Director, Government Relations – Animal Health

Job Description

Position Description

Director, Government Relations – Animal Health

Our Company’s Animal Health is a diverse business, offering products, technology solutions and services for all animal species including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, aquaculture, horses and companion animals.

This role will have responsibility for managing company issues at the federal level, including public policy initiatives for the business, leading engagement legislative processes, partnering on regulatory engagement and working with stakeholders via direct relationships, coalitions, and trade associations. Issue areas covered may include but are not limited to animal health, one health and zoonoses, animal welfare, sustainability, animal traceability, biotechnology, precision agriculture, animal monitoring, and veterinary telehealth.

This role will also have responsibility for leading the development and execution of public policy work as it relates to our Company’s Animal Health’s policy engagement on international issues impacting the North American business. Areas of focus will include building and maintaining relationships with relevant federal agencies, DC based Embassies and international bodies.

Position Overview

• Responsible for federal relationships across the entire Company Animal Health North American business (United States and Canada).
• Develop and lead strategy for federal government engagement collaborating with multiple teams to ensure our Company’s unified voice for congressional and administrative meetings on behalf of our Company’s Animal Health division.
• Lead ongoing collaboration with our Company’s Animal Health North American business leaders and other internal teams to understand policy needs and opportunities that align with business strategies from a federal perspective.
• Develop and lead implementation of the strategy on international trade issues impacting the North American business, including engagement with federal agencies, DC based Embassies, customer groups and other stakeholders to ensure our Company’s voice, and that of the industry, is heard.
• Coordination with North America Animal Health public policy team lead on management of hired consultants as it relates to federal policy and international issues.
• Leverage a grassroots advocacy strategy to contribute to federal legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Develop collaborative relationships with stakeholders including trade associations, professional societies, customers and policy thought leaders.
• Participate in animal health, business, and technology trade associations.
• Leverage relationships and networks to advance scientific and evidence-based policies that impact our business and deliver value for our customers.
• Manage other related projects effectively and efficiently, including assist other team members as appropriate.
• Prepare and support the development of communications for several audience levels – peers, colleagues, customers, management, and senior executives (e.g. executive briefings).

Position Qualifications

Location/Commute

We offer Hybrid Work Model (combination of In-office & offsite/remote). This position cannot be 100% remote.

Applicant must have ability to work from our Washington D.C site with up to 25% Travel (including International).

Education Minimum Requirement

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Advanced degree (e.g. Masters, J.D., DVM) preferred, but not required.

Application requirements

A cover letter referencing your specific interest in this role would be advantageous (not required).

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working in a relevant position within the federal government or for a corporation, trade association, or non-profit organization that develops policy and lobbies.
• Excellent relationship building and networking; strong interpersonal skills.
• Political advocacy and lobbying.
• Passion for animal health and well-being.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the Congressional process and with key agencies regulatory processes.
• Strong strategic thinker with realization of how larger economic and public policy landscape impacts business priorities.
• Demonstrated capacity for leadership, communication, and teamwork.
• Strong experience in policy development, relationship building, political communications, and messaging.
• Work collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates high ethical standards.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Preferred experience working with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, or House or Senate Agriculture Committees.
• Preferred experience on international trade issues, including experience with United State Trade Representative office, foreign embassies, World Organization of Animal Health and CODEX Alimentarius Commission.

Learn more here