Senior Director - Head of Government Affairs

 

Join a dynamic team at the pulse of global markets, where we deliver innovative software and service solutions for essential financial reporting and capital markets transactions. At DFIN, we are a values-driven organization that empowers you to build a fulfilling career while bringing your authentic self to work every day. Our “Win as One” mentality ensures that our team’s success is directly linked to Client, Shareholder and Employee Satisfaction.

In 2026, DFIN was named #1 on the 2026 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces® by Best Practice Institute. We have also been recognized as one of America’s Most Loved Workplaces® for five consecutive years and a Built In Best Place to Work for six years, reflecting our continued commitment to supporting employees’ total well-being.  Enjoy competitive compensation, a flexible workplace, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.  Bring your passion and talents to DFIN – because being YOU thrives here.

Summary:

The Head of Government Affairs will lead DFIN's government affairs strategy, helping anticipate, influence, and respond to legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments that impact the company's business, customers, and industry. This role serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, partnering across Product, Finance, Sales, Services, and Marketing teams to translate regulatory developments into business opportunities, risk mitigation strategies, and market advantage.

The ideal candidate combines deep regulatory and policy expertise with strong business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to build trusted relationships with regulators, policymakers, trade associations, and industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

Regulatory Strategy & Policy Leadership

• Monitor, analyze, and assess emerging federal, state, and international legislative and regulatory developments impacting DFIN and its clients.
• Develop and execute government affairs strategies that support enterprise priorities, growth initiatives, and regulatory objectives.
• Identify opportunities to proactively influence policy outcomes and regulatory frameworks affecting corporations and investment companies’ corporate governance, disclosure, and regulatory workflows.
• Provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding policy developments, risks, and opportunities

Government & Regulatory Engagement

• Establish and maintain productive relationships with government agencies, policymakers, regulatory bodies, lobbyist advisors, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent DFIN in discussions with legislators, regulators, and government officials.
• Coordinate company participation in consultations, comment letters, hearings, working groups, and industry forums.
• Serve as a leading voice for DFIN on issues impacting the capital markets and investment company ecosystem.

Additional Responsibilities

Industry Leadership & Coalition Building

• Support engagement with relevant trade associations, advocacy organizations, and industry coalitions.
• Build and enhance strategic partnerships that strengthen DFIN's market position and influence key policy issues.
• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to advance positions aligned with DFIN's business objectives and customer needs.
• Identify opportunities for thought leadership and engagement.

Enterprise Partnership & Functional Leadership

• Establish and lead cross-functional regulatory committee to inform and discuss the regulatory environment across DFIN constituents.
• Direct and manage a small team of subject-matter experts to translate regulatory developments into actionable business insights and strategic recommendations.
• Partner closely with Product, Sales, Services and Marketing leaders to support a model where enablement, which turns policy into repeatable execution, is the responsibility of Sales, Product, Services and Marketing.
• Support product strategy and development in identifying and reacting to regulatory trends that may create new market opportunities or customer demand.
• Promote alignment between public policy positions, marketing, corporate communications, and business priorities.
• Assist with drafting corporate messaging and disclosure regarding regulatory developments and forecasted impact on the business.

Additional Responsibilities

Executive Leadership Support

• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, and updates for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Conduct research on the regulatory dynamics of new markets identified as potential avenues for growth.
• Provide strategic counsel to the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer and Executive Leadership Team on government affairs priorities.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Juris Doctor (JD), Masters in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, legal, legislative affairs, or related disciplines.
• Experience working within a regulatory agency, government office, industry association, or consulting/lobbying organization.
• Demonstrated experience influencing policy outcomes and managing complex stakeholder relationships focused at the Federal level.
• Strong understanding of the SEC, financial services, capital markets, disclosure, governance, regulatory technology, or related industries preferred.

Critical Competencies

Strategic Leadership

• Anticipates future regulatory trends and implications.
• Connects regulatory developments to business strategy and growth opportunities.
• Operates proactively in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments.

Business Acumen

• Understands DFIN's business model, customers, products, and industry dynamics.
• Balances risk management with commercial objectives.

Influence & Relationship Building

• Builds credibility with regulators, policymakers, executives, and industry leaders.
• Demonstrates strong executive presence and communication skills.

Effective Management & Enterprise Thinking

• Manages team of subject-matter experts for productive impact.
• Operates effectively across functions and organizational boundaries.
• Leads cross-functional teams and drives alignment among diverse stakeholders.

Communication

• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills including from an advocacy and persuasive messaging perspective.
• Ability to simplify complex regulatory matters for a variety of audiences.

It is the policy of Donnelley Financial Solutions to select, place, and manage all its employees without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, actual or perceived disability, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected status. 

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