Job Description

Vice President, Government Affairs

Chemical, product safety, and environmental issues.

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)

Position Overview

A leading trade association representing a major U.S. industry, including formulators, chemical suppliers, and packaging companies that develop products used to ensure health, hygiene, and sustainability seeking a strategic and highly collaborative leader to serve as Vice President, Government Affairs.

Reporting to the President & CEO, drive the federal and state advocacy agenda, ensuring public policy outcomes support the innovation, safety, and sustainability of the industry. Represent the organization before Congress, federal and state agencies, and international bodies, while leading a high-performing government affairs team and engaging deeply with member companies.

This role requires exceptional political acumen, strong bipartisan relationships, deep knowledge of chemical and environmental policy, and the ability to translate complex regulatory and legislative developments into business implications for members.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Advocacy Leadership

Develop and execute the federal and state government affairs strategy, advancing policies that promote innovation, sustainability, and market growth. Anticipate and respond to political, legislative, and regulatory developments affecting members, including issues related to:

• Chemical management and TSCA implementation.
• EPA regulations on air, water, and waste.
• Sustainability and circular economy policies (plastics, recycling, packaging).
• Workplace safety and OSHA standards.
• Ingredient transparency and labeling requirements.
• Trade and tariff policy impacting chemical supply chains.
• Public health preparedness and hygiene policy.

Representation & Advocacy

• Serve as a leading voice for the industry before Congress, federal and state agencies, coalitions, and key stakeholder groups.
• Build bipartisan relationships to secure policy outcomes that align with Association priorities.
• Represent the organization as spokesperson with policymakers, media, and external audiences.

Member & Board Engagement

• Advise the Board of Directors and committees on policy and political developments.
• Engage with senior executives across the membership to ensure advocacy priorities reflect business needs.
• Translate policy developments into actionable insights for members.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor government affairs staff and manage external consultants.
• Foster collaboration across departments to align advocacy with communications, regulatory, and scientific priorities.
• Ensure full compliance with all lobbying disclosure, ethics, and reporting requirements.

Core Competencies (What Success Looks Like)

• Innovation & Foresight – Anticipates long-term policy trends; identifies opportunities to position members as leaders in innovation and sustainability.
• Relationship Building & Networking – Maintains trusted, bipartisan relationships across government, industry, and NGOs.
• Scientific & Technical Literacy – Demonstrates fluency in scientific and regulatory issues; translates technical content into clear advocacy messages.
• Advocacy & Influence – Achieves measurable policy wins through lobbying, coalition-building, and persuasive communication.
• Communication Excellence – Speaks with authority; delivers complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Leadership & Team Management – Inspires, develops, and directs a high-performing team and consultants.
• Business & Policy Integration – Aligns advocacy with business drivers and member needs.
• Agility & Crisis Management – Mobilizes rapid responses to emerging threats or opportunities.
• Ethics & Integrity – Models transparency, accountability, and compliance.
• Coalition & Stakeholder Engagement – Builds and leads broad-based coalitions; aligns diverse stakeholders behind shared advocacy goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or regulatory advocacy (association, corporate, or government).
• Proven success leading advocacy campaigns with measurable outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of federal and state legislative/regulatory processes, particularly in chemical, environmental, and product safety policy.
• Established bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill, with EPA, FDA, OSHA, and other relevant agencies.
• Strong communication and executive presence; track record as spokesperson or public-facing leader.
• Experience advising Boards and senior executives; ability to translate policy into business strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, manage consultants, and build coalitions.
• Advanced degree in public policy, law, or related field preferred.
• Flexibility for overnight travel and a hybrid work schedule.

Success Measures

• Securing bipartisan allies and achieving policy wins aligned with organizational priorities.
• Recognition of the association as a trusted, influential voice in federal and state policymaking.
• High member satisfaction with government affairs strategy and representation.
• Strong collaboration across the organization and alignment of advocacy with organizational goals.
• Development of a high-performing, mission-driven government affairs team.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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