Summary: The National Pork Producers Council’s Vice President of Domestic Policy is a senior level manager that carries out government engagement, advocacy, and lobbying efforts on behalf of the U.S. pork industry. The VP is responsible for positioning the pork industry as a leader and key partner with influential government audiences. The position will have overall strategic and operational responsibility to formulate policy and develop strategies to advance domestic priorities. The VP will work to advance federal policy, advocate on behalf of producers to the executive branch and build coalitions. The VP will be a thought leader and a key part of the management team reporting to the CEO. This is a registered lobbyist position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a committed team, supervising a department, to maximize performance. Including developing strategies to support a collaborative culture, shared accountability, and organizational efficiency.
- Advocate on priority policy issues including, but not limited to farm programs, risk management, biotechnology, futures markets, tax, food safety, and labor.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive lobbying strategy based on the policy priorities of the organization through Congress, the Executive Branch, and Federal agencies via face-to-face or virtual engagement, written materials, and news media. Including but not limited to:
- Assisting in the drafting of testimony and comments
- Appearing or coordinating the appearance of members before legislative and regulatory panels,
- Meeting with Congressional and regulatory officials and staff.
- Monitor and report on any significant legislative and regulatory developments related to critical policy priorities that have a direct impact on the pork industry.
- Review various information sources for items of interest and communicate information to relevant team members.
- Collaborates with NPPC’s leadership team to develop and execute organizational strategic plan. Develop consensus at the staff and board level on industry implications of federal legislation and regulations, appropriate position, and best strategy to shape.
- Develop and work closely with internal and external committees including policy organizations in the federal and state government, universities, and other organizations.
- Maintains knowledge and stays current on legislative/regulatory issues that may have an impact on agriculture and the pork industry.
- Builds and deploys effective lobbying strategy by coordinating efforts of the domestic policy team members with other departments within the organization including utilizing resources (grassroots), managing external consultants, building coalitions, and use of media resources and political activities.
- Ensures that a range of relationships are in place and maintained as strategies are executed.
- When appropriate acts as a spokesperson with the media and Congress, representing NPPC on legislative and regulatory issues.
- Ensure the NPPC board, staff and state partners are aware of any emerging issues and NPPC related policy. Develop and execute a strategic plan for each related issues.
- Works with the CEO to engage the organizations officers and board in the development and implementation of NPPC’s position on issues and the related strategy to shape legislation.
- Other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor: Take on other assignments and special projects which may be outside of primary responsibilities.
Required Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy or a related field, or equivalent work experience is required. A graduate degree is preferred.
- A minimum of 15 years of experience in dealing with complex and high profile legislative and policy matters, ideally within the agriculture/livestock industry.
- NPPC values candidates who bring significant experience serving as a strategic advisor to organizational leadership (either in the public or private sector) and a track record of leading a strategic, proactive, and high performing government affairs program.
- Agriculture policy expertise, strategic thinking skills, and political expertise are of critical importance.
- Proven record of advancing important issues through the legislative processes.
- The VP will be an outstanding mentor and manager of teams and have experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. They will know how to build consensus regarding important policy positions and relevant strategies.
- Candidates will have strong political expertise and deep experience in the political process at both the federal and Congressional level
- Thorough understanding of U.S. Congressional and Cabinet policy-making processes, including an understanding of the roles and decision points in the Executive branch, Congress, role of think tanks, associations, and related organizations.
- Strong bipartisan network and personal relationships with Members and staff on relevant House and Senate Committees and within the leadership of the House and Senate; strong Hill experience is essential.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills with the capabilities to negotiate, persuade, and make effective presentations to varying audiences internal and external to NPPC.
- Has effectively managed budgets for these services and has a positive track record of effective portfolio management of these services.
- A high-level of confidence, and proactive, hands-on approach to problem solving, as well as a professional executive presence for interacting with and influencing key leadership and public policy decision makers, senior management, and executives internal and external to the Association. The ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others is important as well as the ability to be flexible and demonstrate strong judgment/decision-making skills.
Travel: Requires 25% travel. Must have valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Location: The position is based out of the Washington, DC office.
The job is open until filled. Please submit your resume/CV and cover letter to andersont@nppc.org.
Negotiable.