Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

National Automatic Merchandising Association

Reports to President & CEO

FLSA Status Full-Time, Exempt

Department Government Affairs

Supervises Staff of 4:
Director Federal Affairs, Director State Affairs, Federal Affairs Coordinator, State Affairs Coordinator

Compensation Competitive, commensurate with experience

Founded in 1936, NAMA is the national trade association representing the $25 billion convenience services industry including vending, coffee service, and food service management in the away from home market. With more than 1100 member companies, including many of the world’s most recognized brands, NAMA provides advocacy, education, research, and business development forums to its membership.

NAMA is seeking a Senior Vice President, Government Affairs (SVP) to lead the government affairs team (state and federal) with a particular focus in the near term on building and leading a field-first, state-based advocacy operation—establishing, activating, and expanding NAMA's state-level networks and coalitions—while proactively positioning our members and their interests in the regulatory and legislative processes that affect them. The SVP serves as a key member of NAMA’s executive leadership team and will lead all political advocacy efforts related to legislation, regulations, and government policies affecting the industry, with particular emphasis on the state and local level, where most of NAMA's highest-impact advocacy opportunities arise.

The SVP will lead strategy development, advocacy, and campaign management for NAMA’s engagement on all appropriate issues impacting NAMA’s membership and broader industry channel.

The SVP will manage NAMA’s Government Affairs team, outside consultants, and committees.

The SVP will work closely with the VP of Communications to create and implement effective campaigns supporting NAMA’s advocacy agenda.

• Establish and deliver on the vision, strategy, and tactics necessary for high-impact advocacy wins for NAMA members and the broader industry that generate measurable ROI, competitive advantage, and value, and that drives financial support for the Association.
• Oversee all aspects of NAMA’s government affairs, including the legislative strategy on the Hill and among the states, while collaborating closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, government constituencies, members, and other key audiences.
• Build and establish strong relationships with state councils and their lobbyists as a force multiplier for NAMA Staff.
• Establish, maintain, and deploy effective grassroots and grass tops networks in support of NAMA’s priorities. This is a field-first role: success depends on spending substantial time engaging members directly at their facilities, offices, and industry trade shows. This includes proactively identifying and building networks in states and regions where NAMA does not yet have an established presence, not solely maintaining existing relationships.
• Develop and maintain support from NAMA members and industry influencers at the state and local levels for industry impacting legislation and/ or regulatory developments.
• Develop and maintain baseline advocacy specific funding from members to maintain the core advocacy infrastructure and assets.
• Establish a culture of giving that facilitates geographically specific fundraising programs to address geographically specific issues.
• Collaborate, coordinate, and build coalitions with peer associations and other like-minded organizations to achieve NAMA’s goals.
• Oversee and coordinate federal and state lobbying strategies and manage external consultants.
• Advise NAMA’s senior leadership, Board,…