Director of Advocacy and FTZ

Bring your practical U.S. FTZ experience to a national role serving the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) community. NAFTZ seeks a knowledgeable, collaborative professional who can help advance advocacy priorities, develop relevant educational programs and provide useful member guidance. This position works closely with the President, member volunteers and Sorini Strategic Advisors (SSA), NAFTZ's retained advocacy advisers. Prior lobbying or advocacy experience is helpful but is not required.

• Serve as NAFTZ's internal FTZ technical resource, explaining U.S. FTZ operations, member concerns and the practical implications of legislative and regulatory proposals to Congress and federal agencies, while helping grantees, operators and users understand regulatory and operational developments affecting their work.
• Help develop and advance NAFTZ's advocacy priorities by identifying member challenges and opportunities, translating practical FTZ experience into policy recommendations, and participating in congressional and agency meetings, briefings and follow-up in coordination with the President and SSA.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to NAFTZ's Advocacy Working Groups, supporting volunteer chairs, coordinating priorities and member input, and tracking recommendations and follow-up with the President and SSA.
• Own the monthly CBP meeting cycle, including open-item tracking, an agenda circulated at least one week ahead, preparation, notes and follow-up, with President support.
• Chair the Program Committee, coordinate track chairs, and manage the call for speakers and presentations as the standard submission process for all proposed sessions. Work with volunteer leaders to review submissions, select topics and speakers, and develop educational programming.
• Identify emerging U.S. FTZ issues, member learning needs and gaps in existing educational offerings, and work with the Program Committee, staff and subject-matter experts to develop relevant programs and resources.
• Coordinate government speakers with the President and SSA; support TRRT volunteer leadership, technical review and member input.
• Coordinate U.S. FTZ data and resource updates using reliable sources, including FTZ Board annual reports and OFIS; prepare substantive member communications and the monthly advocacy report for the Zones Report.
• In collaboration with the staff team, develop, launch and manage a centralized help desk and reusable resource library, coordinating inquiry intake, qualified responders, agency assistance and follow-through.

• Deep practical knowledge of U.S. FTZ regulations and operations, with the judgment to recognize when specialist input is needed.
• Strong research and writing skills and the ability to explain complex matters clearly to policymakers, members, volunteers and advisers.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects, volunteers and deadlines while working independently and collaboratively with a small staff.
• Experience across multiple U.S. FTZ roles or settings, such as grantee or zone administration, operator/user operations and consulting, is highly desirable.
• AZS, CZS or related trade credentials; association or educational-program experience; and committee leadership are preferred.

Remote work is permitted. A Washington, DC-area location is advantageous but not required. Required travel includes the DC Summit, Spring Seminar and Annual Conference, periodic Washington meetings, and other assigned member or industry engagements. Occasional evening or weekend work accompanies events and meetings.

The salary is based on relevant experience and qualifications. NAFTZ currently pays 100% of family health-insurance coverage and provides employer retirement contributions under its plan. Benefits are subject to plan terms and eligibility.

NAFTZ welcomes qualified applicants and provides equal employment opportunity. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.