Senior Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs

The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) is the leading voice and advocate for the aggregates industry. Our members – stone, sand and gravel producers and the equipment manufacturers and service providers who support them – are responsible for the essential raw materials found in every home, building, road, bridge and public works project and represent more than 90 percent of the crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel produced annually in the United States. In 2024, U.S. domestic production and use of construction aggregates amounted to 2.38 billion tons of crushed stone, sand and gravel–valued at $39.8 billion. The aggregates industry employs approximately 100,000 highly-skilled men and women. 

With expanding Washington involvement in our industry, forming relationships and engaging with public officials and policymakers is critical to helping our members understand policies and regulations, and provide advice and guidance to help shape them.  

Position Summary  

The Senior Vice President, GARA leads the Association’s advocacy efforts, devising a high-impact policy agenda that delivers measurable and favorable outcomes to members through legislative and regulatory processes at all levels of government, and through other initiatives that advance the interests of the aggregates industry. This position will report to the President/CEO, working around Washington, DC with a flexible and fast paced schedule. 

The SVP, GARA serves as a key member of NSSGA’s executive leadership team and provides strategic advice to the President. This position is responsible for leading advocacy strategy development, defining advocacy priorities and objectives as well as managing a team of individuals who will help in achieving these goals. You would build, own and manage relationships with NSSGA members, senior leaders of governmental agencies and members of Congress.  This is a highly visible position, requiring a deep congressional rolodex and excellent public speaking and writing skills.  

Key Position Responsibilities

Advocacy Strategy & Policy Leadership

·      Establish the vision, strategy, and tactics for delivering high-impact advocacy wins for NSSGA members.

·      Promote and defend the interests of NSSGA members on infrastructure, safety and health, tax, appropriations, environment, natural resources, workforce, and other issues important to the industry.

·      Analyze and advance policy positions by evaluating relevant legislation and regulations and developing strategic position papers on priority issues.

·      Oversee all aspects of NSSGA’s government affairs, including legislative strategy at the federal level, in close coordination with the President, Officers, Executive Committee, NSSGA committees, and other key audiences.

Government & Regulatory Engagement

·      Lead and maintain engagement with policymakers and regulators, including developing and sustaining high-level bipartisan relationships with members of Congress, their staffs, and federal agency officials.

·      Facilitate meetings and engagements between association members and policymakers on key industry issues.

·      Develop strategy for and execute NSSGA’s annual fly-in, including more than 300 engagements with members of Congress.

·      Serve as the public-facing leader and spokesperson for the aggregates industry on federal policy matters.

Coalition Building, Grassroots & Political Engagement

·      Build effective grassroots and grasstops networks to mobilize in support of NSSGA’s advocacy priorities.

·      Collaborate, coordinate, and build coalitions with peer associations and like-minded organizations to advance NSSGA’s goals.

·      Oversee the development and operation of NSSGA’s Political Action Committee (ROCKPAC), including donor engagement and expansion, analytics and goal setting, budgeting, financial and data management, and reporting.

·      Work with the Political Action Committee to advise political strategy in support of policy outcomes.

Member, Committee & Stakeholder Coordination

·      Coordinate advocacy activities with association members’ government affairs teams and respond to member inquiries on policy issues.

·      Oversee the Director, GARA in supporting the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee, which approves NSSGA’s legislative agenda.

·      Maintain strong relationships with NSSGA Officers, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors.

·      Present and participate in monthly Officers’ meetings, Executive Committee meetings, and Board meetings.

·      Present policy updates and demonstrate the value of the association to individual member companies, state associations, current members, and prospective members.

Communications, Events & Public Presence

·      Approve and finalize member communications, grassroots alerts, press statements, and advocacy messaging related to assigned issue areas.

·      Approve and finalize the bi-weekly Washington Report and coordinate content for Week Ahead, magazine articles, and communications to Capitol Hill.

·      Draft presentations and speak at dozens of meetings annually to provide policy updates and highlight the value of NSSGA to members and prospective members.

·      Work closely with meetings and events teams to develop advocacy-related content and presentations for the annual meeting, young leaders event, and other association gatherings.

Operations, Management & Oversight

·      Lead and manage a team of 8 full-time staff, fostering accountability and performance.

·      Manage outside consultants supporting policy development, regulatory comments, strategy and congressional outreach.

·      Manage the NSSGA government affairs and occupational health budget, totaling nearly $2 million.

·      Oversee Steering Committee functions related to occupational health, including Legal and Policy Group activities and the Science Advisory Board.

·      Coordinate with the regulatory team and Legal Affairs Committee on legal and regulatory issues affecting the industry.

·      Assess and organize NSSGA’s software platforms to effectively monitor federal, state, and municipal legislative and regulatory activity.

·      As a member of the senior leadership team, collaborate with other department heads and the President to implement NSSGA’s strategic plan and organization-wide objectives.

Requirements

·      BA/BS degree in political science, public policy, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; MBA, CAE, or other management credentials preferred.

·      12+ years of public policy experience, preferably at the federal level, including association, consulting, Capitol Hill, and/or federal agency experience.

·      Demonstrated knowledge of Capitol Hill and deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory process, particularly related to infrastructure and natural resources.

·      Proven leadership experience in roles of increasing responsibility and visibility.

·      Strong record of legislative and regulatory success.

·      Mastery of issues important to member companies and ability to navigate and resolve competing member priorities.

·      Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legislative initiatives into clear, actionable messaging.

·      Robust presentation skills for audiences ranging from senior government officials to industry members and boards.

·      Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively represent the association to members, partners, public policy forums, and media.

·      Demonstrated management skills, including the ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and balance multiple priorities simultaneously.

·      Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style with a commitment to organizational success.

·      Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time, including frequent overnight and weekend travel.

·      Annual compensation: $200,000 - $250,000

Please provide resume and cover letter to hr@nssga.org. Located in Alexandria, VA, NSSGA provides a supportive work environment, excellent benefits and competitive compensation. NSSGA is currently on a hybrid schedule of 2 days a week in the office.

NSSGA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.