Interested in working on cutting-edge blockchain technology and creating equitable access to the global financial system? Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform that operates at high-scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar ecosystem.

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SDF is hiring a key team member to lead the company’s public policy and government relations efforts in Washington, D.C. The individual will report to the General Counsel and will be responsible for developing the company’s public policy positions, crafting and executing a strategy to implement those positions, building and maintaining relationships with lawmakers, regulators, and other stakeholders in the policymaking community, and keeping the SDF team apprised of relevant policy developments. The individual will also partner closely with other Company leaders including the CEO, Director of Public Affairs, VP of Ecosystem, along with other cross-functional groups, to ensure that our external policy positions and messaging are aligned with the strategic and operational needs of the business.

In this role, you will:

• Develop comprehensive public policy positions on behalf of the company
• Author advocacy materials to explain public policy issues and company positions
• Develop and implement the company’s advocacy and lobbying strategy in consultation with internal stakeholders as well as our outside lobbying firm
• Serve as the company’s primary representative for blockchain trade associations
• Develop relationships and alliances with counterparts at other blockchain companies in an effort to enhance the industry’s advocacy
• Maintain a regular presence on Capitol Hill, both through formal meetings and informal networking opportunities
• Follow congressional committee hearings and markups, Congressional Blockchain Caucus events, SEC, CFTC, and FinCEN regulatory hearings, and other public policy briefings related to blockchain policy
• Track state, local, and international legal and policy developments and develop a strategic plan for engagement with relevant entities
• Speak at policy-focused events to educate policymakers and the blockchain community about company positions
• Assist in preparing CEO or other senior leaders to testify at Congressional hearings and briefings
• Maintain a steady cadence of updates on relevant policy developments for internal stakeholders
• Collaborate with other internal and external stakeholders on public policy initiatives that further the company’s mission

You have:

• 7+ years of experience either as a Capitol Hill staffer or at a relevant federal agency (SEC, CFTC, Treasury, etc.), or business experience in technology and/or financial services
• A demonstrated interest in and understanding of financial services, technology, and/or blockchain industries and related policies
• Understanding of the policy making process, including legislative, executive, and judicial branch processes
• Comfort with ambiguity, along with creative thinking – the capability to develop innovative public policy solutions for a fast-growing and evolving industry
• Strong communication skills – the ability to relay complex public policy positions in a manner that is easy to understand by regulators, Congress, and the general public – both verbally and in writing
• Independence – you are comfortable working remotely
• A passion for digging into the details – we need someone who is detail-oriented and can drill down into the details of laws, regulations, and legislation and explain these details to others
• A passion for advocating for technology to solve real world problems (e.g. financial inclusion)
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with a focus on effectively assessing opportunities and threats and anticipating developments as well as emerging trends
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to process, synthesize, and share significant amounts of disparate information
• Ability to build strong partnerships across all areas of the organization and levels
• Strong executive presence and presentation skills

Benefits/Perks:

• Competitive health, dental & vision coverage
• Flexible time off + 15 company holidays including a company-wide holiday break
• Paid parental leave
• Life & ADD
• Short & Long term disability
• FSA & Dependent Care Accounts
• 401K (4% match)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly gym allowance
• Daily lunch and snacks in-office
• L&D budget of $1,500/year
• Company retreats

About Stellar

Stellar is a decentralized, fast, scalable, and uniquely sustainable network for financial products and services. It is both a cross-currency transaction system and a platform for digital asset issuance, designed to connect the world’s financial infrastructure. Dozens of financial institutions worldwide issue assets and settle payments on the Stellar network, which has grown to over 4 million accounts.

About the Stellar Development Foundation

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization that supports the development and growth of Stellar, an open-source network that connects the world’s financial infrastructure. Founded in 2014, the Foundation helps maintain Stellar’s codebase, supports the technical and business communities building on the network, and serves as a voice to regulators and institutions. The Foundation seeks to create equitable access to the global financial system, using the Stellar network to unlock the world’s economic potential through blockchain technology.

We look forward to hearing from you!