VP & Head of EMEAA Government Affairs

Paysafe is a leading payments platform with an extensive track record of serving merchants and consumers in the global entertainment sectors. Its core purpose is to enable businesses and consumers to connect and transact seamlessly through industry‑leading capabilities in payment processing, digital wallet, and online cash solutions. With over 20 years of online payment experience, an annualized transactional volume of over $130 billion in 2022, and approximately 3,300 employees located in 12+ countries, Paysafe connects businesses and consumers across 100 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world. Delivered through an integrated platform, Paysafe solutions are geared toward mobile‑initiated transactions, real‑time analytics and the convergence between brick‑and‑mortar and online payments.

Position Overview

Paysafe is seeking a highly strategic VP & Head of Government Affairs for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA) to lead the company’s public policy, governmental engagement, and advocacy agenda in these regions. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping Paysafe’s external policy environment, influencing regulatory outcomes, strengthening relationships with policymakers, and supporting business expansion by anticipating and responding to regulatory and political developments across highly diverse jurisdictions. Reporting to the Global Head of Compliance, this role requires an experienced public policy leader who understands the evolving regulatory landscapes across financial services, payments, digital assets, consumer protection, and emerging technology markets within EMEAA.

Key Responsibilities

• Government Affairs & Public Policy Leadership: Develop and execute Paysafe’s government affairs strategy across EMEAA, aligning with business priorities, regulatory requirements, and long‑term market‑access objectives. Shape Paysafe’s external positioning on critical policy themes, including payments regulation (PSD2/PSD3, local payments laws), AML/CTF frameworks, digital assets and stablecoins (MiCA and global equivalents), consumer protection, e‑money, open banking/open finance, and technology regulation. Serve as Paysafe’s senior representative to policymakers, regulators, central banks, trade bodies, and ministries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
• Regulatory Engagement & Advocacy: Build and maintain trusted, influential relationships with EEA institutions, national regulators, central banks, ministries of finance/commerce, international standard‑setting bodies, and relevant authorities across EMEAA. Advocate for policy outcomes that promote innovation, competition, consumer trust, and sustainable growth in digital payments and financial services. Represent Paysafe in industry associations, coalitions, and regional policy working groups, ensuring Paysafe’s strategic priorities are reflected in policy discussions.
• Horizon Scanning & Strategic Advisory: Partner with Paysafe’s Horizon Scanning team to monitor emerging regulatory and political developments across EMEAA, ensuring visibility of upcoming proposals before they are finalized or implemented. Assess the strategic, commercial, operational, and compliance implications of emerging regulations by working with Compliance, Legal, Product, and business leaders. Translate early regulatory intelligence into clear advocacy priorities and policy positions, ensuring Paysafe engages proactively with policymakers. Lead the development of Paysafe’s responses to public consultations, regulatory reviews, and legislative processes informed by horizon‑scanning insights.
• Market Expansion & Licensing Support: Provide strategic policy and regulatory insights to support market entry, licensing efforts, and expansion across EMEAA. Engage with policymakers and regulators to facilitate constructive dialogue when entering new markets or launching new products.
• Stakeholder Management & External Reputation: Enhance Paysafe’s profile and credibility by participating in external forums, industry conferences, regulatory roundtables, and thought‑leadership initiatives. Ensure cohesive and consistent messaging across all government, regulatory, and association engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory strategy, or political advocacy, ideally covering Europe and at least one additional region within Middle East, Africa, or Asia.
• Strong understanding of EEA policymaking and national regulatory frameworks across EMEAA, including payments, e‑money, digital assets, AML/CTF, and fintech regulation.
• Demonstrated success influencing legislative or regulatory outcomes in financial services or technology sectors.
• Established network across EEA institutions and relevant authorities in one or more EMEAA regions; ability to build new relationships rapidly.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills, with experience interacting at senior government and executive levels.
• Proven ability to translate complex regulatory developments into clear business and strategic implications.
• Experience working with external advisors, public affairs firms, and trade associations.

Paysafe is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to providing a work environment of mutual respect to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.