Senior Manager, Government Relations

Interested in working on cutting-edge blockchain technology and creating equitable access to the global financial system? Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform that operates at high-scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar ecosystem.

Since 2014, the mission-driven team at the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has helped fuel the tremendous growth of the Stellar blockchain network—an open-source platform that operates at high scale today. Developers and companies around the world build on it, and the SDF team is expanding to support the rapidly growing and changing Stellar ecosystem.

We’re seeking an energetic and strategic Government Relations Senior Manager to join our Policy and Government Relations team in Washington, D.C. In this role, you’ll represent SDF in key industry and policy initiatives, build strong relationships with policymakers, trade associations and industry partners, and advocate for responsible blockchain innovation that supports equitable access to financial services.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the policy environment for blockchain in finance while working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and public good.

In this role, you will:

• Identify and prioritize engagement opportunities

• Represent SDF among key external partners, including trade associations, industry groups, and coalitions with government stakeholders (primarily federal, potentially some state level engagement)

• Educate Congressional staff, regulators, and policy stakeholders on blockchain and related emerging issues in finance, payments, and SDF’s mission

• Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, industry allies and peers to advance policy priorities that support open, permissionless systems and financial access

• Support SDF senior leadership during visits to D.C., including preparing policy briefings and creating engagement opportunities with key stakeholder

• Collaborate with internal teams—including Business Development, Growth, Communications, and Legal—to ensure policy alignment with organizational goals

• Track and analyze policy developments, providing timely updates and recommendations to the Policy and Government Relations team and SDF leadership

You have:

• 5–7 years of experience in government relations, public policy, or advocacy, ideally in financial services, technology, or the blockchain sector.

• Existing relationships within Washington D.C. policy circles, particularly with financial or technology-focused committees, agencies, or trade associations is a must.

• Strong understanding of financial markets, technology policy, and/or blockchain and digital assets

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; confident representing SDF in public forums and private meetings

• Collaborative team player with a proactive, self-starting attitude and strong organizational skills

• Passion for blockchain’s potential to expand financial access and support open, permissionless systems

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, public policy, law, or a related field.

Bonus Points if:

• You have experience working in or with trade associations, congressional offices, or regulatory agencies.

• You have worked in finance, financial technology (fintech), payments, or digital assets policy either in a private company or a branch of government.

• You have familiarity with blockchain technology and have explored the technology.

• You have experience developing policy materials or briefings for executives or public officials.

We offer competitive pay with a base salary range for this position of $115,000 - $155,000, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, we offer lumen-denominated grants along with the following perks and benefits:

USA Benefits/Perks:

• Competitive health, dental & vision coverage with most plans covered at 100% for the employee + any dependents

• Flexible time off + 15 company holidays including a company-wide holiday break

• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for both non-birthing and birthing parents, as well as up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for birthing parents

• Gym reimbursement ($80 per month)

• Life & ADD (up to $50K)

• Short & Long term disability

• 401K with 4% match

• Health & Dependent Care FSA Accounts

• Commuter benefits with $250/month employer contribution

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contribution

• Family building benefits through Kindbody

• Wellbeing benefits (One Medical, Rightway, Headspace)

• L&D budget of $1,500/year

• Daily lunch and snacks in office

• Company retreats

About Stellar

Stellar is more than a blockchain. Powered by a decentralized, fast, scalable, and uniquely sustainable network made for financial products and services and a thriving and passionate ecosystem that includes a non-profit organization driven by a mission, Stellar is paving the path to unlock the world’s economic potential through blockchain technology. Built with speed and low costs in mind, the Stellar network provides builders and financial institutions worldwide a platform to issue assets, and to send and convert currencies in real time creating real world utility. Founded in 2014, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) supports the continued development and growth of the Stellar network and also serves the ecosystem of NGOs, corporations, universities, small businesses, governments, and solo entrepreneurs building on the Stellar network through tooling, funding and strategic collaborations. Together, Stellar is where blockchain meets the real world.

About the Stellar Development Foundation

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization focused on working with and supporting change-makers to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. SDF provides grants, investments, funding, and other awards to builders and organizations. SDF also develops resources and tooling on the Stellar network to help unlock real world utility. As a nonprofit foundation, SDF puts the health of the Stellar network and the Stellar ecosystem and its mission above all else.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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SDF is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SDF does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law.