Public Policy Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Pontera is a fintech company on a mission to help people retire better. Our software platform enables retirement savers to get the help they need managing their 401(k) and other retirement plan accounts as part of a personalized strategy by their trusted financial advisor.

Pontera is used by financial advisors across the nation from SMB to Fortune 500 RIA firms, independent broker-dealers, plan custodians, and plan advisors.

Backed by leading venture capital firms including ICONIQ Growth and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Pontera is built by talented individuals who share a dedication to helping people retire with greater security.

Our team is fast-growing and driven to become one of the largest fintech companies in the world. Our culture is built on a people-first principle : in a complex and numbers-driven industry, we never lose sight of the people we serve and work alongside.

That's where you come in.

DESCRIPTION

Pontera is seeking a Public Policy Lead to shape and advocate for policies that support the company's mission and business objectives.

Reporting to our Director of Public Policy, this role will be responsible for executing engagements and delivering outcomes with policymakers at the state and federal levels.

Key responsibilities include : owning relationships with state securities commissions and their staff; growing a network of compliance experts;

supporting executive engagements with federal officials; and developing policy research and thought leadership in a fast-moving area.

The ideal candidate has top-notch communication skills, proven ability to manage complexity, and a passion for driving policy outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Represent Pontera with state securities regulators - Pontera engages state securities regulators to deliver clarity for advisors and retirement savers using our service.

These relationships require cultivation and attention as our platform evolves and regulators deepen their understanding of technology-driven solutions.

Build a Pontera Compliance Network - Build a network of Investment Advisor (IA) compliance consultants to grow their awareness of Pontera, tap into their insights, and provide education about secure and compliant 401(k) management via Pontera.

Collaborate with the marketing department to develop resources to build this network and deliver value (e.g. quarterly webinars, newsletter, etc.).

Develop policy research - Develop and maintain research on state and federal regulations and other stakeholder policies (e.

g. financial institutions) that have implications for IAs, their end clients, and Pontera.

Develop thought leadership - Drawing on your policy, industry, and consumer research, craft unique thought leadership materials that build Pontera as a trusted, consumer-centric brand while delivering valuable insights to policymakers and other key stakeholders.

Collaborate with the marketing department to disseminate thought leadership materials.

• Support engagements with federal officials - Support the Director's engagements with public officials and their member associations, which may include tapping into policy and enforcement research to inform our presentation, collaborating with Pontera's counsel on the agenda, developing presentation materials, attending, and following up on deliverables.
• Build relationships within industry associations - Ensure Pontera is maximizing value in our industry association memberships by forming strong relationships with staff, participating in relevant policy work, accessing and analyzing early policy proposals, and more.
• Develop policy proposals and responses - Lead material creation and delivery for proposals (e.g., formal comment letters).

Additionally, assist in the development of responsive materials for regulators (e.g., inquiry responses) with the help of counsel and other team members.

Become an internal thought partner - Become a partner and resource for internal departments in the areas of compliance, public policy, and public opinion.

REQUIREMENTS

• 5-7 years experience in public policy, government relations, or related fields, with a focus on financial services. Prior experience engaging directly with state or federal securities regulators is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, or related field
• Proven track record of successfully building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders in the public sector.
• Experience presenting complex technical subject matter to regulatory audiences.
• Strong understanding of public policy issues related to consumer finance, data privacy, retirement, and securities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate policy ideas to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work at both the strategic and the details-level, seeing relationships and objectives from start to finish.

Bonus Points

• Master's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, or related field
• Experience working with financial regulators to drive policy outcomes

WHAT WE OFFER

• Compensation : $120,000 to $160,000 annually
• Opportunity : Have a major impact at a fast-growing startup that is revolutionizing the FinTech industry
• Team Culture : A collegial, collaborative, fun work environment with frequent team events
• Equity : All new hires are eligible for equity grant participation
• Healthcare : Comprehensive & affordable insurance benefits with a variety of plan options
• Retirement : 401(k) with employer match & employer-sponsored access to a retirement advisor
• Family Benefits : Paid parental leave & reimbursement program for family planning services (such as fertility treatments, adoption, or surrogacy
• Professional Development : Sponsored learning & development program (to cover classes, certifications, and more!)
• Food Perks : Fully stocked kitchen & lunch reimbursement program
• Work Flexibility : A hybrid office work model (In-Office Tues / Weds / Thurs and WFH Mon / Fri) & generous PTO day

Pontera is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.