The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is seeking a Managing Director, Government Relations.

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.

Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, NEMA’s mission is to accelerate and create an environment in which the all-electric economy will thrive. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association engages in advocacy on public policy issues important to those industries, develops performance and other Standards in the electrical and medical imaging industries, and provides economic reports and analytical products to assist Member companies with business decisions. NEMA is an ANSI-accredited standards development organization.

The Managing Director – Government Relations is responsible for developing, directing, and managing NEMA government relations and advocacy activities in a manner that meets NEMA mission goals and strategic objectives.

This position reports directly to the SVP, Public Affairs. The position is located at NEMA’s headquarters in Arlington, VA, allows for a hybrid work schedule, and may travel up to approximately 20 percent of time.

Key Responsibilities

Accountable for leading outcome-based advocacy team efforts at Federal and State levels

• Lead development and implementation of legislative and regulatory strategies to involve Member company representatives
• Form and direct coalitions to achieve assigned objectives by teaming with other trade associations and/or professional organizations
• Represent the association at Federal and State activities with legislators, regulators, other stakeholders and media
• Collaborate with NEMA Communications to develop effective communications and media plans that effectively advance advocacy goals and NEMA mission

Manage and direct government relations team

• Provide coaching, staff development support, and evaluation of government relations staff team members
• Develop and deploy measurement and metrics in government relations and advocacy work
• Manage, and evaluate outside consultants to support advocacy work at federal and state levels including full compliance with federal and state lobbying rules and registration requirements

Lead Policy Development Through Collaborative Efforts

• Foster and maintain key relationships with executive branch officials, members of Congress, regulators, state officials, and staff
• Contribute to NEMA strategic planning and coordination efforts in a matrix environment
• Organize and manage grassroots efforts that include organizing visits by legislators to Member company facilities

Grow and expand the PAC in consultation with the NEMA Board of Governors and PAC Board of Directors

• Perform PAC outreach to Member company executives and other eligible PAC contributors, including NEMA staff
• Ensure compliance of PAC operations with Federal Elections Commission regulations and rules

Experience and Qualifications

• 10 years or more of experience in government relations, public affairs, or equivalent
• Undergraduate degree is required, graduate degree is desirable
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes
• Strong relationship builder with executive presence, ability to use policy-making and regulatory processes in support of NEMA’s mission and goals
• Trade association experience desirable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to persuasively advocate in private and public settings
• Innovative thinker and leader, individually proactive and outcome-oriented, and a team builder and coach
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, multidiscipline environment with challenging timeliness for multiple projects occurring simultaneously

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health/dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. EOE/M/F/V/D.