(Advocacy and Policy) Manager, Recycling and Packaging Sustainability

Blend of policy development and advocacy with the potential to reshape the marketplace. With sustainability at the heart of our mission, the Manager, Recycling and Packaging Sustainability will play a valued role in advancing the industry.

This role includes managing specific projects and advocacy issues related to packaging (containerboard/kraft) and recovered fiber initiatives for the association, conducting research and representing the association with stakeholder groups. This is a great opportunity for someone with policy or similar experience to become a subject matter expert in recycling, sustainability and product stewardship.

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 11th and K Street, NW. In-office workdays may increase based on business needs.

Working at AF&PA:

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...

Paper and Packaging Recovery Policy Development and Advocacy Support

• Develop subject matter expertise (data & information) that can support lobbying efforts; participate in policymaker education and lobbying activities as needed in collaboration with government affairs team
• Stay current on issues and developments in the recycling industry and marketplace and understand how they relate to state legislative and regulatory action
• Manage priority partnerships and strategic relationships
• Collaborate on research projects on certain packaging and/or paper recovery and recycling topics. This includes:
• Support implementation of research design, approach, and data collection
• Assist with analysis of data/information, next steps and communication of results to staff and members
• Represent AF&PA to outside audiences, organizations and strategic alliances through various means including public speaking to groups of all sizes
• Review and analyze proposed federal and state legislation and regulation relating to Sector policy priorities 

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Implementation

• Track state regulatory activity on EPR implementation and participate in stakeholder meetings in various states
• Analyze the impact to industry of proposed regulations and work with members to develop industry policy positions
• Draft comments and support advocacy activities
• Develop coalitions and relationships with other stakeholders to build support for the industry’s policy positions

Recycling Outreach

• Manage the development and execution of Recovered Fiber educational outreach plan to accomplish the industry’s objectives, to include:
• Keep members apprised of relevant Recovered Fiber initiatives and activities
• Engage other recycling industry associations to advance common educational outreach goals
• Provide information and content ideas and collaborate with communications staff team on creation of interactive, informative and up-to-date recycling-related materials for the AF&PA website, print and digital media (with communications and vendors)
• Support execution of communications/outreach plans for America Recycles Week
• Lead educational/advocacy with outside stakeholders and municipalities supporting product recyclability

General

• Participate in Sector and committee program planning, and prepare materials for meetings
• Create documents and memos on assigned topics
• Draft text and create graphics for presentations
• Help manage and monitor Industry Affairs departmental budget planning and implementation

Qualifications:

We recognize few individuals may have all the qualifications listed below. If your experience is a good match for the role, and you meet most of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred; Sustainability, Business Administration, Marketing, or Communications preferred
• Five or more years of professional work experience required, including experience in one or more of the following roles: federal or state policy development, corporate or trade association government, industry affairs or sustainability, or other related role
• Experience in packaging, recycling, sustainability, product stewardship, and/or natural resources preferred
• Excellent communication skills in writing, editing and public presentation
• Strong organizational and project management skills to effectively balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and research skills
• Ability to produce high quality work within tight deadlines
• Ability to develop, analyze and evaluate statistical data
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion with initiative, and limited supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and exercise discretion in sensitive AF&PA matters and on policy and market issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to maintain positive rapport with co-workers
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel to member facilities, industry conferences, and policymaker meetings in the US and Canada
• Ability to occasionally work outside of regular business hours/days as necessary

About AF&PA:

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 Practices, 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.