Director, Government Relations

About NMMA

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading trade association for the U.S. and Canadian recreational boating industry, representing 85% of the market, including companies that manufacture boats, marine engines, and accessories. NMMA serves as the industry’s primary advocate before federal, state, and international policymakers, ensuring a favorable business environment and supporting the continued growth of recreational boating.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President of Government Relations, the Director of Government Relations (GR) will lead key policy and legislative initiatives, engaging with Congress, federal agencies, and key stakeholders to drive NMMA’s water access, infrastructure, sustainability, and manufacturing agenda. This role will oversee federal lobbying strategies, manage key industry priorities, build coalitions, and provide strategic leadership to advocacy efforts across NMMA’s political engagement and legislative work.

The Director will assist in NMMA’s work supporting the BoatPAC and American Boating Congress (ABC) and will play a pivotal role in enhancing NMMA’s presence in Washington, D.C., and across the states.

Key Responsibilities

Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy

• Execute NMMA’s federal advocacy strategies, identifying opportunities and threats to the recreational boating industry.
• Engage directly with Congress, federal agencies, and regulatory bodies to advance NMMA’s legislative and policy priorities.
• Work closely with NMMA’s Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs team to translate industry positions into effective advocacy strategies.
• Provide strategic insight for NMMA’s political engagement and grassroots activation efforts.

Strategic Leadership & Team Engagement

• Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President of Government Relations, ensuring alignment between NMMA’s policy goals and broader industry priorities.
• Mentor and assist a team of federal advocacy professionals, fostering collaboration and effective execution of policy initiatives.
• Coordinate closely with NMMA’s Public Affairs team to ensure unified messaging across the association’s policy and government relations efforts.
• Support NMMA’s engagement with coalition partners, industry stakeholders, and trade organizations to amplify the recreational boating industry’s voice.

Stakeholder & Member Engagement

• Act as a liaison to NMMA’s board members, industry partners, and association members, ensuring that NMMA’s advocacy work reflects industry priorities.
• Represent NMMA at industry events, trade shows, policy forums, and congressional briefings to strengthen relationships with key decision-makers.

PAC & Political Engagement

• Assist NMMA’s BoatPAC operations, supporting fundraising efforts, compliance, and member outreach, in coordination with NMMA’s PAC leadership.
• Support the American Boating Congress (ABC), NMMA’s flagship advocacy event, ensuring robust engagement from policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

• Capitol Hill experience (e.g., former Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, or Chief of Staff).
• Background in committees or agencies relevant to NMMA’s industry.
• Experience in tax, trade, infrastructure, and manufacturing policy (e.g., Ways & Means, Finance, Commerce, Transportation & Infrastructure, Appropriations, or Small Business Committees).
• Experience in environmental & sustainability policy (e.g., Natural Resources, Energy & Commerce, or Senate EPW Committees).
• Experience in recreational access & outdoor economy (e.g., Interior, Environment, or Outdoor Recreation-focused agencies or caucuses).
• Experience working with industry coalitions, trade associations, or outdoor recreation advocacy groups.

Competencies

• Strategic Mindset
• Persuades
• Builds Networks
• Manages Complexity
• Collaborates
• Drives Results
• Balances Stakeholders
• Communicates Effectively
• Manages Ambiguity
• Courage

Qualifications & Experience

• 5-10 years of government relations experience with a proven track record in federal policymaking, advocacy, and lobbying.
• Expertise in legislative and regulatory processes, with experience working on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency, in a governor’s office, or for a trade association.
• Strong political acumen and bipartisan experience engaging with Congress and federal agencies.
• Experience managing high-impact policy initiatives, particularly in areas related to environmental policy, tax, trade, infrastructure, manufacturing, and outdoor recreation.
• Demonstrated success in coalition-building, stakeholder management, and political engagement.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to mentor a high-performing government affairs team.
• Knowledge of the recreational boating industry is a plus.
• Deep understanding of congressional committee processes, legislative drafting, and regulatory engagement.
• Strong understanding of the political, regulatory, and legislative landscape affecting manufacturing, trade, and outdoor recreation.

Why Join NMMA?

• Lead federal advocacy efforts for a financially strong and growing trade association in a high-impact industry.
• Play a key role in shaping policies that support the growth and success of the $230 billion recreational boating industry.
• Collaborate with a dynamic leadership team in a newly integrated, issue-responsive advocacy structure.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Learn more here