Director, Government Relations

Society of Chemical Manufacturing Affliates; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SOCMA in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area seeks a seasoned Government Relations professional to monitor federal and state policy developments affecting the specialty chemical industry and to develop proactive advocacy materials.

The role builds relationships with Members of Congress, agencies, coalitions, and industry stakeholders in a hybrid setup. The candidate will draft letters and testimony, provide timely policy analysis, and coordinate fly-ins and events, delivering strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, chemistry, environmental policy, engineering, or communications.
• Minimum of six years of government relations experience in Congress, a federal or state agency, or related public policy role.
• Experience with chemical manufacturing, environmental, trade, or regulatory policy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and analyzes federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy developments impacting the specialty chemical industry.
• Drafts comment letters, statements, testimony, policy papers, briefing materials, and advocacy materials.
• Develops policy recommendations and advocacy materials supporting SOCMA's government relations priorities.
• Builds relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, agencies, coalitions, and industry stakeholders.
• Represents SOCMA before Congress, federal and state agencies, coalition partners, conferences, and events.
• Provides timely policy updates and recommendations to SOCMA leadership and members.
• Works with SOCMA members and committees to identify policy priorities and advocacy strategies.
• Helps plan congressional fly-ins, state advocacy initiatives, and member briefings and events.
• Collaborates to develop government relations content for newsletters, website updates, and presentations.
• Supports SOCMA meetings by preparing agendas and materials and following up on action items.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Legislative processes

Written communication

Public policy

Education

Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, chemistry, environmental policy, engineering, communications

Minimum of six years of experience in government relations

Experience in chemical manufacturing or environmental policy preferred

Job description

Description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors and analyzes federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy developments impacting the specialty chemical industry.
• Drafts comment letters, statements, testimony, policy papers, briefing materials, presentations, advocacy materials, and responses to legislation and regulation.
• Develops policy recommendations and advocacy materials supporting SOCMA's government relations priorities.
• Builds and maintains relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agencies, state officials, coalition partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Represents and advocates on behalf of SOCMA before
• Congress, federal agencies, state agencies, coalition partners, conferences, and industry events.
• Provides timely policy updates, analysis, and recommendations to SOCMA leadership, members, committees, and working groups.
• Works closely with SOCMA members, committees, and working groups to identify policy priorities and develop advocacy strategies at both the federal and state levels.
• Helps plan and execute congressional fly-ins, state advocacy initiatives, member briefings, webinars, and advocacy events.
• Collaborates across the organization to develop government relations content for newsletters, website updates, member communications, presentations, and other advocacy materials.
• Supports the planning and execution of SOCMA committee and working group meetings by preparing agendas and meeting materials, facilitating discussions, and following through on action items.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process.
• Knowledge of federal or state environmental, chemical manufacturing, trade, or industrial policy, with the ability and desire to develop expertise across the full range of issues affecting the specialty chemical industry.
• Ability to communicate complex policy and regulatory issues to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively collaborate with members, policymakers, coalition partners, and other departments.
• High level of organization and attention to detail.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and a desire for continuous professional growth.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative approach to achieving organizational goals.
• Commitment to providing exceptional service to SOCMA members.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, chemistry, environmental policy, engineering, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in government relations, Congress, a federal or state agency, or a related public policy position.
• Experience working on chemical manufacturing, environmental, trade, industrial, or regulatory policy strongly preferred.
• Experience engaging with Congress, federal agencies, state governments, or industry stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in federal advocacy, with a willingness to support and develop expertise in state advocacy.
• Position is based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. While SOCMA offers a hybrid work environment, this role requires regular in-office collaboration and frequent external meetings with policymakers, regulators, coalition partners, and industry stakeholders.

PHYISCAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in a professional office environment and use standard office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to attend meetings at SOCMA headquarters, Capitol Hill, federal and state agencies, and other locations throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
• Ability to travel, as needed.