Primary Purpose of the Position: Execute legislative and administrative strategies on behalf of U.S. sugarbeet growers.
Job Description
This position is in a small and very active association, with strong support from its grower membership. The Director of Government Affairs oversees legislative and administrative issues related to sugar policy. The Director serves as the primary point of contact between the Hill and the association. The position plays an integral role in industry and coalition meetings, identifying advocacy needs, preparing and making effective presentations, and teaching and training industry stakeholders. Creative and analytical thinking, dynamic leadership, and excellent communication skills are required. The job requires a bipartisan and balanced approach to congressional offices and the administration. High motivation, organization, reliability, and attention to detail are very important for success in this position.
Core Responsibilities
Legislative and Regulatory: Monitor and help shape proposed policies and regulations that impact sugarbeet production. Meet regularly with congressional offices and committee staff. The position leads and manages the annual grower congressional fly-ins.
Industry Coordination: Partner with sugarbeet industry stakeholders at the association and company level to advance grower interests. Collaborate with other commodity and farm organizations to strengthen and advance the agriculture coalition.
Public Relations: Identify needs for education, training, and support for grower leaders. Communicate regularly with the Board of Directors. Clearly understand the dynamics of social media and skillfully employ it for communication and education.
International Trade: Have a basic understanding of international trade issues, agreements, and enforcement mechanisms.
Political Action: Have a passion for monitoring elections. Serve as vice treasurer of the association’s political action committee. Host and participate in fundraising events.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree, law degree or other advanced degree preferred
- Minimum of eight years’ professional experience dealing with policy-making processes, whether on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, or within similar trade associations
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills for effectively interfacing with key policy, decision and influence makers within the government
- Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, and execute policy and legislative initiatives
- Established Washington relationships and significant experience in advancing initiatives through strategic communications to policymakers
- Substantial collaborative skills with a track record of building strong bipartisan relationships
- Thorough knowledge of Congress, the legislative process and laws, issues and policies relevant to agriculture
About the American Sugarbeet Growers Association
The purpose of the organization is to unite American sugarbeet growers and promote their common interest. We represent the 10,000 family farmers in 10 states that raise sugarbeets on 1.1 million acres and own 19 factories and dozens of storage and distribution facilities. These 19 factories are owned by eight separate farmer-owned cooperatives. The cooperatives are the sole processors of sugar from sugarbeets in the U.S. and are critical to national and food security. The association is tasked with carrying out the federal mission of the industry at both the legislative and executive branches.
Comprehensive benefit package is provided. Salary based on skills and experience. For immediate consideration, send resumes to: jobs@americansugarbeet.org