Senior Director. Global Policy

Senior Director, Global Policy

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is seeking a Senior Director, Global Policy.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Together, our members contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

NEMA’s international trade policy is grounded in core international trade principles which include certainty and predictability, trade and domestic policy alignment, reciprocity, supply chain resiliency, regional integration, onshoring, market access, market-based global competition, standards and regulations, and enforcement.

The Senior Director, Global Policy will play a key role in responding to a dynamic trade environment and developing and advancing NEMA’s long-term global strategy. The Senior Director will provide subject matter expertise in international trade and related global supply chain issues and advocate and advance NEMA’s policy priorities in domestic and international forums. The Senior Director will oversee and work to advance NEMA’s sectoral approach to trade policy, focusing on electroindustry priorities and navigating a dynamic and unpredictable trade environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Enhance and execute NEMA’s international strategy and services for NEMA members, partnering collaboratively with internal stakeholders and leveraging external relationships to create a favorable, sustainable international business environment.
• Provide thought leadership and member management on internationally focused member services in areas such as U.S. trade policy, international standards setting, compliance with import, export, and international treaty rules and requirements, as well as emerging issues for the electroindustry internationally.
• Advocate and advance NEMA’s interests in the implementation of key laws and regulations, both foreign and domestic, critical to the electroindustry’s global market competitiveness.

The Senior Director, Global Policy:

• Monitors, analyzes, and tracks federal legislative developments related to NEMA’s trade policy priorities
• Prepares timely updates, alerts, and summaries to keep members informed of relevant developments
• Leads members in establishing NEMA policies, positions, and advocacy objectives with regard to international affairs
• Leads development and implementation of legislative strategies, including involving member company representatives
• Analyzes, summarizes, and presents electroindustry trade flow data in concert with NEMA’s Business Intelligence Unit
• Leads implementation of NEMA’s sectoral trade policy approach, underwritten and supported by objective data analysis of electroindustry trade flows
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and coalition partners
• Engages with Congress and U.S. government agencies overseeing international trade policy issues
• Leverages a deep and wide network of contacts to stay informed about current and future global issues affecting the electroindustry
• Partners closely with the Technical & Industry Affairs team on international standards and works across NEMA to address foreign regulatory issues
• Demonstrates thought leadership in global trade policy, including trade flows, geopolitical risk, import/export and sanctions compliance (ITAR, EAR, OFAC), trade remedy actions, foreign trade zones, and trade missions
• Works with NEMA’s Government Relations team to advocate for near-term priorities shaped by Executive Actions, statutory mandates, and federal trade negotiations
• Manages NEMA’s trade consultant and collaborates closely with NEMA’s affiliate in Mexico

Experience, Attributes & Qualifications

• At least ten years of international trade and policy experience with the U.S. government, a global company or association, or a combination of experience demonstrating depth in international business, industry-government collaboration, and global policy advocacy
• Executive presence to represent NEMA in global forums, board rooms, U.S. agencies, and member organization meetings
• Proven success in sensitive negotiations, coalition building, and diplomacy to advance international strategy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience analyzing, compiling, and presenting trade data to support policy advocacy
• Proven problem-solving skills with a self-starter attitude
• Strong focus on exceeding goals to increase growth and member value
• Strategic thinking combined with a willingness to tactically implement strategies
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work in a matrixed team environment
• Outgoing, relationship-oriented, and agile in dynamic, fast-paced situations
• Strong conceptual thinker able to connect ideas to long-term impacts

This position reports to the Managing Director, Government Relations. It is based in Arlington, VA with a hybrid work schedule. International travel is required for NEMA meetings, stakeholder development, and member engagement.

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, a 401(k) plan, health and dental insurance, and a partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy. Veterans are encouraged to apply. EOE/M/F/V/D.

Interested candidates should apply at NEMA CAREERS

Apply Here