Country Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with government officials, policymakers, regulatory bodies, and key industry leaders in Panama.
• Oversee platform licensing at the state level, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements across Ride-hailing, Couriers, Intercity, Cargo, and other business verticals operated by inDrive. Manage the full licensing process, from identification to execution.
• Develop and implement a national government relations (GR) strategy, including setting objectives, key results (OKRs), and detailed roadmaps and action plans.
• Foster partnerships with key policy stakeholders, including businesses, trade associations, and civil society organizations.
• Lead inDrive’s involvement with NGOs, industry unions, and associations.
• Identify and assess regulatory risks and opportunities, and develop strategies to address them effectively.
• Manage regulatory and political crises, formulating and executing action plans to mitigate impact.
• Strengthen inDrive’s brand and visibility among policymakers, governments, third parties, thought leaders, and academic institutions.
• Advocate for a regulatory environment in each market that supports and enables the growth of technology platforms like inDrive.
• Formulate and manage the country-level GR budget.
• Provide strategic guidance to internal stakeholders on policy, legislative, or reputational matters that may influence business performance and corporate reputation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Growth, Legal, Communications, Finance, and Product) to ensure regulatory compliance and proactively address potential regulatory challenges.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in government relations, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in a tier-one multinational organization, either in-house or as a consultant, is highly desirable.
• A degree in Law, Economics, Political Science, International Affairs, or a related field.
• Proven track record in designing and executing public policy strategies and managing complex advocacy initiatives at both national and regional levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English, with a demonstrated ability to engage with diverse partners on policy issues. Comfort in participating in challenging or controversial debates is essential.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong relationships, with a leadership role in policy implementation and public affairs.
• Deep understanding of legislative, regulatory, and political processes, particularly in highly regulated industries.
• Experience in shaping regulatory frameworks and addressing complex legal and political issues is essential.
• Prior experience in the ride-hailing or technology sectors is a plus.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex policy and regulatory issues and communicate them clearly.
• Exceptional ability to translate intricate regulatory matters into accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Proven skills in strategic alignment, with the ability to connect company strengths to government opportunities and challenges.
• Strong ownership and accountability for the areas of expertise under your responsibility.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions at all levels within inDrive.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and calm under pressure.
• Strong action-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering results.
• A collaborative team player, comfortable navigating the ambiguity of cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, with an ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.