Sr. Director​/Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chemical & Environment

Position Summary

Kellen is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a Sr. Director/Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chemical & Environment, situated within Kellen's Public Affairs practice. The role serves as the lead technical and policy expert for chemical and environmental issues with a focus on federal and state regulatory framework impacting our Industrial & Manufacturing group.

The position is responsible for coordinating and delivering a wide range of member-driven initiatives across advocacy, technical programs, and industry engagement including the development of industry positions and proposals, participation in hearings, and engagement with regulators, stakeholders, and industry coalitions.

Interested candidates should have a strong understanding of the chemical & environmental policy space regarding technical and regulatory processes as this individual will play a crucial role in representing client priorities and ensuring that client policies and positions are effectively communicated to government officials and other relevant stakeholders.

Lead execution of priorities for regulatory committees and working groups for multiple association clients. This role includes the development of strategic action plans, addressing specific industry issues, and collaborating with internal teams and client members to achieve objectives.

• Serving as the technical and regulatory lead for multiple associations in the Industrial & Manufacturing group, overseeing day-to-day execution of the policy agenda, offering strategic guidance on association priorities.
• Monitoring, evaluating, interpreting, and summarizing complex regulatory information related to issues of interest to clients.
• Communicating directly with clients and key stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers, on critical issues impacting clients.
• Managing regulatory and government affairs issue scope, including development of client materials in relation to activity from federal agencies (e.g., regulatory comments).
• Developing accurate comment letters influencing policies based on analysis of current and proposed regulations, ensuring comments are incorporated into policies. Engaging policymakers to clarify or refine client comments, as needed.
• Providing input on strategy for client activities and priorities to respond to dynamic policy environment.
• Identifying and analyzing emerging issues in federal and state chemical and environmental regulations and policy, including priority client objectives and their alignment with federal and state legislature interests.
• Attending meetings with agency staff, public policy or congressional hearings, briefings, coalition meetings, and other events to represent association clients and develop or circulate reports.
• Building relationships with external organizations including identifying potential stakeholders or organizing conference participants and speakers.
• Communicating frequently with clients and internal team to meet deadlines and recommend actions, as needed.
• Leading multiple client regulatory or technical committees, work groups, and work streams to direct progress for strategic priorities.
• May include other responsibilities and duties that align with the mission and vision of the company, as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a public policy discipline or a related field. Master's degree a plus.
• 8-10 years of experience working in Congress, federal agencies, consulting firms, trade associations, or specialty societies on federal regulatory issues, including experience with chemical and environmental regulations is a plus.
• Strong expertise regarding federal regulatory policy is necessary. Deep understanding of current domestic affairs and their political implications is also preferred. Knowledge of state regulatory and policy activity a plus.
• Regulatory affairs experience in technical, compliance, environmental, or policy-driven environments.
• Excellent people skills are crucial for success, including relationship building and maintenance skills, demonstrating ability to function as a positive collaborator.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail. A proven initiative-taker with the ability to direct and manage projects is ideal.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills, will aid in a multi-task-oriented work environment.
• Computer experience including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, with a "Can Do" approach to diverse software packages.
• Willingness to travel.

This job is in Washington, D.C. Kellen operates in a hybrid working environment (i.e., working both in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and remotely on other days of the week). The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to…