Director, Government Relations

Director, Government Relations

Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's 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 Oak's 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 Oak's 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 Oak's People First culture.

What You'll 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 Oak's 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 Oak's 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 Oak's 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.
• Bachelor's 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 Bank's 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

The base pay range for this position is $190,180.00 - $262,140.00 per year. Compensation may also include annual bonuses and long-term incentives, subject to various metrics and company policy. A candidate's salary is determined by several factors including travel, relevant work experience or skills and expertise.

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.