Interview Experience: Program Coordinator, Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Remitly

If you’re preparing for an interview for the Program Coordinator, Policy & Regulatory Affairs role at Remitly, here’s a detailed breakdown of the interview process, typical questions, and tips based on the experiences of others who have gone through the process. This will give you a solid understanding of what to expect and how to excel.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for this position at Remitly generally involves multiple rounds, each designed to assess different aspects of your fit for the role. Typically, the stages include:

1. Initial Screening (Phone Interview with HR)

This first round is usually a brief conversation with a recruiter. You’ll discuss your resume, work experience, and why you’re interested in the role.

Example Questions:

• “Why do you want to work at Remitly?”
• “Can you walk me through your experience in regulatory affairs or public policy?”
• “How do you prioritize and manage tasks when there are conflicting deadlines?”

The recruiter will also explain the job responsibilities and company culture, and you may have an opportunity to ask any preliminary questions.

2. Interview with Hiring Manager (Program Coordination Focus)

This round dives deeper into your specific qualifications for the role, with a focus on your program management skills. You will be asked how you have coordinated projects in the past, particularly within a regulated industry.

Example Questions:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to manage a regulatory compliance project with multiple stakeholders.”
• “How do you ensure that deadlines are met, especially when managing both internal and external teams?”
• “Describe a situation where you had to resolve a challenge while coordinating a project with government agencies or regulatory bodies.”

You may be asked situational questions to evaluate how you handle real-time challenges related to policy and regulatory compliance.

3. Technical Interview (Skill and Knowledge Assessment)

While the role isn’t strictly technical, expect questions that assess your familiarity with policy regulations, project management tools, and strategies used in the regulatory affairs space.

Example Questions:

• “What project management tools have you used in the past, and how do you track and report on progress?”
• “How would you go about preparing a report for senior leadership on the status of a key policy issue?”
• “Explain a time when you had to communicate complex regulatory information to non-experts.”

4. Final Round (Cultural Fit and Behavioral Interview)

The last round is typically an in-depth interview with senior leadership or team members. This round focuses on your ability to fit within Remitly’s corporate culture and your soft skills like collaboration and problem-solving.

Example Questions:

• “How do you handle working with cross-functional teams, especially when they may have competing priorities?”
• “Tell me about a time when you had to make a tough decision related to regulatory compliance. How did you approach it?”
• “How do you manage stress when working on tight deadlines or complex policy issues?”

You may also be asked about Remitly’s mission and values to gauge if your personal beliefs align with the company’s culture.

Skills and Experiences They Are Looking For

Here are key aspects Remitly looks for in candidates for this role:

• Program Coordination & Project Management: Strong organizational skills are crucial. They want someone who can juggle multiple projects, coordinate with different teams, and keep things running smoothly.
• Policy & Regulatory Knowledge: Remitly is a global company in the financial services space, so understanding regulatory environments (especially around financial transactions and remittances) is essential. You should be able to speak to how you’ve worked with regulatory bodies or managed compliance issues.
• Communication Skills: As a Program Coordinator, you’ll often be interacting with senior leadership, government entities, and external partners. Your ability to clearly communicate complex topics in written and verbal formats will be critical.
• Collaboration & Cross-functional Coordination: You’ll be working across departments, so experience in managing relationships and collaborating on complex issues will be key.
• Attention to Detail: Given the nature of the work, where small oversights can lead to major compliance issues, attention to detail is critical.

Example Situational Questions

To help you prepare for specific situations you might be asked about, here are a few real-world examples:

Managing Multiple Stakeholders

Question: “Tell me about a time when you had to manage a project that required coordination with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external. How did you keep everyone aligned?”

Tip: Focus on demonstrating how you prioritized communication, set clear expectations, and ensured everyone was on the same page.

Regulatory Change Management

Question: “Describe an instance when there was a significant regulatory change affecting your industry. How did you ensure your team stayed compliant and how did you communicate this change to leadership?”

Tip: Highlight any experience where you’ve had to adapt to shifting regulations and the proactive steps you took to mitigate risk.

Dealing with Tight Deadlines

Question: “Can you describe a time when you were under a tight deadline to submit a report or complete a project related to regulatory compliance? How did you handle the pressure?”

Tip: Talk about your time management skills, your ability to focus on priorities, and any strategies you used to stay organized under pressure.

Cultural Fit Questions

Remitly places a strong emphasis on cultural alignment. You may be asked to demonstrate how your personal values resonate with their mission and work environment.

Example Questions:

• “What motivates you to work in policy and regulatory affairs, especially within the financial services sector?”
• “How do you ensure inclusivity and collaboration in teams, especially when dealing with global projects?”