US ED, Head of Government Relations & Public Policy

US ED, Head of Government Relations & Public Policy

Country: United States of America

It Starts With You:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.  This is more than a strategic shift.  It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

If you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You!

The Difference You Make:

The Executive Director, Head of Government Relations & Public Policy leads Santander’s engagement on public policy matters at the federal, state, and local levels in support of the company’s business objectives, growth priorities, and long-term interests. The role coordinates closely with Santander Group’s Global Public Policy team.

The Executive Director develops and leads a proactive government relations and public policy function, identifying and assessing legislative, regulatory, political, and public policy developments affecting Santander and the financial services industry; advising senior leadership on their potential business implications; and developing and executing advocacy strategies to advance the company’s priorities.

The role serves as a senior advisor to the U.S. management team, business leaders, and other senior stakeholders on the external policy environment. The Executive Director represents Santander with policymakers, government officials, regulatory agencies, trade associations, industry coalitions, and other key external stakeholders while building relationships that strengthen Santander’s outreach in the U.S. market.

The Executive Director must demonstrate exceptional political and policy judgment, established relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders, and the ability to connect complex legislative and regulatory developments to Santander’s strategy and commercial priorities. The individual must be equally effective as a senior external representative, trusted internal advisor, team leader, and hands-on executive capable of translating strategy into disciplined execution.

The role reports to the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and works closely with the U.S. CEO, U.S. Executive Committee, business heads, and senior corporate function leaders. The Executive Director also serves as the principal U.S. point of contact for Santander Group’s Global Public Policy team in Madrid, ensuring strong bilateral coordination on policy priorities and issues of global significance.
across lines of business.

The position is based in Washington, D.C.

- Lead Santander’s U.S. Government Relations & Public Policy function and develop and execute a comprehensive U.S. strategy aligned with the company’s business objectives, growth priorities, and broader corporate strategy.
- Serve as a senior advisor to the U.S. CEO, Executive Committee, business leaders, and other senior stakeholders on political, legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments and their implications for Santander.
- Lead, develop, and manage the established U.S. Government Relations & Public Policy team.
- Develop and maintain trusted senior-level relationships with policymakers, government officials, relevant regulatory agencies, and other influential stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Identify emerging legislative, regulatory, political, and public policy issues that could create opportunities or risks for Santander and ensure that senior leadership has timely insight into their potential strategic and business implications.
- Partner with business heads and corporate function leaders to establish Santander’s priorities and positions on significant public policy matters and develop effective advocacy strategies to advance those positions.
- Represent Santander before policymakers and government officials and in relevant industry forums, coalitions, trade associations, and other external organizations.
- Lead Santander’s strategy for engagement with Congress, the Administration, relevant federal agencies, and state and local policymakers on issues material to the company.
- Lead Santander’s relationships with key financial services trade associations and industry organizations, ensuring that participation and resource allocation are aligned with the company’s strategic priorities and that Santander has an effective voice on issues material to its businesses.
- Coordinate closely with Santander Group’s Global Public Policy team, ensuring alignment on issues of shared importance and effective two-way communication regarding U.S. and global policy developments.
- Serve as a senior point of coordination for U.S. government official engagement across Santander, helping ensure that interactions are strategic, consistent, well prepared, appropriately documented, and aligned with the company’s priorities.
- Translate complex legislative, regulatory, political, and public policy developments into clear, timely, business-focused advice and recommendations for senior leadership, boards, relevant committees, and business partners.
- Ensure senior leaders are appropriately prepared for significant government, policymaker, and industry engagements, including development of strategic objectives, key messages, briefing materials, and follow-up actions.
- Oversee Santander’s U.S. political engagement strategy, including directing the company’s Political Action Committee (PAC), in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and governance requirements.
- Manage external government affairs consultants and advisors, as appropriate, ensuring that external support is focused on Santander’s highest-priority objectives and delivers measurable value.
- Ensure that senior leadership and relevant lines of business remain informed of significant public policy developments and coordinate appropriate internal and external responses.

What You Bring:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

- Bachelor’s Degree: in related field or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education - Required
- Law degree, public policy degree, or other relevant advanced degree. - Preferred

Qualifications:

- 15+ years of progressively senior experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, regulatory policy, or a related field, including significant experience engaging senior government officials and policymakers. - Required
- Significant knowledge of the U.S. federal legislative and regulatory environment and demonstrated understanding of how public policy developments affect the strategy and operations of large, complex organizations.
- Established credibility and relationships within the U.S. public policy community, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior policymakers, government officials, industry leaders, and trade associations.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute sophisticated, results-oriented advocacy strategies and build coalitions around complex policy issues.
- Strong business acumen and the ability to connect political, legislative, and regulatory developments to business strategy, commercial priorities, and enterprise risk.
- Exceptional judgment, discretion, and political acumen, including the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to CEOs, senior executives, boards, and other senior decision-makers and to provide clear, practical recommendations on complex or rapidly evolving issues.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to distill complex issues into concise, compelling executive briefings, advocacy positions, talking points, and recommendations.
- Strong leadership and people-management capabilities, with demonstrated success building, developing, and leading high-performing teams.
- Ability to build alignment across businesses and corporate functions in a complex, matrixed global organization.
- A proactive, hands-on leadership style, with the ability to set strategic direction while maintaining disciplined execution, accountability, and follow-through.
- Ability to operate effectively under pressure, exercise sound judgment in rapidly changing circumstances, and manage multiple high-priority issues simultaneously.
- Willingness and ability to travel as required.

Certifications:

- No certifications are required for this position.

It Would Be Nice For You To Have:

- Experience in financial services or another highly regulated industry.
- Demonstrated understanding of how public policy developments affect the strategy and operations of large, complex financial institutions.
- Experience working in a global organization and coordinating with international public policy stakeholders.
- Experience overseeing a corporate Political Action Committee (PAC) and relationships with trade associations, industry coalitions, consultants, and external advisors.

What Else You Need To Know:

The base pay range for this position is posted below and represents the annualized salary range. For hourly positions (non-exempt), the annual range is based on a 40-hour work week. The exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications and location.

Base Pay Range:

Minimum:
$240,000.00 USD
Maximum:
$400,000.00 USD

We Value Your Impact:

Your contribution matters and it’s recognized.  You can expect a fair and competitive rewards package that reflects the impact you create and the value you deliver. We know rewards go beyond numbers.  Offering more than just a paycheck our benefits are designed to support you, your family and your well-being, now and into the future. Santander Benefits - 2026 Santander OnGoing/NH eGuide (foleon.com)

Risk Culture:

We embrace a strong risk culture and all of our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

EEO Statement:

At Santander, we value and respect differences in our workforce. We actively encourage everyone to apply. Santander is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working Conditions:

Frequent minimal physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking is required for this role. Depending on location, occasional moving and lifting light equipment and/or furniture may be required.

Employer Rights:

This job description does not list all of the job duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You may be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either you or the employer may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.

What To Do Next :

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates. If you require any assistance or accommodation due to a disability or any other reason, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your needs.