Washington, DC
Primary Purpose of the Position: Execute the conservation, environmental, and regulatory strategies for 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 will oversee activities in the conservation, environmental, regulatory, and emerging technologies space with particular focus on biotech traits, pesticide access, and associated federal policy at both the administrative and legislative level. The director will be an integral part of sugarbeet industry efforts in the listed areas above and should expect to hold leadership roles within various initiatives the industry pursues. Creative and analytical thinking, dynamic leadership, proven results, ability to navigate difficult technical issues with multiple parties, high motivation, and excellent communication skills are required. The job requires a bipartisan and balanced approach, which is very important for success in this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Industry Collaboration: Collaborate and communicate across the sugarbeet industry. Collaborate with other commodity and farm organizations, as well as seed and pesticide company representatives. A team player is essential.
Regulatory: Serve as primary association point person for regulatory work. The position will require collaboration on industry technical, scientific, and administrative efforts. Much of this work is done at EPA and USDA.
Legislative: Work with the Director of Government Affairs on any legislative proposals or initiatives.
Research: The beet industry benefits from a mix of public and private research funding. This position will serve as the point person for the association to track and transmit that work to staff, the board of directors, and grower-members.
Technology: Members are continuously looking at new technology to improve farming outcomes. This position will meet with technology providers to understand and influence new opportunities that improve outcomes, reduce inputs, or mitigate risk.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree, law degree or Ph.D. degree preferred
- Minimum of eight years’ professional experience dealing with policy-making processes, whether in the executive branch, Capitol Hill, or in other similar trade associations
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills for effectively interfacing with key policy, decision, and influence makers within the government
- Established Washington relationships, especially at EPA and USDA
- Significant experience in advancing regulatory initiatives
- Substantial collaborative skills with a track record of building strong bipartisan relationships
- Thorough knowledge of regulatory and legislative processes, issues, and policies relevant to agriculture
- Strong understanding of federal pesticide, conservation, environmental sustainability and climate programs
- Ability to plan, organize, evaluate and execute policy initiatives
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.
A comprehensive benefits package is provided. Salary based on skills and experience. For immediate consideration, send resumes to: jobs@americansugarbeet.org