Senior Director, International Affairs

This position can be based in our office at either Evanston, IL, Research Triangle Park, NC, or in our DC office.

About the role

As the Senior Director of International Affairs, you will oversee international government relations and global policy strategy to advance the mission of UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) to make the world safer, more secure, and more sustainable. You will drive the organization’s ability to anticipate, understand, and influence international policy related to standards and regulations, including engaging U.S. international policymakers such as ANSI, U.S. Government agencies, and other institutions that shape international standards, trade, regulatory, and public safety policies.

With a strong command of the global trade and regulatory landscape, you will identify opportunities for ULSE to inform and shape international policies, regulations, and market practices that advance public safety. Reporting to the VP of International Standards, you will serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor on geopolitical, legislative, regulatory, and stakeholder developments. In partnership with ULSE’s existing regional teams worldwide, you will drive international engagement with policymakers, regulators, industry representatives, standards bodies, and other influential stakeholders to deepen global awareness of ULSE and reinforce its positioning as a trusted authority in international safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated international government affairs strategy aligned with ULSE priorities, U.S. and international policy objectives, and opportunities to advance ULSE’s mission through engagement with ANSI, U.S. Government agencies, and other influential U.S. policymaking stakeholders.
• Advise senior leadership on geopolitical, legislative, regulatory, and policy developments that present opportunities or risks to the organization.
• Identify institutions, U.S. and international policy issues, and stakeholder relationships where ULSE can achieve meaningful influence, advance the use of its standards, and align its international strategy with relevant U.S. Government and ANSI-led policy priorities.
• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with policymakers, regulators, government officials, diplomatic representatives, standards bodies, relevant U.S. Government agencies, industry leaders, trade associations, and multilateral institutions.
• Lead ULSE’s engagement with international and regional bodies, including the WTO, OECD, UNECE, CEN, CENELEC, and other organizations influencing global trade, regulation, and standardization. Develop targeted strategies for advancing organizational priorities within these forums.
• Monitor and influence U.S. Government and ANSI international standards and regulatory policy priorities, translating those priorities into actionable strategies that strengthen ULSE’s global engagement, standards adoption, and policy impact.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to shape international policies, regulations, and standards-related initiatives that align with ULSE’s mission and expertise.
• Represent ULSE in regulatory consultations, international forums, conferences, coalitions, and industry engagements, strengthening ULSE’s visibility, influence, and impact.
• Partner with internal teams across the organization to develop coordinated, evidence-based policy positions and prepare executives and subject matter experts for consequential external engagements.
• Lead and develop a team of international professionals, provide strategic direction, and serve as a mentor to advance capabilities in the area of specialization. Cultivate a collaborative environment to ensure team success and effective execution.
• Contribute to department initiatives as needed, develop goals, metrics, or impact measures for the international affairs strategy.

About UL Standards & Engagement

At UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have created new safety standards and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge. Join us and work with our Standards teams who develop the standards required to put that knowledge into practice.

Qualifications

• Broad expertise in international government relations, regulatory affairs, global trade, advocacy, and the role of standards in advancing public safety.
• Demonstrated success engaging and influencing senior government officials, regulators, policymakers, standards organizations (including ANSI and relevant U.S. Government stakeholders), industry leaders, and international institutions.
• Proven ability to lead high-level stakeholder engagement, build coalitions, and navigate complex technical or standards-based issues within a policy and regulatory context.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex policy and regulatory documents, translating implications into clear, strategic recommendations and proposing language that advances organizational objectives.
• Established, results-oriented leader with the ability to set strategic direction, interpret and execute organizational strategy, translate priorities into actionable plans, establish measurable outcomes, and drive execution through effective management.
• Exceptional people leader with demonstrated experience building high-performing teams, setting expectations while establishing and operationalizing clear goals, and reinforcing accountability for both processes and results.
• Strong collaborator with experience aligning cross-functional teams to navigate complex issues and develop solutions with broad impact.
• Excellent communicator and presenter with strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders. Proven capability in establishing effective relationships with others, including senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional judgment, political acumen, and cultural intelligence, with the ability to navigate sensitive, high-profile international matters.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to innovate and adapt in a dynamic industry landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, political science, law, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, advocacy, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of direct people management experience, including leading and developing teams and driving accountability for results.
• Experience translating complex geopolitical, regulatory, or technical developments into strategic recommendations across multiple countries or regions.
• Experience within standards development, product safety, regulatory, nonprofit, or similarly mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
• Subject-matter expertise in at least one area related to products, safety, engineering, and/or sustainability strongly preferred.
• Experience with sectors including clean energy, lithium-ion battery and battery-powered devices, fire protection, mobility, electrical products, and/or artificial intelligence strongly preferred.

Benefits

• All employees at UL Standards & Engagement are eligible for bonus compensation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay, with an additional 4% contributed to your retirement savings fund after your first year of continuous employment.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.
• Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager.

Pay

Salary range: $158,735.43 - $218,261.22