Director of Policy, Government Affairs and Regulatory Strategy

Job Title:

Director of Policy, Government Affairs and Regulatory Strategy

Reports To:

Textile Engine CEO

Location:

Hybrid Job Type: FLSA Exempt, Salaried, Full-Time The NSF Textile Innovation Engine of NC is an NSF-funded program of The Industrial Commons (TIC). The NSF Engines program supports the creation of region-scale, technology-driven innovation ecosystems in the US. With a focus on building regional coalitions of partner organizations, NSF Engines accelerate the development of emerging technologies, drive economic growth, address key societal challenges, maintain national competitiveness, and strengthen national security.

The NSF funds Engines to carry out an integrated and comprehensive set of activities spanning use-inspired research, translation to practice, entrepreneurship, and workforce development to nurture and accelerate regional industries. The NSF Engines program has four strategic pillars to uphold: building American wealth, transforming nascent regional innovation ecosystems into market leaders, ensuring national leadership in key industries, and advancing technologies relevant to national competitiveness, with particular interest in regions of service that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past several decades.

About The Industrial Commons:
The Industrial Commons is an economic ecosystem located in Morganton, NC with reach across the state and region. Our mission is to found and grow interconnected enterprises that solve problems for businesses and workers, while rebuilding a diverse working class, based on locally rooted wealth. We address the root causes of generational poverty by supporting frontline workers in building an economy for all.

TIC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Job Overview:
The Director of Policy, Government Affairs & Regulatory Strategy serves as the Textile Innovation Engine's lead advocate, strategist, and subject matter expert on public policy issues that impact the future of the U.S. textile industry. This role is responsible for building relationships with elected officials, state agencies, federal policymakers, industry associations, and key stakeholders to advance policies that support textile innovation, workforce development, circular manufacturing, regenerative agriculture, and domestic industrial competitiveness.

The Director will develop and execute policy strategies that secure long-term public investment in the Textile Innovation Engine, strengthen North Carolina's position as the national leader in textile innovation, and create favorable regulatory and economic conditions for emerging textile industries. Essential Functions
● Develop and execute government affairs, public policy, and regulatory strategies that advance the goals of the Textile Innovation Engine and support the growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of the U.S. textile industry.
● Serve as the primary liaison to policymakers, government agencies, industry associations, economic development organizations, and other key stakeholders at the local, state, regional, and federal levels.
● Build and maintain strategic partnerships with public, private, academic, nonprofit, and industry partners to advance policy priorities, address regulatory challenges, and support shared objectives.
● Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments impacting the textile industry and provide strategic recommendations regarding risks, opportunities, and emerging trends.
● Lead policy initiatives related to textile innovation, workforce development, manufacturing competitiveness, supply chain resilience, sustainability, circular economy strategies, regenerative agriculture, and emerging industry priorities.
● Develop strategies to secure public investment, appropriations, grant funding, and other government resources that support Engine initiatives and…