Director, State and Regulatory Affairs

Director of State Government Affairs

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is seeking a Director of State Government Affairs.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Together, our members contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

Position Overview

The Director, State Government Affairs is responsible for leading NEMA’s State Government relations and advocacy. The position primarily interacts with state legislators, state legislative trade associations, and is responsible for managing NEMA’s State Government Affairs Committee (SGAC), which sets policy and advocacy priorities for NEMA at the state level. Advocacy expertise on both policy and technical issues to achieve desired outcomes is a key expectation of this position.

The Director, State Government Affairs is responsible for working with the SGAC to identify key issues relevant to NEMA and develop and execute a strategic plan to advance NEMA’s mission and state-level policy positions. Priority areas include policies and legislation affecting electrical manufacturers such as end-of-life product care, environmental producer responsibility legislation, chemicals and other critical materials, and legislation related to the energy transition, manufacturing supply chain, mobility (EVs and related), the Grid, the Built Environment (e.g., batteries and lighting), and core industrial (such as cable and wire).

The Director reports to the Managing Director, Government Relations. NEMA is based in Arlington, Virginia. The work schedule for this position is provisioned either for hybrid work or remote work. Approximately 25% time on domestic travel is required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage NEMA State Government Relations Advocacy and coordinate advocacy and adoption of building codes (NEC, IECC):
   • Successfully advocate for NEMA industry positions with relevant agencies via in-person meetings, webinar/teleconference, and written comments.
   • Build positive relationships with and persuasively represent NEMA’s policy positions to relevant state government agency officials and members and staff of state legislatures in states where NEMA has or seeks to establish a presence.
   • Maintain close coordination with NEMA membership on issues of importance.
   • Coordinate with NEMA Director of Built Environment sector and NEMA’s regional Technical Field Representatives on code adaptation and advocacy.
   • Team with NEMA technical leads to stay abreast of planned changes in building codes and coordinate activities in states where code adoption is lagging.
   • Form and lead coalitions to achieve assigned objectives, including teaming with other trade associations and/or professional organizations.
2. Lead Development and Implementation of State-Level Policy Strategies:
   • Anticipate longer-term trends in state legislation and communicate through all NEMA channels, with emphasis on legislative initiatives relevant to Members.
   • Forcefully represent the association in state-level activities with officials, legislators, regulators, and other stakeholders.
   • Understand, analyze, and develop action plans to achieve industry-supportive results in state legislatures.
   • Coordinate with relevant industry stakeholders, state associations, and other advocacy organizations to help achieve desired legislative outcomes.

Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree is required, advanced degrees a plus.
• Five or more years of proven experience in government relations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state regulatory processes to include energy conservation standards, building codes, and electrical safety highly desirable.
• Knowledge of electric energy/utility and manufacturing challenges and opportunities, especially as may be affected by regulations.
• Strong relationship builder with executive presence, ability to shape policy-making and regulatory processes to achieve goals.
• Trade association experience desirable and keen to master new digital skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to persuasively advocate in private and public settings.
• Innovative thinker and leader, individually proactive and outcome-oriented, performs effectively as a team leader/builder/player.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, multidiscipline environment with challenging timelines for multiple projects occurring simultaneously.
• Must be able to work in a manner consistent with NEMA’s core values of respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

Additional Information

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health and dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. EOE/M/F/V/D.

Apply Here

https://www.click2apply.net/Y2WpeNcP8RkOGSRWyHVP82

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