Career Center

Use leadership and strategic planning to advocate for member interests and lead the multi-state government affairs function of a national trade association. At American Forest & Paper Association, we belong to a thriving industry that creates essential everyday products from renewable and recyclable resources.

In addition to member advocacy, the Senior Director, Government Affairs will be responsible for supervision of the state affairs team and contract lobbyists, and they will ensure the coordination of association state lobbying efforts with overall policy goals of association members.

This great position is available due to an internal promotion, which follows a planned retirement early next year. Although this is an established position, the selected individual will have an opportunity to elevate it to new heights.

AF&PA will begin interviews in December, complete final interviews in January, and onboard the new team member in early to mid-February.

Location:

This is a hybrid position with in-office and remote work. The selected person will be expected to regularly work two days in the DC office at 11^th and K Street, NW. In-office workdays may increase and decrease occasionally based on business needs.

Essential Job Functions:

Lobbyist: Advocate for member interests in a portfolio of assigned states by tracking, analyzing, and reporting on state and local legislative and regulatory activities; meet with state legislators, regulators, and local elected officials; testify before state and local legislative and regulatory bodies; serve as a liaison to state public policy groups

Advocate: Develop educational opportunities for state legislators, regulators, and local elected officials that serve to highlight the industry accomplishments; build relationships with industry champions and association allies; manage state grassroots campaigns and recruit participants; coordinate letters and testimony as well as drafting association member communications

Manager: Supervise and perform management responsibilities for internal state affairs team members including hiring and training; drafting performance reviews and annual goals; serving as the first point of contact for advice and coaching; identifying professional development opportunities; reviewing and approving timesheets; supervising a portfolio of about ten contract lobbyists in key states

Association Management: Managing the State Affairs Contacts committee by running weekly calls, answering day-to-day questions from staff and member companies, planning state advocacy days, drafting and managing budget, recruiting committee leadership

Strategist: Support the Vice President of Government Affairs in managing the overall strategy of the State Affairs program including manage oversight and hiring of state contract lobbyists; serve on cross-departmental issue teams; and maintain relationships with, and coordinate with, member company lobbyists and outside interest groups in coalitions and on shared state and local legislative and regulatory goals; ensure AF&PA state and local legislative and regulatory goals are coordinated with other AF&PA departments and related industry groups

Qualifications:

• College degree required
• Graduate degree in Public Policy, Law or related field preferred but not required
• Seven to ten (or more) years of experience in one or more of the following roles: corporate state government affairs, paid state legislative/campaign staff, or another state government role; experience managing a set of states preferred
• Thorough understanding of the legislative and advocacy process
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High degree of teamwork, organizational and project management skills
• Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities with high quality execution and performance
• Ability to travel and work nights or weekends as needed
• Experience in multistate government relations preferred
• Experience working with NCSL, CSG, ALEC, or similar organizations preferred
• Experience with trade associations preferred
• Experience/educational background in manufacturing, environmental, energy, forest products, green building, chemical stewardship and/or transportation issues preferred

About American Forest & Paper Association

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) values diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invites all talented individuals to apply to be part of our team and support our culture and mission. We encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas and different perspectives to reach our goals and we support work/life balance. We offer a generous benefits package that includes: •Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year, plus holidays •100%-85% paid CareFirst medical plans for employees (multiple options) •Generous 401(k) retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution •Free access to new 7,000 sqft fitness center with Pelotons, Mirror Fitness, and more •Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account... AF&PA serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycle resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative — Better Practic...es, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures nearly $350 billion in products annually and employs approximately 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states.

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