Senior Manager, Government Affairs

Advocate for a vital industry that manufactures essential everyday products from renewable and recyclable resources. Reporting to the Senior Director, Government Affairs, this position will advocate for member interests and manage California state and local government affairs, as well as those for other assigned western states. They ensure the coordination of association state lobbying efforts with the overall policy goals of association members.

With respect to California specifically, the Senior Manager, Government Affairs provides California regulatory, policy and technical support on various issues related to the marketplace and environmental regulations in California.

This position requires a strong understanding of California state politics and policy making process, as well as strong existing relationships with California legislators and one or more regulatory agencies. The person hired for this role must work remotely in or around Sacramento, CA.

• Advocate for industry and/or member interests in California and a portfolio of other assigned states (including Oregon and Washington) by tracking, analyzing, and reporting on state legislative activities
• Manage state contract lobbyists and other outside consultants as assigned
• Write letters, testimony and various association communications
• Serve as a liaison to California state and local public policy groups and similar groups in other assigned states
• Develop and maintain relationships with state legislators, executive branch officials and regulators in California and other assigned states
• Testify before state legislative and regulatory bodies in California and other assigned states
• Design and implement industry advocacy events which serve as educational opportunities for California state legislators, regulators, or other decision‑makers and highlight the industry’s accomplishments
• Maintain relationships and coordinate with outside interest groups in coalitions and on shared state legislative goals
• Analyze emerging California state regulatory and policy issues; identify potential impacts or opportunities to the paper and wood products industry
• Formulate industry policies and positions based on California regulatory, policy, and legislative initiatives.

• Lead and coordinate member company engagement or coalition engagement on Association issues
• Build and maintain consensus among member companies to develop legislative and policy goals for California and other assigned states
• Serve on internal issue teams; manage, plan, and run meetings on relevant issue topics affecting the Association
• Serve as a subject matter expert on assigned issues, including extended producer responsibility, chemical regulations, recycling, and other environmental and energy issues as needed

• Participate in regular Association meetings virtually and occasionally in person
• Ensure AF&PA state legislative and regulatory goals are coordinated with other AF&PA departments and related industry groups, including providing comments on proposed regulations
• Coordinate with AF&PA’s federal affairs team to ensure that federal policy objectives are met and fulfilled at the state level
• Coordinate state grassroots campaigns for state legislative and regulatory priorities

• Graduate degree in public policy or related field is a plus
• Five or more years of experience in federal or state policy development; in corporate or trade association government affairs; as a paid campaign or legislative staff member; or role of equivalent function
• Three or more years of experience with California state politics and policy making process, both legislative and regulatory
• Experience in performing research, analyzing policy and contributing to policy development
• Experience with environment, energy, recycling, or other manufacturing sector issues is a plus

• Strong understanding of California state politics and policy making process, both legislative and regulatory, with understanding of political process in other states
• Strong…