reporting dashboards and executive-level updates that communicate government affairs activities, regulatory developments, policy risks, and strategic priorities.
• Lead the preparation of executive briefing materials, policy positions, talking points, stakeholder maps, and other materials supporting senior leadership engagements.
• Build and maintain a strong network of internal and external stakeholders to proactively identify emerging issues and influence policy outcomes relevant to the organization.
• Provide strategic guidance on international policy matters and assess potential geopolitical, regulatory, and legislative developments that may affect the organization’s global operations.
• Represent the organization in relevant industry forums, conferences, trade associations, and government affairs meetings.
• Lead ad hoc policy research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic initiatives in support of the organization’s broader government affairs and corporate objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Government Affairs, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in government affairs, public policy, lobbying, regulatory affairs, advocacy, or a related field, preferably within a corporate, technology, financial services, payments, or similarly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing government affairs or public policy strategies at the domestic and/or international level.
• Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, and government processes, with the ability to assess complex policy developments and translate them into actionable business recommendations.
• Established relationships and demonstrated experience engaging with government officials, regulatory agencies, trade associations, lobbyists, and other external stakeholders.
• Experience managing external government affairs consultants, lobbyists, or strategic partners.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to effectively advise and influence senior leaders.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy matters clearly to both executive and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across jurisdictions and time zones.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and operate effectively in a highly complex and evolving regulatory environment.
• Preferred: Experience with international policy, global regulatory affairs, trade associations, financial services or payments policy, and/or relevant professional government affairs or public policy organizations.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.