Director, Science Policy and Regulatory Affairs (Remote position

Position Overview

The American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) is seeking a Director, Science Policy and Regulatory Affairs to address needs for the Society and to provide support for allied trade associations and industry groups under shared services agreements. This is a strategic, member- and client-facing role designed to extend AOCS’s scientific credibility into the policy and regulatory arena.

The Director will monitor and analyze federal and international regulatory and science-policy developments, support regulatory and technical committees, and translate complex regulatory and scientific matters into practical compliance guidance and sound policy positions. The role serves multiple sectors AOCS supports (including oilseed processing, edible oils and fats, proteins, surfactants and oleochemicals, biofuels and renewable feed stocks, and food and feed ingredients) building shared science-policy and regulatory infrastructure that benefits AOCS and each association it serves.

The position reports to the CEO and provides AOCS with deeper strategic insight into the sectors it serves and strengthens its position as the scientific and standards backbone of the global oils, fats, proteins and surfactant community. The Director serves as a member of the AOCS Leadership Team. As an externally facing role, the Director will promote AOCS offerings to client organizations and other stakeholders and identify potential needs for the development of new products and services.

This is a rare opportunity to build a new capability from the ground up at a respected global scientific organization. The Director will work at the intersection of science, standards, and policy across multiple industries, helping the Society and allied associations navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape while shaping a strategic new direction for AOCS.

• Monitor, analyze, and report on federal and international regulatory activity affecting AOCS and client sectors, including agencies such as EPA, FDA, USDA, OSHA, PHMSA, DHS, USCG, and comparable international bodies.
• Support advocacy and science-policy activities in response to regulatory actions and emerging policy issues across environmental, food and feed safety and quality, health and safety, labeling, nutrition, and trade matters, as needed.
• As directed by the AOCS Governing Board or clients, develop science-based policy positions and technical comment letters that draw on AOCS scientific expertise and the published literature.
• Develop compliance guidance documents, regulatory alerts, webinars, and reports that support client member operations, as needed.
• Represent AOCS in multi-association coalitions and industry organizations addressing cross-sector regulatory issues.
• Serve as a primary point of contact in interactions with federal regulatory agencies, as appropriate, and deliver timely regulatory and technical guidance to AOCS and stakeholders.

• Update AOCS Governing Board and appropriate AOCS Committees on relevant science policy and regulatory developments.
• Support regulatory affairs committees, subcommittees, and working groups on behalf of client associations, ensuring alignment with each client’s member priorities.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate committee meetings (in person and virtual), including agendas, materials, minutes, and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate with AOCS staff and external counsel or consultants as needed to deliver client commitments.

• Promote AOCS Technical Services offerings to client associations and their members, connecting regulatory and compliance needs to AOCS scientific solutions.
• Coordinate with AOCS Technical Services to identify client and sector needs for new programs and services, such as analytical methods and Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) series.
• Translate regulatory and science-policy developments into requirements for new or revised AOCS standards, methods, and proficiency offerings.

• Identify important regulatory trends, adjacent sector needs, and emerging industry…