Manager, Government Affairs

This is a great opportunity to do substantive advocacy work and advance a sustainable, thriving industry that makes essential paper and wood products Americans use every day!

As part of a collaborative team, you will use strategic and critical thinking skills to advocate for member interests and move the industry forward. This position provides an opportunity to develop expertise and manage a portfolio of high-profile federal legislative initiatives. Focus areas currently include the Transportation Committee, postal and paper marketplace issues, and water and energy issues.

The below description provides more detail on American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), this important role and how you will impact the industry.

Working at AF&PA:

Based in Washington, DC, 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.

Essential job functions:

• Develop, coordinate and implement advocacy strategies to achieve industry policy positions
• Analyze, report on, and respond to assigned legislative and regulatory initiatives
• Build and maintain relationships with key congressional members and staff 
• Ensure AF&PA legislative goals are coordinated with other AF&PA departments and related industry groups, including coalition engagement  
• Represent AF&PA to outside audiences, organizations and strategic alliances through meetings and attending political events
• Maintain relationships and coordinate with outside interest groups in coalitions on shared federal legislative goals, leading where appropriate
• Develop educational opportunities for federal legislators and their staff that serve to highlight the industry accomplishments 
• Write letters, testimony and various association member communications
• Manage policy committees for the industry, and monitor/engage on issues facing the industry. This includes developing and implementing budgets, running meetings, coordinating member input on key issues, and developing advocacy strategies
• Serve on internal issue teams; manage, plan, and run meetings on relevant issue topics affecting the association
• As a registered federal lobbyist, ensure all actions demonstrate the highest level of compliance and ethical standards

Qualifications:

Not all great candidates will meet all the criteria listed below. If your knowledge, skills and abilities are transferrable and you think you’re a great candidate for AF&PA - please consider applying.

·         Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in one of the social or agricultural sciences 

·         Five or more years of experience in one or more of the following environments: Capitol Hill legislative staff, government affairs office for a trade association, lobbying firm, policy staff/political campaigns

• Working knowledge of the federal legislative process required
• 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 analyze, evaluate and present statistical data
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion with integrity, 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 in a collaborative, diverse environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

·         Understanding of environment, recycling, forest product industry or other manufacturing sector is a plus

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to be between $82,000-$102,000. This is a good-faith estimate based on market data for comparable positions and the current budgeted amount for this role. Factors to be considered when determining the salary of the selected candidate include relevant skills, experience and knowledge, and the alignment of these qualities with those of existing staff.

AF&PA offers a generous benefits package which current includes:

·         Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year, plus holidays

·         Four Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans options (including our most popular plan that covers 100% of the employee premium and 94% of the cost to add family members)

·         Generous retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution after waiting period

·         Free access to a new 7,000 sqft fitness center with Pelotons, Mirror Fitness, weights and more

·         Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account...

Location:

Our current location is at 11^th and K NW, and we will be moving at the end of the year to 13^th and G, NW (above Metro Station). Our office is hybrid, which includes up to two days of remote work; however, due to the nature of the work in federal government affairs, we expect the selected person will spend the majority of their time on the Hill and at the DC office.

About Us

The American Forest & Paper Association (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 recyclable 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% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org.