Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs

## Position Title: SVP State Government Affairs

**Reports To:** President & CEO
**FLSA Status:** Exempt

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## Position Summary
The Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs is a senior executive and “player‑coach” responsible for leading NWRA’s regional government and chapter affairs function nationwide while directly managing an assigned region (group of state chapters). The position develops and executes a coordinated regional advocacy strategy, manages and develops the Regional Vice Presidents/Regional Directors, ensures consistency and accountability across regions, and serves as a senior advisor to the President & CEO on local, state and regional legislative, regulatory, membership, and chapter matters. The Senior Vice President also maintains hands‑on responsibility for advocacy, member engagement, chapter operations, events, and budgets within their own assigned region.

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## Association Leadership and Regional Strategy
– Lead the national regional government and chapter affairs function and translate NWRA’s strategic priorities into coordinated local, state and regional advocacy plans, operating standards, goals, and measurable outcomes.
– Serve as the primary executive liaison between the President & CEO, Regional Vice Presidents/Regional Directors, chapter leaders, and member companies on regional priorities and emerging issues.
– Identify cross‑regional legislative and regulatory trends, risks, and opportunities; recommend association‑wide positions, resource allocation, and escalation strategies.
– Ensure consistent implementation of NWRA policy positions while allowing for appropriate state and regional adaptation.
– Represent NWRA with senior government officials, regulators, and partners on significant regional and state matters.
– Provide executive‑level reporting on legislative activity, regional performance, membership engagement, chapter health, financial results, and major risks.

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## People Leadership and Performance Management
– Directly manage, coach, and develop the Regional Vice Presidents/Regional Directors and other assigned regional affairs staff, including goal setting, prioritization, performance feedback, and succession planning.
– Establish clear expectations for advocacy effectiveness, member service, chapter governance, event execution, financial stewardship, and internal collaboration.
– Lead regular team meetings and cross‑regional planning sessions to promote alignment, share best practices, and resolve competing priorities.
– Assess staffing, coverage models, and external lobbying resources; recommend changes to strengthen regional impact and service delivery.
– Build a high‑accountability, service‑oriented culture that balances strategic leadership with hands‑on execution.

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## Direct Regional Responsibilities
– Manage an assigned region and perform the core responsibilities expected of a Regional Vice President/Regional Director, including direct advocacy, chapter support, member engagement, events, and budget management.
– Develop a visible and credible presence for the waste and recycling industry in assigned state capitals through meetings, testimony, speeches, correspondence, and participation in policy forums.
– Monitor state legislative and regulatory activity; develop and implement advocacy strategies consistent with NWRA policy and chapter priorities.
– Serve as spokesperson for the industry and cultivate productive relationships with legislators, regulators, governors’ offices, agencies, coalitions, and media contacts.
– Promote member participation in public policy efforts and mobilize member executives and subject matter experts when appropriate.
– Supervise contract lobbyists, consultants, and other external resources within the assigned region.

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## Membership and Chapter Leadership
– Oversee the quality and consistency of chapter support across all regions, including governance practices, committee staffing, communications, member service, and annual planning.
– Provide direct support to members in the assigned region by facilitating access to government officials, preparing members for meetings or testimony, and coordinating requests with headquarters.
– Staff assigned Chapter Steering Committees and other chapter committees, including agendas, background materials, minutes, follow‑up, and implementation of decisions.
– Lead member retention and engagement efforts, including regular visits, calls, meetings, and issue‑based outreach, and support recruitment of new members in partnership with membership staff.
– Act as a senior liaison between chapter members and the headquarters office, ensuring issues are elevated and addressed promptly.

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## Events, Financial Management, and Administration
– Oversee regional and chapter events designed to advance advocacy, strengthen member engagement, and raise funds in accordance with NWRA policies.
– Direct the development, review, and management of regional and chapter budgets; monitor revenue, expenses, forecasts, and financial performance.
– Ensure Regional Vice Presidents/Regional Directors follow established policies, approval processes, contracts, reporting requirements, and internal controls.
– Organize and participate in statewide, regional, and national meetings and ensure effective coordination with other NWRA teams.

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## Leadership Scope and Decision‑Making
– Operates with substantial autonomy and exercises senior‑level judgment on political strategy, issue prioritization, personnel matters, member relations, external representation, and allocation of regional resources.
– Makes recommendations to the President & CEO on matters with organization‑wide, reputational, financial, or public policy implications.
– Balances enterprise consistency with the unique political, regulatory, and membership needs of individual states and chapters.
– Serves as an escalation point for complex regional issues, member concerns, chapter governance challenges, and performance matters.

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## Required Skills and Experience
– 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, and boards or volunteer leaders.
– Proven ability to manage competing priorities, make sound judgments 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 a related regulated industry is strongly preferred.

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## Travel and Work Requirements
– Frequent travel throughout the assigned region and regular travel to other regions, state capitals, member locations, chapter meetings, 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.

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## Physical Demands
The position requires prolonged sitting; regular use of a computer, telephone, and email; and the ability to participate in meetings and public speaking engagements. Hearing and vision within normal ranges are essential for ordinary communication and document review. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

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