Manager, Government Affairs

This is a great opportunity to do substantive advocacy work and advance an industry that supports economic growth and job creation and makes essential paper and wood products that Americans use every day!

As part of a collaborative team, you’ll use strategic and critical thinking skills to advocate for member interests and move the industry forward. You’ll have an opportunity to build upon existing federal legislative experience, develop new expertise, manage a portfolio, and be in the thick of high-profile issues (i.e., energy, transportation and manufacturing).

The below description provides more detail on American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), this important role and how you will impact the industry.

Essential job functions:

• Develop, coordinate and implement advocacy strategies to achieve industry policy positions
• Analyze, report on, and respond to assigned legislative and regulatory initiatives
• Build and maintain relationships with key congressional members and staff 
• Ensure AF&PA legislative goals are coordinated with other AF&PA departments and related industry groups, including coalition engagement  
• Represent AF&PA to outside audiences, organizations and strategic alliances through meetings and attending political events
• Maintain relationships and coordinate with outside interest groups in coalitions on shared federal legislative goals, leading where appropriate
• Develop educational opportunities for federal legislators and their staff that serve to highlight the industry accomplishments 
• Write letters, testimony and various association member communications
• Manage policy committees for the industry, and monitor/engage on issues facing the industry. This includes developing and implementing budgets, running meetings, coordinating member input on key issues, and developing advocacy strategies
• Serve on internal issue teams; manage, plan, and run meetings on relevant issue topics affecting the association
• As a registered federal lobbyist, ensure all actions demonstrate the highest level of compliance and ethical standards

Qualifications:

If your knowledge, skills and abilities are transferrable and you think you’re a great candidate for AF&PA - please consider applying even if you do not meet all the criteria listed below.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in one of the social or agricultural sciences 
• Five or more years of experience in one or more of the following environments: Capitol Hill legislative staff, government affairs office for a trade association, lobbying firm, policy staff/political campaigns
• Working knowledge of the federal legislative process required
• Excellent communication skills in writing, editing and public presentation
• Strong organizational and project management skills to effectively balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and research skills
• Ability to produce high quality work within tight deadlines
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and present statistical data
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion with integrity, initiative and limited supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and exercise discretion in sensitive AF&PA matters and on policy and market issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to maintain positive rapport with co-workers in a collaborative, diverse environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Understanding of environment, energy, forest product industry or other manufacturing sector is a plus

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to be between $94,000-$110,000. This is a good-faith estimate based on market data for comparable positions and the current budgeted amount for this role. Factors to be considered when determining the salary of the selected candidate include relevant skills, experience and knowledge, and the alignment of these qualities with those of existing staff.

We offer a generous benefits package that currently includes:

• Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year (based on relevant experience), plus holidays and paid Parental Leave
• 94%-80% paid CareFirst medical plans for employees and their families
• Generous 401(k) retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution (after waiting period)
• Free fitness center and pickleball courts at the DC office location
• Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account...

Location:

We are located on 13th Street, NW between F and G, (directly above Metro Center Station). Our office is hybrid, which includes up to two days of remote work; however, due to the nature of the work in federal government affairs, we suspect the person hired may frequently spend more than three days a week on the Hill and in the DC office.

Working at AF&PA:

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) values diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invites all talented individuals to apply to be part of our team and support our culture and mission. We encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas and different perspectives to reach our goals and we support work/life balance.

About AF&PA

AF&PA serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on X @ForestandPaper. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

AF&PA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcomes all talented individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Your Rights

Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. Information may be found on the Department of Labor’s website (https://www.dol.gov) as well as through these available notices: Know Your Rights; Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).