Director, Public Policy in St Leonards, Australia

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director, Public Policy

Are you ready to lead public policy initiatives for one of the world’s most respected brands?

• Do you have a proven track record of crafting strategic public policy positions and implementing effective advocacy plans?

• Are you a trusted advisor, skilled writer, and collaborative team player?

If so, we’d like to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Director, Public Policy reports to the Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations, Australasia, and plays a pivotal role in developing Mastercard’s policy positions and advocacy strategies across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

Key objectives:

• Protect and advance Mastercard’s reputational and regulatory interests.

• Build goodwill with merchants, consumers, governments, and regulators through direct engagement and public-private partnerships.

• Develop policies that drive Mastercard’s growth by supporting its strategic objectives and ensuring sensible, fair regulatory outcomes.

As part of a high-performing global team, you will help shape Mastercard’s advocacy efforts, engage with key stakeholders, and craft responses to legislative and regulatory challenges to influence outcomes positively.

Key Responsibilities

• Public Policy Strategy: Shape and execute Mastercard’s public policy program for Australia and New Zealand to address regulatory and legislative challenges and opportunities.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish Mastercard as a recognized thought leader in the payments industry by engaging with policymakers, regulators, and industry influencers.

• Advocacy: Prepare well-researched submissions to influence policy outcomes, collaborating with industry groups and decision-makers.

• Internal Collaboration: Brief senior executives, provide strategic counsel to business portfolio colleagues, and recommend responses to policy developments.

• Agency Management: Oversee external agencies advocating on behalf of Mastercard, ensuring alignment with the company’s interests.

• Policy Documentation: Develop briefing materials, strategies, and advocacy plans to advance Mastercard’s public policy objectives.

About You

The ideal candidate is a high-performing public policy executive with:

• Experience: Extensive experience in public policy roles within multinational businesses, government agencies, or industry associations, with a proven ability to influence government policy and build strong relationships.

• Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of legislative and political processes in Australia and New Zealand, with the ability to analyze legislation and develop strategies to advance corporate interests.

• Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex challenges creatively.

• Attributes: High energy, self-motivation, and a results-driven mindset, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in dynamic, high-pressure environments.

• Education: A degree-level qualification in a relevant field.

• Industry Knowledge: While financial services or payments industry experience is advantageous, experience in other highly regulated sectors or the technology sector is also valued.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel domestically, regionally, and to Mastercard’s global headquarters in Purchase, New York.

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please apply via the links provided.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.