Senior Lead, Federal Government Affairs

Shopify's U.S. Government Affairs team is hiring a strategist to own and drive a core set of priorities within Shopify's federal portfolio. Shopify powers millions of merchants, mostly small businesses, and our work in Washington exists to make sure their interests show up in federal policy. You will manage relationships across Congress, the Administration, and federal regulators, and set priorities on the issues that shape whether entrepreneurs can start, run, and grow a business. Bringing deep knowledge of Shopify's products, our merchants, and the realities of running a small business in 2026 and translate that into clear policy positions, and ensure the merchant voice, not just Shopify's corporate voice, lands where federal decisions get made. The mission of the Government Affairs team is to: 1) develop and broadcast Shopify's positioning on a wide variety of policy issues, 2) prevent, manage, and mitigate political, legislative, and regulatory threats to Shopify, and 3) promote a political, legislative, and regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation for entrepreneurs and small businesses. This role isn't about working the federal landscape on autopilot, it's about pioneering how a digital-first, merchant-focused company shows up in Washington. We're looking for a seasoned strategist with a proven track record on the Hill, in the executive branch, or both, who can walk into any meeting and speak credibly for the entrepreneurs whose livelihoods turn on federal decisions in technology, financial services, and commerce. You'll lead distinct priority areas end-to-end, partnering closely with fellow leadership to advance Shopify's full federal agenda across an ever-evolving political landscape. Responsibilities: Build and maintain a robust, bipartisan network of relationships with key decision-makers across Congress, the Administration, and federal regulatory agencies, leveraging those connections to advance Shopify's policy priorities. Develop and execute strategies that align Shopify's business objectives with legislative and regulatory initiatives, ensuring our voice is at the forefront of critical federal debates. Serve as a primary spokesperson for Shopify in high-stakes conversations with members of Congress, senior congressional staff, agency leadership, and the Administration, advocating strongly for a regulatory environment that lets entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive. Facilitate impactful connections between policymakers and Shopify merchants, drawing on the company's unique dataset and view into the ever-changing commercial ecosystem, so that merchant voices are woven into federal policy conversations. Manage relationships with trade associations, coalitions, and the external consultants engaged on Shopify's behalf in Washington, ensuring cohesive advocacy efforts and alignment on priorities. Coordinate closely with Shopify's State & Local, EU, and international Government Affairs leads, so that federal strategy reinforces, and is reinforced by, activity in other jurisdictions. Anticipate political transitions and policy shifts and position Shopify to navigate both with credibility intact across administrations and congressional majorities. You'll excel if you can: Advocate compellingly and empathetically for small businesses while embodying Shopify's values of inclusivity and innovation. Make quick, confident decisions while ruthlessly prioritizing high-impact initiatives aligned with our strategic objectives. Communicate clearly and authentically across the political spectrum, ensuring our message resonates with members and staff on both sides of the aisle. Think across federal, state, and international policy trends, understanding how they reinforce one another and how a position taken in Washington reverberates in state capitals and abroad. Bring a builder's mindset to government affairs, helping establish the systems, narratives, and coalitions that let a high-output federal team scale. Coach more junior teammates and external partners on effective government engagement. Requirements: Extensive experience in federal government affairs at a senior level, with a proven track record of influencing legislation, regulation, or executive branch policy. A deep, established network across Capitol Hill, with credibility and working relationships on both sides of the aisle, including proven access to members and senior staff on the committees of jurisdiction for Shopify's priorities, with particular emphasis on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Senate Commerce Committee, House and Senate Judiciary Committees, the House Financial Services Committee, and the Senate Banking Committee. Strong relationships with leadership offices in both chambers are a plus. Working relationships across the executive branch, with experience engaging the agencies and offices that regulate technology, commerce, payments, and financial services (including, where relevant, the FTC, CFPB, Commerce, and the White House). Expertise in critical policy areas relevant to Shopify, including technology, digital commerce, payments and financial services, and small business policy. Demonstrated ability navigating complex, multi-stakeholder policy environments with shifting political dynamics, including across administrations and congressional majorities. Proven track record of translating policy insights into actionable recommendations for product development, legal strategy, or business strategy. Demonstrated, fluent use of AI tools as a core part of how you work. You reach for them reflexively to research, draft, analyze, and move faster, and you have a point of view on how AI sharpens the output of a lean, high-leverage team. A willingness to travel, as needed, when in-person meetings with policymakers and other key stakeholders are required. Based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. About Shopify Opportunity is not evenly distributed. Shopify puts independence within reach for anyone with a dream to start a business. We propel entrepreneurs and enterprises to scale the heights of their potential. Since 2006, we’ve grown to over 8,300 employees and generated over $1 trillion in sales for millions of merchants in 175 countries. This is life-defining work that directly impacts people’s lives as much as it transforms your own. This is putting the power of the few in the hands of the many, is a future with more voices rather than fewer, and is creating more choices instead of an elite option. About you Moving at our pace brings a lot of change, complexity, and ambiguity—and a little bit of chaos. Shopifolk thrive on that and are comfortable being uncomfortable. That means Shopify is not the right place for everyone. Before you apply, consider if you can:Care deeply about what you do and about making commerce better for everyone Excel by seeking professional and personal hypergrowth Keep up with an unrelenting pace (the week, not the quarter) Be resilient and resourceful in face of ambiguity and thrive on (rather than endure) change Bring critical thought and opinion Put AI agents and tools to work on the tasks they're built for, and focus on the work only humans can do Embrace differences and disagreement to get shit done and move forward Work digital-first for your daily work We may use AI-enabled tools to screen, select, and assess applications. All AI outputs are reviewed and validated by our recruitment team. Shopifyhttps://www.shopify.com We hire people, not resumes. If you think you’re right for the role, apply now. Apply Now