Director, Government Affairs and Policy, Dach

**Our Purpose**
- Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential._

**Title and Summary**

Director, Government Affairs and Policy, DACH

The Director Government Affairs and Policy, DACH will be supporting the day-to-day management and maintenance of the relationships between Mastercard and politicians, regulators, government officials and key third party stakeholders in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The responsibility will cover both domestic and EU matters that are of interest for Mastercard.

This role will support significantly the logístical running of the department, managing the day-to-day relationship with consultancy support, while producing thought leadership and strategies for engaging stakeholders across the DACH region - in close alignment with the DACH cluster lead. They will also be responsible for maintaining open communication channels with wider Mastercard Government Affairs and Policy colleagues across Europe to ensure consistent messaging and approach to stakeholder management.

The Director Government Affairs and Policy DACH will contribute to the creation and implementation of Mastercard’s policy strategy in their areas of responsibility but also support and be cognizant of the requirements of the multi-rail vision, in which Mastercard offers both cards and account-to-account payment solutions.
- Reporting to the Director Government Affairs and Policy, Head of DACH to support overseeing all public policy activity across the DACH markets ensuring strategies are aligned with EU and Global Government Affairs and Policy, Legal Franchise & Integrity and wider business objectives.
- Support the Country Managers and Business Teams in protecting and growing the business and ensure that the Country Management teams are regularly briefed and supportive of activity.

Development of policy positions
- Work with other Government Affairs and Policy colleagues and relevant internal stakeholders across Mastercard to develop proactive and reactive policy positions on a broad range of issues.
- Manage the production of research and drafting of responses to consultations and inquiries, bringing in expertise from across the business as required.
- Manage the production of proactive thought leadership and briefing papers in support of the business.
- Work with trusted third parties to develop thought leadership platforms, where appropriate.

Represent Mastercard amongst the stakeholder community
- Participate in relevant working groups and trade associations.
- Represent Mastercard and strengthen relationships with the stakeholder community.

Support managing the day-to-day running of the Government Affairs and Policy team’s external engagement programs:

- Identify opportunities for Mastercard to project its views to external stakeholders either through thought leadership, events, targeted engagement programs etc.
- Lead the stakeholder engagement in co-ordination with consultancy support and the broader Mastercard business.
- Ensure regular briefing notes and records are kept and communicated to internal business areas.
- Support the communication of Mastercard’s views to all external stakeholders
- Responsibility for the organization of policy events and engagement programs.
- Contribute to the development of high-quality materials and messages for stakeholder engagement.
- Identify further engagement opportunities and support as necessary.
- Preparation of internal briefing materials on policy matters in advance of stakeholder meetings.

Support the communication of intelligence, analysis and activity to internal audiences:

- Manage the production of briefings on key political announcements for internal audiences.
- Attend internal briefings and meetings, representing the Government Affairs and Policy department as required.
- Deliver a relevant and valued monitoring/intelligence service to the business. Ensure monitoring and intelligence is communicated to internal audiences in a timely manner using appropriate mediums.

Manage resources
- Manage the day-to-day relationship with external consultancy service providers. Regularly review services against business requirements, ensuring relevancy and value for money.
- Identify and evaluate new ways of working, including evaluating external service providers.

Knowledge & Experience:
Experience of working in a public policy/public affairs/government relations role either in a consultancy/agency, in house or trade association in a related field.

Knowledge of the political and legislative process in both the EU