Senior Director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs

About Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI)

CMI is the national trade association of the metal can manufacturing industry and its suppliers in the United States. The can industry accounts for the annual domestic production of approximately 135 billion food, beverage, aerosol, and general line cans; employs more than 28,000 people with plants in 33 states, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa; and generates about $15.7 billion in direct economic activity. CMI members include steel and aluminum food, beverage, aerosol, and decorative can manufacturers plus aluminum, steel, lining, and ink suppliers. The small-staff trade association of five individuals manages programs for the benefit of the industry, mostly on trade, sustainability, and product stewardship. CMI staff work closely with the members to promote and protect the metal can industry, which provides the safest, highest-quality, and most sustainable packaging.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs serves as CMI’s chief federal lobbyist and regulatory affairs lead, representing the metal can industry before Congress, federal agencies, and allied stakeholders. This senior-level position for an experienced federal advocate is responsible for developing and executing effective legislative and regulatory strategies that support the association’s mission and policy objectives. In addition to advocacy work, the Senior Director provides strategic guidance and staff leadership to the association’s technical and regulatory committees.

Advocacy is a key activity at CMI. This critical position requires understanding the broad policy implications of legislation, policy decisions, and regulatory actions, and how CMI’s resources can be deployed to influence outcomes and advantage the metal can industry. Understanding political dynamics and the process of administrative and congressional actions is essential for CMI to create leverage points and positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Federal Government Relations (65%)

• Lead CMI’s federal advocacy efforts, focusing on chemicals, energy, recycling, sustainability, tax, trade, and related policy areas
• Represent the can manufacturing industry before Congress, federal agencies, and key stakeholders
• Develop and execute government relations strategies to elevate CMI’s presence and influence with a focus on developing long-term legislative champions, as well as advance industry priorities
• Build and maintain relationships between CMI and allies, partners, and key federal government stakeholders, including Members of Congress, congressional staff, and committees
• Draft policy briefs, position statements, testimony, comment letters, and legislative proposals
• Coordinate opportunities for CMI members and staff to engage with and influence Administration and Congressional lawmakers, including via direct meetings and fundraising
• Manage contract lobbyists, public relations firms, and other outside members of the team that support CMI’s federal advocacy efforts

Regulatory Affairs (25%)

• Collaborate with CMI’s technical consultant to monitor for regulatory developments affecting the can industry, prepare and submit regulatory comments, keep members aware of key regulatory actions, and proactively collect and disseminate information to influence regulatory actions for the benefit of the can industry
• Serve as the association’s point person for engagement with key federal agencies (e.g., EPA, FDA, DOE, OSHA, DOC)

Committee Management (10%)

• Staff CMI’s technical committees such that meetings are scheduled and effectively run, member questions and needs are appropriately addressed, and relationships between CMI and its members are strengthened

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of five years’ experience working in senior-level positions in government relations, regulatory affairs, or public policy. Experience working on Capitol Hill and/or for a federal agency is highly desired.

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process.
• Knowledge on trade, energy, sustainability, recycling, chemicals, or tax is a plus.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies that create political momentum on issues of importance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Adaptive and collaborative—essential in a small-staff association team
• Strategic thinker with strong political instincts and policy analysis capabilities
• Skilled in building consensus and maintaining relationships with policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and working independently

Why Join Us

• Lead the charge for a historic industry providing critical goods on high-profile policy issues that matter for the economy and the environment
• Work directly with senior industry leaders who are shaping the future of packaging
• Join a collaborative, high-energy, small but mighty team where your expertise and initiative are valued, you have the freedom to act nimbly, and your growth is supported
• Competitive salary and benefits with flexible hybrid work

Travel

Occasional domestic travel (10-20%) required for advocacy meetings, conferences, and member engagement.

Compensation

Range of $140,000-$225,000 plus benefits such as retirement, long-term disability insurance, health insurance, telephone stipend, professional development, and PTO plus all federal holidays.

To Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and optional cover letter to [email protected] outlining relevant experience and interest in the position. CMI is an equal opportunity employer.