Division Director, Federal Government Relations

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the national not-for-profit association established in 1863 and representing over 108,000 veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services, is seeking a Division Director for our Federal Government Relations Division (GRD) located in Washington, D.C.

The GRD advocates the Association’s policies and positions on federal legislative and regulatory issues that affect animal and human health and the veterinary profession. The mission of the Association is to lead the profession by advocating for our members and advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Associate EVP/Chief Advocacy Officer, the Director is responsible for leading AVMA’s federal legislative advocacy efforts based on the Association’s policies and positions. Key responsibilities include ensuring the effective utilization and compliance of the AVMA Political Action Committee under the oversight of the AVMA PAC Board and coordinating with other AVMA staff to address federal regulatory issues.

The Director will manage a team of lobbyists and other professional staff to ensure the activities of the Division align with the objectives set by the CEO, Chief Advocacy Officer, and the Board of Directors to maximize effectiveness for the association and its members.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify congressional and regulatory issues that may affect the veterinary profession and develop response strategies consistent with AVMA official policy.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, Congressional Committee staff, federal regulators, state and allied veterinary associations, producer organizations, humane organizations, and allied health organizations.
• Lead the lobbying team and develop strategies to achieve AVMA’s goals, lobbying Congress directly and forming coalitions to support and advance AVMA policies and initiatives.

Work Environment and Benefits

The AVMA offers a hybrid work environment and excellent employee benefits, including generous health insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off (e.g., vacation, sick leave, paid parental leave), and a supportive work/life balance. Deadline for application is December 18, 2024. Send your resume with salary requirements to: [email protected].

About the AVMA

Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, with an office in Washington, D.C., the AVMA is structured to work for its members. The organization serves as a collective voice for its members and the profession, offering various benefits such as:

• Information resources
• State and federal advocacy
• Opportunities to address issues and influence policy governing the veterinary profession
• Continuing education opportunities
• Quality publications
• Discounts on personal and professional products, programs, and services

The AVMA is carried out by a dedicated staff of over 170, governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, and operates with a $60M+ annual budget. For more information, visit https://www.avma.org/AVMAcareers.

EOE/M/F/D/V

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you must be highly collaborative and passionate about AVMA’s mission. Additional qualifications include:

• BS/BA degree
• Minimum of ten years of related work experience
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the federal legislative and regulatory process
• Strong involvement with organized veterinary medicine is highly desirable
• Strong leadership skills with excellent interpersonal and communication abilities (written and verbal)
• Ability to interact and effectively communicate with both scientific and non-scientific communities
• Proficiency in organizing, planning, and managing group meetings
• Commitment to AVMA’s principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Ability to travel approximately 20%+