Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs - Northwest

Salary: DOE Range $140k - $185k and Bonus Eligible

Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision;
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account;
Short-term and Long-term Leave;
Sick Leave;
Vacation;
Life Insurance (4x annual salary); 401(k) with 6% company match;
Pension Plan;
Maternity and Paternity Leave.

The Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs is responsible for leading WSPA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy in Washington and Oregon across an assigned portfolio of issues. The position evaluates proposed legislation, regulations, and related policy developments; develops and recommends advocacy strategies and positions; and represents WSPA before legislators, regulatory agencies, and other decision-makers.

The Director works closely with WSPA members, lobbyists, technical experts, consultants, industry partners, and other stakeholders to develop informed positions and advance industry priorities. The role requires strong independent judgment, strategic thinking, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to understand complex policy and technical issues and translate them into effective advocacy strategies. Support for local issues may be provided as needed.

• Lead development and execution of legislative and regulatory advocacy strategies in Washington and Oregon across assigned issue areas.
• Evaluate proposed legislation, regulations, and agency actions; assess potential impacts on members; and develop recommended WSPA positions, priorities, and responses.
• Anticipate emerging legislative and regulatory issues, identify strategic implications, and recommend when and how WSPA should engage.
• Integrate relevant technical information, member expertise, political considerations, and outside analysis into advocacy strategy and decision-making, including directing technical consultants and subject-matter experts as needed.
• Represent WSPA before legislators, legislative staff, regulatory agencies, hearings, technical working groups, task forces, and other government forums.
• Prepare and deliver testimony, presentations, comment letters, narrative reports, talking points, and other advocacy materials.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with policymakers, agency staff, members, lobbyists, industry associations, coalitions, and other stakeholders necessary to advance WSPA priorities.
• Direct and coordinate member, technical, consultant, lobbyist, and coalition resources in support of legislative and regulatory advocacy.
• Provide strategic leadership for assigned WSPA committees, including setting priorities, facilitating member consensus, guiding issue strategy, and overseeing related budgets and consultants.
• Support local and other regional policy matters as needed.

• Juris Doctor strongly preferred; bachelor’s degree required.
• Approximately 15 years of progressive, relevant experience in government affairs, regulatory affairs, public policy, law, industry advocacy, or a related field, with consideration given to candidates with less experience based on the relevance and depth of their experience.
• Significant experience with Washington and Oregon legislative and regulatory processes, including direct engagement with policymakers and regulatory agencies and a strong working knowledge of legislative procedures, agency rule making processes, and the functions of key state regulatory agencies.
• Experience in the energy, petroleum, environmental, natural resources, or related industries preferred.
• Experience analyzing statutes, code and research and providing external communications to broad audiences with varied knowledge levels of the topic.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with limited…