Director/Senior Vice President, Regional & State Government Affairs

This position may be filled at either the Director or Senior Vice President level based on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, leadership background, and demonstrated ability to assume the scope of responsibility required.

About the role

At either level, the position will have direct responsibility for an assigned region, including state legislative and regulatory advocacy, member and chapter engagement, relationships with elected officials and regulators, regional events, budget management, and oversight of contract lobbyists and other external resources.

• Candidates selected at the Director level will primarily focus on direct regional advocacy and chapter management across assigned states.
• Candidates selected at the Senior Vice President level will assume the same direct regional responsibilities while also providing national leadership for NWRA’s regional government and chapter affairs function, including managing Regional Vice Presidents/Regional Directors, coordinating multi-state advocacy strategy, establishing performance expectations, identifying cross-regional policy trends, and serving as a senior advisor to the President & CEO.

Responsibilities

• State legislative and regulatory advocacy
• Member and chapter engagement
• Relationships with elected officials and regulators
• Regional events management
• Budget management
• Oversight of contract lobbyists and other external resources
• Multi-state advocacy strategy coordination (Senior Vice President level)
• Managing Regional Vice Presidents/Regional Directors (Senior Vice President level)
• Establishing performance expectations (Senior Vice President level)
• Identifying cross-regional policy trends (Senior Vice President level)
• Serving as a senior advisor to the President & CEO (Senior Vice President level)

Qualifications

Director-Level Qualifications

• 5–7 years of state-level advocacy experience
• Proven experience organizing and managing advocacy campaigns
• Experience working in a state government advocacy environment
• Experience managing and producing fundraising or member events
• Bachelor’s degree in political science or relevant experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build productive relationships with members, legislators, regulators, government officials, and other stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple state and regional priorities in a fast-paced environment

Senior Vice President-Level Qualifications

• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, public policy, association management, or a related field, including substantial state-level advocacy experience
• At least 5 years of successful leadership experience, including management of senior-level professionals or geographically dispersed teams
• Demonstrated success developing and executing multi-state legislative and regulatory strategies and advocacy campaigns
• Executive presence and credibility with C-suite member leaders, elected officials, regulators, partners, boards, and volunteer leaders
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive situations, and communicate complex issues clearly
• Experience managing budgets, contract lobbyists, consultants, fundraising events, and chapter or regional operations
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across government affairs, communications, membership, events, finance, and executive leadership functions
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, government, business, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered
• An advanced degree is preferred
• Knowledge of the waste and recycling industry, environmental policy, or another regulated industry is strongly preferred

Travel and Work Requirements

• Frequent travel throughout the assigned region, with regular travel to state capitals, member locations, chapter meetings, other regions, and national NWRA events
• Ability to respond to time-sensitive legislative, regulatory, member, and media matters outside standard business hours when necessary
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, by video, and in writing with internal and external audiences, including large groups