Director, Government Affairs

Forward Financing is a Boston-based financial technology company with an operational hub in the Dominican Republic, providing fast, flexible working capital to US small businesses that have been underserved by traditional financing options. It is our mission to build a world-class fintech company so our customers and our people can reach their full potential. Forward has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Built In Boston and is certified as a Great Place To Work.® We’re investing in our employees, technology, and customer experience – with long-term success in mind every step of the way.

As the Director of Government Affairs, you will help shape the long-term strategy of Forward Financing, and drive its mission of providing access to capital for under-served small businesses. Directly reporting to our General Counsel, you will play a critical role in formulating our government affairs policies and initiatives, helping to develop our federal and state legislative policy, advocating policy positions on behalf of the Company, and developing and maintaining positive working relationships with relevant government and political leaders.

In this role you will:

• Define and execute on our strategy and vision for government affairs - Work with the Company’s executives, our in-house Legal team, and outside consultants to continually develop and refine our government affairs policies, strategies and vision and execute on each. Keep abreast of national, state and local legislative and regulatory developments that might affect the Company in the near or long term.

• Develop and own government affairs roadmap - Lead internal efforts to map out our government affairs strategies into discrete projects/workstreams, ensuring progress on all fronts and keeping all work organized.

• Execute on multiple projects supporting our mission - Supervise our outside consultants and lobbyists. Develop and adhere to project budgets. Conduct background research and analysis to support our goals; synthesize research findings to identify and recommend company strategy.

• Lead Company advocacy efforts - Advocate Company positions before government officials, policy makers and their staff, both on the federal and state level. Coordinate policy advocacy with other industry participants, trade associations and stakeholders. Advise on the use of publicity to aid in advocacy efforts.

• Build relationships and coalitions - Build trusted relationships with legislators, regulators and other related parties, educating them regarding our product, our industry & our Company. Travel regularly to relevant conferences and meetings throughout the country. Work on building coalitions.

Role Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

• A deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes

• 10+ years of relevant experience with government affairs, public policy, or government relations 

• A comprehensive understanding of the operation of federal and state lawmaking process.

• The ability to help plan and to implement a political advocacy effort 

• The ability to communicate persuasively and advocate for company positions and policies to political leaders and decision makers.

• Demonstrated experience working directly with senior executives and government officials, including advocating and building relationships at national and state government levels.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to solicit, receive, and implement feedback with the goal of relentless improvement

• Strong interpersonal skills 

• Ability to travel frequently within the U.S. and occasionally attend events after hours

Forward Financing Core Values:

• Drive the Mission - We believe in financial opportunity for underserved small businesses. We say “yes” when others say “no.”

• Keep It Real - We value direct communication, candid feedback, and authenticity. We are an open book.

• Act with Kindness - We create an environment where caring is cool and helping is the norm. We do the right thing.

• Shoot for Extraordinary - We are inspired by innovative thinking and continuous improvement. We never settle for yesterday’s best.

About Us:

Forward is a fintech company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with an operational hub in Santiago, Dominican Republic, providing fast, flexible working capital to small businesses across the US. Forward offers revenue-based financing – delivering an upfront sum of working capital in exchange for a set amount of the business’s future revenue. By simplifying the requirements, streamlining the process, and using advanced proprietary technology, Forward is often able to deliver approvals within hours and funds that same day — giving more businesses the financial opportunity they need to thrive. Plus, with dedicated teams and award-winning service, customers get personalized support when they need it most. 

Since 2012, Forward has expanded access to capital by providing over $3.2 billion in funding to more than 67,000 small businesses. The company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, an Excellent / 4.7 stars rating on Trustpilot.com, and has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by Built In Boston and certified as a Great Place To Work®. Forward actively fosters a fair and inclusive culture built on a foundation of high performance and exceptional customer experience. The varied backgrounds of our people fuel innovation and strengthen our team. By embracing what makes each of us unique, we create a supportive environment rooted in respect where people feel valued and empowered to thrive. Our driven group of over 460 people, with about 200 based in the US, and 260 in the DR, are excited about their work, knowing they’re helping thousands of small businesses while advancing their own careers.

Perks & Benefits:

At Forward, our team members are at the heart of our company, and we are committed to taking care of them as people, not just employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, and commuter benefits, a flexible time-off policy, paid parental leave, 401k match for US employees, wellness reimbursement, volunteering days, annual professional development budget, and charitable donation match.

Workplace flexibility is a top priority at Forward too. Our Employee Choice policy means that almost all of our employees get to decide where they work. As a business, we are focused on impact; we are more concerned with your contributions to the success of the company than where you get your work done. If face-to-face time is desired, people managers are empowered to find a cadence that works for their team. 

When we aren’t collaborating to drive business and support our customers, we’re finding virtual and in-person ways to get to know our colleagues, celebrate team wins, and have fun together! 

U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Information

Forward Financing is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive culture built on a foundation of high performance and exceptional customer experience. With a laser focus on employee impact, we’re able to reduce biases and ensure the right people are in the right jobs to contribute to our mission. The varied perspectives of our people fuel innovation and make us a stronger team. By embracing what makes each of us unique, we create a supportive environment where people feel valued, accepted, and empowered to thrive.

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