Vice President, Industry Affairs

Interested candidates should apply on/before Sunday, April 26.

The Vice President, Industry Affairs oversees a department responsible for all programs, issues and committees for industry sectors, as well as the collection and aggregation of industry data. The vice president is expected to develop marketplace policy, drive member consensus, build relationships, ensure department strategies are aligned and integrated across the organization and advance policy priorities.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the incumbent also works with other staff leaders to set strategic priorities for the organization, identify strategic issues for consideration by the SLT and ensure collaboration on issue identification, prioritization and implementation. This person has a responsibility to ensure that Association policies are followed and applied consistently, and to respond judiciously to confidential/sensitive member and Association issues.

The below description provides more detail on American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), this important role and how you will impact the industry.

• Oversee product sectors and serve as a key strategist and thought leader on priority marketplace issues, including Extended Producer Responsibility, driving success of goals.
• Identify, analyze, and prioritize issues, and integrate business solutions into the Association’s key public policy and marketplace initiatives.
• Work with member company executives to develop policies and ensure research and business statistics support company decision making.
• Ensure AF&PA engagement and representation in coalitions and at events, especially those hosted by outside interest or membership groups, and allies with shared legislative or regulatory goals.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with members, key industry partners and value chain organizations, coalitions, and other outside groups.
• Serve as a member of key policy and cross-functional teams within AF&PA.
• Partner and collaborate with the VP, Government Affairs on marketplace advocacy and implementation issues, and policy maker and influencer relationship strategies in key states.
• Oversee the execution of major member valued industry meetings, Product Sector meetings, and Division meetings.
• Advocate for and testify on member interests related to marketplace policy priorities to federal, state and local legislative and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure AF&PA state and local legislative and regulatory goals related to Sector priorities are coordinated with related industry groups.
• Oversee industry data programs that support paper product Sectors, paid subscribers, and other audiences; navigate complex member, legal and technical requirements and restrictions.
• Oversee membership recruitment and retention for Product Sectors.
• Develop and oversee budgets for the department, its programs and issues.

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Industry Affairs staff and function, including:
  • Guide, inspire, and align staff to support the success of the department and AF&PA.
  • Develop team members in preparation for anticipated business needs.

If your knowledge, skills and abilities are transferrable and you think you’re a great candidate for AF&PA - please consider applying even if you do not meet all the criteria listed below.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Advanced degree in business, public policy, communications, law or related field preferred
• Ten (10) or more years of experience in a related field or association
• Seven (7) or more years of supervisory experience
• Experience developing and implementing budgets
• Experience balancing multiple responsibilities with high quality execution and performance
• Understanding of the paper industry, manufacturing, and marketplace dynamics
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with staff, members, key stakeholders, and partners
• Leadership skills, including ownership, accountability and ability to prioritize and drive results
• Collaboration/facilitation skills to achieve consensus-based strategies and solutions
• Ability to identify emerging issues and develop strategic plans that support key initiatives
• Critical thinking skills to analyze issues, identify threats and integrate business solutions
• Ability to operate in a collaborative, cross-functional and multi-disciplinary organization
• Ability to lead and develop a staff with highly specialized knowledge, skills and abilities
• Excellent public speaking and writing skills to communicate with credibility to staff, member companies, partners, the media, and trade publications
• A valid U.S. driver’s license to travel locally; ability to travel within the US and internationally

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) values diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invites all talented individuals to apply to be part of our team and support our culture and mission. We encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas and different perspectives to reach our goals and we support work/life balance.

We are located on 13^th Street, NW between F and G, (directly above Metro Station). Our office is hybrid, which includes up to two days of remote work.

AF&PA serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on X @ForestandPaper.

AF&PA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcomes all talented individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. Information may be found on the Department of Labor’s website (https://www.dol.gov) as well as through these available notices: Know Your Rights; Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).