The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is seeking a 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. 

The Director, Government Relations will focus on tax, environment, energy efficiency, and domestic manufacturing policy as it pertains to the electro industry and related electrical technology issues primarily at the federal level. The position involves working closely with association Member executives; evaluating implications of legislative initiatives; and developing and advocating policy positions that benefit the industry. Activities include interacting with legislative/regulatory staff and elected officials, preparing memoranda, talking points, position papers and comments, covering hearings/markups, representing NEMA and its members in various forums, and implementing advocacy strategies that achieve Member objectives.  

The position reports to the Managing Director, Government Relations. The position is located in Arlington (Rosslyn), Virginia and includes some domestic travel. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Accountable for managing outcome-based advocacy efforts at the federal level

• Monitor, analyze, and track federal legislative developments relevant to NEMA’s priorities
• Environmental policy, including but not limited to chemical and critical materials issues
• Energy efficiency, climate, and other sustainability policy issues
• Tax policy relevant to electrical manufacturing and energy generation, transmission, and distribution 
• Prepare timely updates, alerts, and summaries to keep members informed of relevant developments
• Lead development and implementation of legislative strategies to include involving Member company representatives
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and coalition partners
• Form and direct coalitions to achieve assigned objectives by teaming with other trade associations and/or professional organizations
• Represent the association at Federal activities with legislators, regulators, other stakeholders
• Develop and manage persistent lines of communications with stakeholders and collaborate with Member company representatives Working with the NEMA Communications team, develop communications and media plans that effectively advance advocacy goals

2. Stakeholder and Member Engagement

• Serve as a point of contact for member companies on tax and environmental policy matters
• Organize and manage grassroots efforts that include organizing Capitol Hill meetings, “Fly-ins”, and visits by legislators to Member company facilities
• Develop innovative ways to create Member-based efforts to influence pending rules and legislation
• Assist with member education efforts, including webinars, toolkits, and briefings

3. Collaborate with colleagues in NEMA’s matrix-based operating model to deliver integrated solutions to members and other industry stakeholders, with a close partnership with the Regulatory and Industry Affairs team. Participate in industry sector leadership meetings and contribute to sector strategies. 

Experience and Qualifications 

• Minimum of eight years of experience, with at least five to seven years of experience on Capitol Hill preferred
• Undergraduate degree required in political science, public policy, or related fields – advanced degree a plus
• Demonstrated success in achieving outcomes, preferably in legislative processes, with a particular emphasis on tax-related legislation or tax and environmental policy issues
• General knowledge of the electric sector and manufacturing challenges a plus
• Strong relationship builder with ability to meet goals in policy-making processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to persuasively advocate in private and public settings at all times displaying executive presence
• Innovative thinker and leader who is individually proactive, outcome-oriented, and a team builder/player 
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment with challenging timelines for multiple projects occurring simultaneously
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn Capitol Hill ethics requirements and programs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other legislative/issues tracking software

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.

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.

The Senior Director will 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 in emerging issues for the electroindustry internationally. The Senior Director will 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 to include involving member company representatives.
• Analyzes, summarizes, and presents on electroindustry trade flow data in concert with NEMA’s Business Intelligence Unit.
• Leads implementation of NEMA’s sectoral trade policy approach which is 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 US government agencies overseeing international trade policy issues.
• Leverages a deep and wide network of contacts to keep informed about current and future global issues affecting the electroindustry.
• Partners closely with Technical & Industry Affairs team on international standards and works across NEMA to address foreign regulatory issues.
• Demonstrates thought leadership in the areas of global trade policy, which could include electroindustry trade flows, geopolitical risk, import/export and sanctions compliance (ITAR, EAR, and OFAC), trade remedy actions, foreign trade zones, and trade missions.
• Works with NEMA’s Government Relations team to advocate for NEMA’s    near-term priorities shaped by Executive Actions, statutory mandates, and trade policy negotiations at the federal level.  
• Manages NEMA’s trade consultant and works closely with our affiliate in Mexico.
  

Experience, Attributes & Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have at least ten years of previous international trade and policy experience with US government, global company or association, or a combination of experience demonstrating depth and breadth of experience and expertise in international business and trade, industry-government collaboration, and advocacy in the global policy and regulatory arena. Must have the executive presence to represent NEMA in global forums, board rooms, US government agencies, and with executive representatives from member organizations. Demonstrated track record of success in navigating/facilitating sensitive negotiations, building coalitions, and exercising diplomacy to advance NEMA’s international strategy.

• Must have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must have experience analyzing, compiling, and presenting trade data to inform and advance policy advocacy goals.
• Proven problem-solving skills with a self-starting mindset.
• Ambitious and relentless focus on meeting and exceeding goals in order to accelerate positive impact on growth and member value.
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to think strategically and ‘roll up your sleeves’ to tactically implement effective strategies.
• Works collaboratively across departments to execute on the strategic goals set by the organization and is adept at working in a matrixed operating model that emphasizes team-based approaches to advancing NEMA’s goals and addressing challenges on behalf of member and the electroindustry.
• Projects an outgoing orientation to building effective, trusted relationships. Applies a positive mindset as a solution-seeker, and has a track record of demonstrating agility in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Strong conceptual thinking skills particularly in connecting ideas and impacts to project and anticipate longer-term implications and impacts of near-term actions.
  

This position reports to the Managing Director, Government Relations. This position is based in Arlington, VA with provisions for a hybrid work-schedule. The position includes international travel for NEMA meetings, stakeholder development and member engagement.

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

Interested candidates should apply at NEMA CAREERS