Director, Government Affairs

The Director will have the responsibility to help develop and execute government affairs advocacy objectives and political priorities for the Company on issues related to veterinary medicine, food safety, trade, and sustainability. The Director will represent the Company before Congress and relevant federal agencies, to establish, enhance, and preserve key relations with Members of Congress and their staff, Administration officials and their staff, and other policymakers.

The Director will identify, monitor, and influence Company-relevant federal policy developments on veterinary medicine, food safety, trade, and sustainability.  You will work closely with its U.S. business and functional leaders of the Company to connect policy developments with internal decisions and vice-versa and will work especially close with regulatory affairs colleagues.  A deep capacity to build and maintain bipartisan relationships skills is essential.  Also, you will be responsible for cultivating relationships with stakeholder organizations that are relevant to Company policy priorities.  In all engagements, the ideal candidate will operate with integrity, discipline, and excellence.

This role will support the administration, growth, and compliance of the Political Action Committee (PAC).  In addition, it is anticipated you would support the regular filings of lobbying disclosures for the company and lobbyists. 

Basic Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree required (preferred fields: agriculture, science, business, journalism, or political science),
• Minimum 5 years in public affairs, government relations, communications, or similar work experience.
• Understanding of industry trade associations and NGOs (i.e., how they work and function). 
• Exceptional and concise verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledgeable of modern agriculture production practices and the food industry.
• Outstanding teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizing talents with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Proven capability of interacting with multiple levels of contacts, especially with senior officials.
• Recognized ability to work within diverse cross-functional teams.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and advance the Company’s public policy objectives in veterinary medicine, food safety, trade, and sustainability.
• Ensure the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with federal lawmakers and stakeholders.
• Understanding and engaging Company business leaders on relevant public policy developments and Company priorities.
• Ensuring compliance for the PAC, its filings, and supporting its growth.
• Coordinating the lobbying disclosure filings and compliance with global advocacy regulations.
• Anticipate challenges/obstacles our business could face as the public policy landscape evolves.
• Engaging with stakeholders, customers, and relevant trade associations on priorities.
• Working closely with colleagues on priorities and providing visibility on key developments.
• Contributing to the global strategy for government affairs and thought leadership.
• Leading or coordinating public policy campaigns on Company priorities.
• Conducting public policy research on Company priorities.

Success in position will be measured by:

• Ability to deliver and support the delivery of the Company’s public policy objectives. 
• Compliance status and growth of the PAC and related compliance requirements for advocacy.
• The visibility provided to the business colleagues on priorities, developing issues, and progress to achieve objectives.
• Effect changes and drive policymaking that will ultimately benefit our customers.
• Ability to execute the role consistent with company-defined behaviors and expected conduct.
• The added value is provided to the function and company.

Additional Skills & Preferences:

• Candidates with advanced degrees in law, vet medicine, business, or international relations are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated success in delivering public policy affairs objectives.
• Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills; demonstrated ability to interact at the highest corporate and political levels effectively and comfortably.
• Maintain the highest personal levels of ethical conduct, confidentiality, and integrity, with the strongest professional reputation in the industry.
• A keen working understanding of policymaking, including the mechanics of the legislative policymaking process and procedures, effective lobbying techniques, and collaboration with other companies and trade groups.
• Self-starter with a proven track record of successfully working with a wide array of functional groups across organizations and cultures.
• The ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others is required. Ability to understand how technical language in legislative and regulatory proposals could affect corporate operations, identify business implications, and synthesize policy documents for internal customers.
• Must be flexible and demonstrate strong judgment/decision-making skills, and political acumen.