Director, Federal Government Affairs

The Director of Federal Government Affairs serves as PLASTICS’ lead advocate before Congress and the Executive Branch, advancing the association’s priorities across key policy areas including manufacturing, energy, chemicals, trade, tax, environment, and sustainability.

Responsibilities:

• Promotes the plastics industry’s agenda through direct lobbying of Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch to ensure sound policies for innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
• Consistently builds, maintains, and enhances relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and administration, and regulatory officials to influence outcomes of government activities impacting the U.S. plastics industry.
• Advises members on the impact of policy initiatives in Congress and the federal government and assists in members’ understanding of compliance rules.
• Assists in the strategic development of PLASTICS’ positions on federal legislation and proposed rules and guidance.
• Represents PLASTICS’ on industry and issue-based coalitions and other stakeholder groups to make sure our voice and positions are heard.
• In concert with the Government Affairs teams, manages aspects of the Plastics Industry Fly-In to produce an effective in-person lobbying event for members to interact with Members of Congress.
• Works to engage members in advocacy so that Members of Congress can interact directly with their constituents in the plastics industry such as deploying grassroots resources when legislative activity warrants industry action and coordinating plant tours for Members of Congress to visit member companies’ facilities.
• Oversees PLASTICS’ Political Action Committee (PAC) with support from the Vice President of Government Affairs, developing and executing annual plans to grow member participation, strengthen engagement, and strategically direct disbursements to key candidates.
• Ensures full compliance with all federal lobbying disclosure requirements and Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations governing PAC operations and political activity.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in politics, government affairs, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in a similar or related position in government affairs, encompassing both direct lobbying and grassroots advocacy; experience in government representing corporations or associations on a variety of policy issues; Capitol Hill, Executive Branch, trade-association, lobbying firm, corporate or plastic industry experience required.
• Experience cultivating relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience in political fundraising.
• Experience with the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee on issues such as sustainability, recycling, energy, and materials policy.
• Experience managing a federal political action committee (PAC) and filing lobbying disclosure acts (LDA).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, judgment, and accountability—serving as a trusted representative of PLASTICS in high-profile policy, political, and member-facing environments.
• Understanding of the legislation and regulatory processes, the role of lobbying and grassroots mobilization, and federal compliance for political action committees.
• Excellent written and verbal communication including presentation skills with diverse stakeholder audience.
• Self-motivated with attention to detail and excellent analytical, strategic, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work well autonomously and collectively to build consensus amongst internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and work on various projects simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results.
• An earnest work ethic and dedication to the organization's success in service of our membership.
• A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with colleagues from multiple backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a commitment to embody and uphold PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation in all interactions and responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel (<15%).

About PLASTICS

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain. We are proud to represent the nearly one million people who are employed by companies in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team, striving for growth and success. Together we shape the direction of the entire plastics industry and as a job requirement, have some fun while doing so. Employees have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We also encourage volunteerism. As a team we seek opportunities to improve the communities in which we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups.

We offer generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, well-being, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, competitive salaries, and work from home flexibility. We work hard, we play hard, and we value a work-life balance! In fact, we offer unlimited paid time off, and employees take personal time off at their own discretion.

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, or any factor prohibited by applicable law.