Director, Government Relations

About Us

How This Role Impacts Live Oak and Its People

Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be Americas small business bank serving entrepreneurs nationwide through a digitally focused branchless model that prioritizes innovation efficiency and service. As one of the top SBA 7(a) lenders Live Oak plays a critical national role in fueling small business growth.

The Director Government Relations ensures Live Oaks voice is heard by shaping policies that directly impact small business lending digital banking financial technology and government guaranteed loan programs. This role will report to and work with the Senior Managing Director Government Relations to protect and advance Live Oaks interests strengthen our influence in federal policy and support our ability to serve small business owners across all 50 states

By representing Live Oak with members of the U.S. Senate House of Representatives federal agencies and industry associations this key contributor ensures regulatory and legislative environments remain conducive to innovation responsible growth and Live Oaks People First culture.

What Youll Do at Live Oak

• Represent Live Oak Bank with Congressional offices committees federal regulatory agencies (e.g. SBA USDA FDIC) and key policy stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with lawmakers staffers regulators industry groups and trade associations.
• Advocate for policies that support small business lending government guaranteed programs digital banking advancement fintech innovation and fair modern regulatory frameworks.
• Lead Live Oaks engagement strategy on high priority federal policy issues and ensure alignment with enterprise strategy.

• Research analyze and monitor legislation and regulatory developments affecting Live Oak and its customers including SBA/USDA programs capital requirements compliance rules and emerging technology regulations.
• Draft policy positions issue briefs comment letters testimony and executive summaries for internal and external audiences.
• Track forecast and communicate policy changes with clarity and strategic insight.

• Partner with leaders across Credit Lending Legal Compliance Technology Product and Risk to anticipate regulatory impacts and shape policy responses.
• Translate federal policy developments into implications for Live Oaks products lending strategies and risk posture.
• Support executive leadership in federal engagement including meeting prep talking points and strategic positioning.

• Represent Live Oak at federal hearings industry conferences roundtables and advocacy coalitions.
• Build collaborative relationships with peer institutions trade associations and advocacy organizations to advance shared priorities.
• Support Corporate Communications in public policy messaging and Live Oaks national advocacy profile.

Required Experience

• 5 years of experience in federal government relations advocacy Capitol Hill work or regulatory affairs. Strong working knowledge of the federal legislative process and regulatory rulemaking.
• Demonstrated success influencing federal policy outcomes directly or as a registered lobbyist.
• Established network within Congress federal agencies or national policy organizations.
• Outstanding communication relationship-building and presentation skills.
• Bachelors degree in political science public policy law business or related field.

Preferred Experience

• Background in banking financial services fintech small business lending or appropriations.
• Experience with SBA or USDA lending policy digital banking regulations appropriations or government guaranteed loan programs.
• Experience collaborating with or working within agencies such as SBA USDA FDIC Treasury or OCC.
• Advanced degree in public policy law or related discipline.

Skills

• Government Relations
• Federal Legislative Process
• Regulatory Analysis
• Advocacy Strategy
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Relationship Management (Government)
• Public Policy Development
• Executive Communication
• Strategic Thinking
• Policy Writing

Our Values

• Dedication:Possess a deep commitment to Live Oak Banks mission and core values exemplified through a strong work ethic adaptability and pride in your work.

• Ownership:Take initiative to deliver positive results by proactively and creatively solving problems while maintaining a high degree of quality.

• Respect:Treat everyone with courtesy politeness and kindness.

• Innovation:Embrace fresh ideas and fearlessly contribute new solutions to emerging or existing problems.

• Teamwork: Foster collaboration accountability and trust with others and understand that together we do more

For a detailed overview of our employee benefits please visit: Oak Bank is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled. We consider applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age genetic information veteran status or disability. Equal access to programs service and employment is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify human resources at.

EEO is the Law

Please note that we provide at least the minimum requirement of paid sick leave to our employees who reside in states that require employer-paid sick leave including but not limited to Arizona California Colorado District of Columbia Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont and Washington.