Director, Federal Affairs

Consumer Brands Association; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Consumer Brands Association is seeking a Director of Federal Affairs to drive the federal policy strategy on recycling infrastructure, labeling standards, and solid waste management. You will work with Congress, EPA, FTC, and other agencies to translate complex policy into actionable guidance for member companies.

The role requires deep knowledge of federal environmental and packaging policy, established Capitol Hill relationships, and the ability to craft strategic narratives for diverse

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required.
• 7–9 years of direct experience with Congress, EPA, FTC or similar agencies on packaging, recycling, environmental or sustainability policy.
• Experience with Senate Commerce Committee or House Energy and Commerce Committee preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years in a related field such as environmental policy, packaging sustainability, recycling infrastructure, or waste management.
• Track record of results in government, association and/or political environments.
• Advocacy or public affairs campaign experience preferred; congressional office or federal/state agency experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of policy strategies related to recycling technology and infrastructure, labeling and waste management with federal agencies.
• Advocate for policy positions impacting consumer packaged goods with the U.S. government.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Congress, federal regulators, and allied trade associations.
• Develop proactive policy positions and response plans to regulatory shifts.
• Track federal implications of state packaging policies to inform federal strategy.
• Maintain knowledge of legislative/regulatory frameworks impacting recycling in consumer products.
• Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs, Legal, and Communications to shape policy positions and draft materials.
• Act as liaison to member companies for recycling issues and updates on legislation and advocacy actions.
• Engage with member businesses to build cross-industry support and cohesive policy approaches.
• Represent the association in industry coalitions and public forums to articulate policy positions.
• Monitor and assess federal legislation, regulations, and emerging policies (e.g., EPR, recycled content mandates).
• Provide research, data, and issue information to staff, members, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Federal Affairs team to advocate for all priority policies.

Skills

Policy development

Regulatory affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Congress liaison

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Description

Position Overview: The Director of Federal Affairs will drive Consumer Brands’ federal policy strategy on issues including recycling infrastructure and technology, packaging labeling and design standards, and solid waste management. The director will work closely with Congress, EPA, FTC, and other federal agencies to advance the association’s positions, while serving as a trusted resource to member companies navigating a rapidly evolving policy landscape. This role requires someone who can operate at the intersection of policy, politics, and industry. The ideal candidate brings familiarity with federal environmental and packaging policy, established relationships on Capitol Hill and with relevant agencies, and the ability to translate complex regulatory developments into clear strategic guidance for members.

Key areas of responsibility (Advocacy, Stakeholder and Member Engagement, and Issue Expertise):

• Lead the development and execution of policy strategies related to recycling technology and infrastructure, labeling and waste management, including interactions with federal and state agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Trade Commission.
• Advocate for policy positions impacting consumer packaged goods manufacturers with the U.S. government, including Capitol Hill advocacy aligned with Consumer Brands’ objectives.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Congress, federal regulators, and allied trade associations to build strategic support for policy initiatives.
• Develop proactive policy positions and industry response plans in anticipation of regulatory shifts, ensuring the organization is monitoring, identifying, and communicating trends or policy developments impacting the industry.
• Track and assess the federal implications of state-level packaging policies to ensure Consumer Brands’ federal strategy accounts for the full policy landscape.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory frameworks and other policies impacting recycling in consumer products and packaging.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Regulatory Affairs, Legal, and Communications, to shape and promote policy positions, draft legislative materials, and develop compelling internal and external narratives.
• Act as the liaison to member companies for recycling issues, providing updates on emerging legislation, administrative or Congressional actions and advocacy initiatives.
• Engage with member businesses to build cross-industry support and coordinate cohesive policy approaches.
• Represent the organization in industry coalitions and public forums, effectively articulating Consumer Brands’ policy positions.
• Monitor and assess federal legislation, regulations, and emerging policies, such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, recycled content mandates, and packaging sustainability requirements, to ensure proactive strategy development.
• Provide research, data, and issue-related information to staff, members, and stakeholders through reports, briefing materials, and presentations.
• Collaborate with Federal Affairs team to ensure thorough advocacy for all other federal policy priorities.
• Advocate for practical, science-based packaging and recycling policies that balance regulatory goals with the operational realities of consumer packaged goods manufacturers.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Experience & Education

• A minimum of a BA/BS degree is required.
• 7-9 years of direct experience working with Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, and/or other federal and state agencies on packaging, recycling, environmental, or sustainability policy issues, is required.
• Experience working with Senate Commerce Committee or House Energy and Commerce Committee preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of related employment required in a relevant field such as environmental policy, packaging sustainability, recycling infrastructure, or waste management.
• A track record of demonstrated results in government, association and/or political environments.
• Advocacy or public affairs campaign experience preferred. Congressional office or federal/state agency experience a plus.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state packaging, recycling, and environmental regulations pertinent to consumer packaged goods is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on collaboration, customer service, and relationship building.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to translate complex concepts for various audiences.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
• Passion for learning issues, building strategy and tactics, and executing against a plan and driving results.
• Advanced public speaking skills and the presence/confidence to represent the association and its position(s) to external stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in Office 365 Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for report generation, data analysis and presentations.
• Flexibility in learning new software and/or computer/technical applications.
• Ability to work on cross-functional teams.