Manager, Government Affairs

This is a great opportunity to develop lobbying experience, develop expertise, and manage a portfolio of legislative initiatives. In this role you’ll use strategic and critical thinking skills, and your ideas will be valued. Your hard work can advance positive change for an industry and help broaden the use of safe and sustainable wood products in the built environment.

Based in Washington, DC, you will be an advocate for member interests, manage AWC’s state and local political engagement nationwide, and support AWC’s government affairs portfolio. You will also coordinate the association’s state lobbying efforts with the overall policy goals of our members.

This great position exists to grow our government affairs team. We plan to conduct interviews from October until as late as early December. Ideally, the selected person will begin the first of the year.

The below description provides more detail on American Wood Council (AWC), this important role and how you will impact the industry.

Working at AWC:

The team at AWC is welcoming of all backgrounds and abilities. They are talented professionals who celebrate differences, support each other, and exchange knowledge and ideas across departments and states. They also care about each other’s health and happiness and strive for work-life balance while successfully serving our members.

Essential job functions:

• Advocate for member interests nationwide by tracking, analyzing, and reporting on state legislative activities
• Coordinate with AWC staff, including the VP, Government Affairs, VP, Codes and Standards, and VP, Sustainability, to develop and implement state and local response to pertinent issues
• Identify areas of opportunity to insert AWC priorities into state and local legislative initiatives
• Manage state contract lobbyists and other outside consultants as directed

• Conduct targeted advocacy initiatives related to policy issues
• Write supporting documents and distribute information to state and local elected officials
• Conduct outreach with member companies, forestry groups, and other organizations to mobilize advocacy efforts
• Provide support to Vice President, Government Affairs, including all aspects of department administration
• Attend and report on meetings and hearings with various legislative and regulatory bodies
• Support federal advocacy work, including drafting talking points, one-pagers, handouts, scheduling and participating in advocacy meetings as assigned.
• Other relevant duties as assigned by the VP of Government Affairs

Qualifications:

Not all great candidates will meet all the criteria listed below. If your knowledge, skills and abilities are transferrable and you think you’re a great candidate for AWC - please consider applying.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of three years related experience required
• State advocacy experience or similar experience preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to maintain positive rapport in a collaborative and diverse environment

Success Factors:

To be successful in this position, the individual must be a motivated, self-starter, with experience supporting projects from conception to completion; the ability to quickly learn new tools and technologies; interest and experience in using technology to improve work efficiency; and respect for complete confidentiality on all business matters. Qualified candidates must have excellent written and oral communication and editing skills. The candidate also must be able to work independently and must have the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment regarding matters of significance and complete tasks in a timely manner both independently and collaboratively. This position requires the proven ability to multitask and prioritize projects/responsibilities, and maintain poise, focus, consistency, and accuracy under the pressure of multiple deadlines.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to be between $75,000-$90,000. 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.

AWC offers a generous benefits package which current includes:

• Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year, plus holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Four Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans options (AWC pays between 100%-85% for you and your family members)
• Generous retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution after waiting period
• Free access to a fitness center
• Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account...

Location:

This is a hybrid work environment. The individual may spend time working from their home and our office. Our current location is at 11th and K NW, and we will be moving in December to 13th and G, NW (above Metro Station).

About Us

AWC partners in the development of sound policies, codes, and regulations that allow for the appropriate and responsible manufacture and use of wood products in our built environment. We represent an industry that provides more than 450,000 men and women in the United States with family-wage jobs. We are a leader in developing engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products. We are committed to ensuring their safe and efficient application, and educating about wood design, green building policy, and resiliency. We maintain an active presence on behalf of industry interests and advocate for balanced policies that impact wood products.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The American Wood Council (AWC) supports equal opportunity employment and is proud to work with employees of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). AF&PA and AWC welcome all people regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status or other category protected by law.