Director, Federal Government Relations in Arlington, Virginia at CropLife America & RISE

CropLife America (CLA), a trade association located in the Washington, D.C. area, is seeking a full-time Director of Federal Government Relations. The Director of Federal Government Relations is a member of the Government Relations team and is responsible for representing the association on a range of federal legislative matters and for managing and engaging critical external allies and member company relationships through various association committees, issue management teams, and stakeholder coalitions. The Director reports to the Vice President of Government Relations.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary lobbyist responsible for industry policy and advocacy related to trade, supply chain, and market access.
• Cultivate and maintain stakeholder and ally relationships at the national level, including acting as the primary point of contact on trade policy.
• Lead and support the association’s Trade Committee and facilitate its input into policy strategies and initiatives.
• Direct various association resources and strategic relationships in defense of the pesticide industry’s right to operate.
• Coordinate with CLA government relations team and broader staff to proactively develop and deliver effective legislative strategies at the federal level.
• Track and achieve fluency with federal legislation, statutes, and regulations.
• Cooperatively manage consultants and other resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• BA/BS degree in agriculture, political science, environmental science, or similar fields.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience required.
• Prior work experience in federal government relations is required, and prior work and familiarity with the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and/or the Administration is preferred.
• The ability to produce effective written work products, including distilling complex or technical information into concise and influential communications, is essential.

Additional Qualifications:

• Develops and maintains effective relationships, including those with association members, allies, policymakers, lobbyists, coalitions, grassroots stakeholders, and teammates.
• Working understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process, including rules and procedures of relevant legislative and regulatory bodies.
• Working knowledge of provisions of primary statutes and regulations governing the pesticide industry.
• Basic understanding of and the ability to communicate science-related issues, including data development required to support registration and reregistration with government officials, coalition members, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates flexibility, sound judgment, discretion, and political acumen.
• Proven ability to build consensus and maintain trust/credibility is a must.
• Strong analytical, interpretive, evaluative, and constructive thinking skills.
• Must have a strong command of the English language.