State and Local External Affairs Manager

Are You Ready for a New Beginning?

We need your talent, knowledge, and dedication to better our world with biology.

Our Purpose Points the Way

At Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we’ve gotten so far, and it’s how we’ll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. With biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.

We’re here to better our world with biology.

Join Us as Our New State and Local External Affairs Manager!

As the State and Local External Affairs Manager at Novonesis, you will play a critical role in managing state and local government relations and providing strategic support for our operations across key regions in the U.S. and Canada. You will be responsible for monitoring and analyzing state and local policy developments, with a focus on areas such as supply chain operations, workforce development, and ensuring the company’s freedom to operate. Additionally, you will contribute to enhancing local brand recognition by fostering relationships with key stakeholders.

In This Role, You’ll Make an Impact By:

• Acting as the primary liaison for internal stakeholders on state and local policy issues, particularly those impacting supply chain, workforce development, and operational flexibility.
• Collaborating with the Head of Government Relations to identify, assess, and develop strategies for addressing policy challenges, risks, and opportunities, while advocating for Novonesis’ business interests.
• Conducting research and providing analysis to support policy outreach, communications, and advocacy efforts.
• Working closely with Business Development, Communications, and site leadership teams to build, maintain, and leverage relationships with key local stakeholders and partners.
• Organizing and supporting meetings, site visits, and events to further organizational objectives and strengthen relationships with local decision-makers.
• Contributing to local media outreach and placements, helping to communicate Novonesis’ position on relevant policy issues and initiatives.

To Succeed, You Should Have:

• A Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree strongly preferred).
• At least 3+ years of relevant experience in legislative affairs, ideally within state government, Congress, or a corporate/organizational government relations role.
• Willingness and ability to travel at least 25% of the time.
• Proven expertise in issue management, advocacy, or association management.
• Strong ability to analyze complex policy issues and effectively communicate them to both internal teams and external government officials.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate high-level executive visits.
• An established network and relationships with state legislators, governors, and local policymakers, particularly in Nebraska, Wisconsin, or California, is preferred.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a direct impact on Novonesis’ local and state-level policy engagement while strengthening our presence in key markets.

Location & Application Details

• Location: You may be located near one of our sites in Washington, DC, Blair, NE, Milwaukee, WI, or Davis, CA (hybrid).
• Application Deadline: February 11, 2025.
• Expected Salary Range: $120,000 – $155,000 (dependent on location).

Benefits You Will Enjoy:

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution.
• Minimum of 3 weeks vacation, plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time.
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance.
• Healthcare savings account option with a generous employer contribution.
• Employee assistance program.
• Parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Could Our Purpose Be Yours? Then Apply Today!

At Novonesis, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. We recommend you not attach a cover letter to your application. Instead, please include a few sentences in your resume/CV about why you are applying. To ensure a fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your resume/CV.

Novonesis is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, disability, or veteran status.

Learn more here