Policy, Regulatory & Strategic Initiatives, Lead

Who We Are:

Every transaction matters. Every Canadian matters. At Interac, we protect both — driving trust, security, and inclusion, so our digital economy thrives.
 
Founded in 1984, Interac connects Canadians through secure digital payments, advanced identity verification and industry-leading fraud protection. Connecting banks, businesses, and individuals, Interac enables millions to send, receive, and manage money safely and effortlessly every day — across both digital and physical environments.

As the backbone of Canada’s financial ecosystem, Interac facilitates over 20 million transactions daily, supported by trusted partnerships with government and financial institutions. Consistently ranked as Canada’s most reputable financial technology brand, Interac is deeply embedded in the daily lives of Canadians.

Who You Will Work With:

Reporting to the Head of Government Relations & External Affairs, the Lead is the senior policy and regulatory role within Interac's Government Relations & External Affairs function, working on the issues shaping Canada's payments and digital economy. This is a newly created position, reflecting the growing strategic importance of policy and regulatory issues to Interac. The role works cross-functionally with teams across the enterprise, serving as an internal subject-matter expert on government and political dynamics, policy context and public sector strategy, and provides strategic counsel and leads execution to align government relations activities with enterprise priorities — including, where relevant, revenue and commercial objectives. 

What You Will Do:  

Policy, Regulatory & Advocacy Leadership 

• Lead major policy and regulatory files from strategy through drafting, internal alignment, review and submission, including priority regulatory consultations and flagship policy publications affecting payments, financial services and the digital economy. 

• Monitor, analyze and interpret policy, legislative and regulatory developments; produce briefings that translate developments into business implications and recommended responses for senior leadership. 

• Lead proactive and reactive advocacy planning ahead of major legislative, regulatory and budget milestones with material implications for Interac's mandate, products and market position. 

• Develop senior-level materials, including briefing notes, consultation submissions, policy papers, decision memos and external-facing thought leadership. 

External Representation & Engagement 

• Represent Interac on industry and standards committees and in standing engagements with associations and ecosystem counterparts. 

• Engage with government officials and public-sector stakeholders on priority files and maintain broader relationships with industry counterparts and external advisors. 

• Shape government and stakeholder understanding of Interac's role, capabilities and policy positions on priority issues. 

• Surface emerging stakeholder, policy and reputational risks and recommend response strategies. 

Enterprise Strategic Execution 

• Lead integrated, cross-functional projects with clear accountabilities, senior leadership alignment, issue escalation and high-quality delivery. 

• Direct external advisory support on priority files, including scope, deliverables and budget oversight. 

• Support public-sector applications of Interac products and services where they intersect with government priorities. 

• Provide strategic advice and decision support to senior leaders on politically sensitive, reputationally significant, or time-critical issues. 

Governance & Operating Discipline 

• Support advocacy governance and lobbying compliance across applicable jurisdictions, in coordination with legal and compliance partners. 

• Contribute to annual and quarterly team planning, file prioritization and the function's operating discipline, including knowledge management and issue tracking.

Mentorship & Coaching 

• Provide guidance to team members on policy analysis, advocacy practice and file execution. 

• Review work products and provide feedback to ensure quality and alignment with objectives.

What You Bring:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, law, or a related field. Graduate education is an asset. 

• Experience: 10+ years in government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, government or related sectors, including experience advising senior decision-makers or leading complex files. 

• Technical knowledge: Working knowledge of Canadian government operations, including legislative processes and regulatory frameworks. Experience working on policy or government affairs issues at the intersection of financial services, payments and technology is an asset. 

• Core skills: Policy and regulatory analysis, including translating developments into business-relevant implications. Writing for political and government audiences, including briefing notes, submissions, and public affairs strategy. Stakeholder relationship management, including political and senior public service contacts. Issues management and reputational risk assessment in a public sector context. Experience managing external advisors, consultants and vendors, and bilingualism in French and English, are assets. 

• Interpersonal and judgment requirements: Sound discretion when handling politically sensitive or confidential matters. Ability to influence and align without direct authority in a matrixed organization. Capacity to manage multiple files simultaneously under externally driven timelines. Composure in high-stakes interactions with senior officials and executives. 

What We’re Offering: 

The hiring range for this position is $160,000 – $190,000, and you will also be eligible for our short-term incentive plan. The exact amount will depend on factors such as skills, experience, and job-related knowledge, but Interac’s commitment goes beyond compensation. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support your well-being and future, and includes: 

• Generous vacation and wellness days to help you recharge 

• Comprehensive employer-paid benefits coverage for peace of mind 

• Market-leading employer-funded RRSP program to invest in your future 

• Flexible hybrid work model for better work-life balance 

• Access to a free and confidential 24/7 employee & family assistance program to offer support for you and your immediate family 

• Pregnancy and parental leave top-up to support growing families 

• Charitable donation matching with United Way to amplify your impact

Why Join Us?

At Interac, the impact we make, and the people who drive it, is profound. When you become part of our team, you’re joining a purpose-driven organization that’s shaping the future of digital finance in Canada. Here’s what you can expect:

• Investing in the Future – Help us unlock digital prosperity for all Canadians.

• Innovative Thinking – Collaborate on products, practices, and platforms that redefine what’s possible.

• Inclusive Culture – Be empowered to bring your whole self to work and realize your full potential.

• Inspiring Community – Work in an ecosystem where we lift each other up and rise together.

• Intentional Support – Enjoy flexible, supportive offerings that prioritize your total wellness.

Additional Pre-Employment Requirements:

To ensure the integrity of our organization, successful candidates will be required to complete background checks, which may include, Canadian Criminal Credit Check, Canadian ID Cross-Check, Public Safety Verification, 5-year Employment Verification, Education Verification, Credit Check, and Social Media Check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Interac is also an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that innovation thrives when people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together. That’s why we are committed to providing fair and equitable employment opportunities for all individuals, without discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, ethnic origin, place of origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital or family status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the application or recruitment process, please contact us at humanresources@interac.ca. We will work with you to meet your needs.

Please be aware that certain individuals are misusing Interac Corp.’s name and logo to promote fictitious employment opportunities. Interac Corp. never requests, solicits, or accepts any form of payment in exchange for employment. Any such offers are fraudulent and should be disregarded. Interac Corp. assumes no liability for any claims, losses, damages, expenses, or inconveniences arising from or related to these fraudulent activities. Such communications do not constitute an offer or representation by Interac Corp. or its subsidiaries and affiliates.