Director Public Policy

Role & responsibilities

An experienced Government and Community relations practitioner to help design and implement Mastercards public policy advocacy efforts across the South Asia Division (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka) with a primary focus on India.

Overview

• Mastercard’s Public Policy team protects and defends Mastercard’s reputational and regulatory interests in markets around the world
• We build programs that earn the goodwill of governments, regulators, merchants and consumers through direct policy-maker and other stakeholder engagement and public-private partnerships
• Our aim is to reduce the threat of negative regulation and build the platform for policies that build Mastercard’s business by supporting and advising Mastercard’s business strategy, working to ensure that when regulation is sought, it is done so sensibly and fairly
• This role forms part of a team driving Mastercard’s public policy advocacy efforts in India and is responsible for delivering the government relations and regulatory affairs disciplines.
• The role will focus on developing how Mastercard’s interests can be advanced through engagement with Government and other influencers in India.

Role

• Part of an expanded team implementing an extended government affairs program in an effort to establish Mastercard as a recognized expert and resource in the payments industry and act as a key contact for India’s government and political influencers.
• Work with the international and regional policy teams to implement public policy program for India. The program will be designed to both lead and respond to regulatory and legislative threats to Mastercard and/or the payment industry.
• Work on political/government engagement along with the Division President and Senior members of the Public Policy team on special projects.
• Help implement a proactive public policy outreach program working in conjunction with Mastercard’s public policy teams around the world.
• Prepare submissions to regulatory reviews and engage in consultation with regulators – central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Union Ministry of Finance in India.
• Scanning the regulatory, legislative and political horizon for relevant regulatory changes (both immediate and long-term). Brief local, regional and global executive management of regulatory developments and recommend organization’s response.
• Working with internal stakeholders and experts to determine potential opportunities and regulatory issues arising from such changes that may impact the Company, its operating models, products and clients.
• Providing internal communications of regulatory change including briefings and education.
• Provide media and talking points and coordinate with Internal Communications for thought leadership.
• Contributing to Public Policy and advocacy activity within Mastercard which will include coordinating and drafting responses to public consultation papers, position papers and speaking notes for Company representation in conferences, panels, round tables etc.
• Participating in industry associations and other industry group work on regulatory change including contributing to industry association responses to consultation papers.
• Advance bilateral advocacy opportunities (India US) – USIBC, Commerce, USTR, US Embassy etc.
• Contributing to development of business strategies, contribute to the maintaining and strengthening of relationships with policymakers for firm and its senior leadership, as appropriate working with Legal, Corporate Communications and Philanthropy/CSR activities.
• Support Third Party strategic engagement on policy advocacy and coalition building.
• Support to instruction and management of external counsel, (including assistance with analysis and collation of advice from such counsel).
• Assistance with the development of formal training sessions for business colleagues on relevant topics.

The role will be based in Delhi and report into Business Leader for Public Policy (South Asia).

About you

• The ideal candidate will be an experienced government relations executive with a demonstrated capacity to build and execute public affairs programs that support business growth within a dynamic and changing corporation.
• Educated to degree level, with experience in similar Public Policy/Government Relations roles in a multinational business or agency or high profile association and with strong background in dealing with Government in terms of frequency and quality of relationships.
• An intimate working knowledge of the processes and inner workings of the Indian legislative and political process and an ability to analyze the impact of legislation on the company and develop strategies to move their interests forward.
• Familiarity with current legal, regulatory and market trends impacting Mastercard.
• A team player who will work well with senior business and functional leaders of Mastercard. Must be able to work independently and also constructively as a collaborative team-player. High-energy, self-motivated, results-driven.
• Must possess strong analytical approach to problem solving, ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems, able to deal with short deadlines and work productively in high pressure situations in dynamic commercial and policy environments.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication and interpersonal skills as a foundation for developing and maintaining strong internal relationships at all levels, cross-functionally and across business units and geographies within the Company.
• Knowledge and experience of the financial services and payments sector is a plus. Experience in technology sector also a plus.

The candidate should also have:

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Adept problem solving skills – ability to identify practical solutions.
• Flexible and adaptable working style to react to demanding workload and changing priorities.
• Self-motivation to drive delivery against objectives – ability to work autonomously.
• Customer orientation & specifically a willingness to learn and to cultivate good working relationships with internal clients.
• Experience in balancing commercial flexibility and risk management.
• A willingness to work as part of a team and help out on all matters.
• Genuine interest in public policy, current events and the political environment.

Preferred candidate profile

Perks and benefits