Regional Director, State Government Affairs

About the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), a Washington, DC-based trade association, represents the nation’s nearly one million workers in the plastics industry. PLASTICS seeks a Regional Director to manage state legislative and regulatory issues in the West Region. The Regional Director works directly with the Vice President of Government Affairs in proactively influencing elected officials and staff to advance the plastics public policy agenda. The Director identifies legislative and government relations issues, opportunities, and priorities and collaborates with other entities to build areas of common interest. Working in conjunction with the PLASTICS team, the Regional Director will facilitate conversations between members and key policymakers across the region and build relationships to grow PLASTICS’ presence.

Responsibilities

• Tracks legislation, public policy, and regulatory issues at the state level.
• Meets with elected officials and staff on industry positions regarding key legislative and regulatory issues.
• Drafts public testimony, letters, and issue papers relevant to the industry.
• Testifies before elected and appointed bodies on industry positions as directed.
• Composes correspondence for PLASTICS on legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Attends regional meetings as necessary to ensure PLASTICS’ presence in covered states.
• Engages effectively with relevant policy groups and coalitions working on policy priorities of mutual concern.
• Works with and directs contract lobbyists in various states.
• Builds, maintains, and enhances effective relationships with key elected officials and relevant staff to advance industry priorities.
• Executes facility tour visits for policymakers to provide firsthand insight into member operations.
• Plans and organizes advocacy events to facilitate face-to-face interactions between members and elected officials.
• Liaises with other PLASTICS staff and committees on state government affairs needs, including issue summaries, presentations, and inquiries about policy positions.
• Manages related and other duties as assigned in support of department and business needs.

Education & Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in politics, government affairs, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in a related state legislature, government affairs, political campaigning, or coalition-building position for a trade association or lobbying firm.
• Experience with regional legislative processes and policy landscapes at the state level in California, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, and Washington.
• Experience in the plastics industry preferred.
• Experience cultivating relationships with key elected officials and staff.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Understanding of state regulations and the legislative process.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills with diverse stakeholder audiences.
• Ability to communicate in-depth issues with industry groups, policymakers, opinion leaders, and the public.
• Self-motivated with attention to detail and excellent analytical, strategic, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work on a variety of projects simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work well autonomously and collectively to build consensus among internal and external stakeholders.
• An earnest work ethic and dedication to the collective success of the organization in service of our membership.
• A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with colleagues from multiple backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to embodying and upholding PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation in all interactions and responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel (<30%).

About PLASTICS

PLASTICS is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain. We proudly represent the nearly one million people employed by companies in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team, striving for growth and success. Together, we shape the direction of the entire plastics industry and, as a job requirement, have some fun while doing so. Employees have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We also encourage volunteerism. As a team, we seek opportunities to improve the communities in which we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups.

We offer generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; well-being programs; a 401(k) plan with employer contributions that vest immediately; competitive salaries; professional development programs; a hybrid work environment; flexible work hours; and more! We value work-life balance by offering unlimited paid time off, wellness days, and observing all federal holidays, plus a winter break!

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, or any factor prohibited by applicable law.

Please apply at https://www.plasticsindustry.org/career-center/.