The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is seeking a Director of State Government Affairs. 

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Together, our members contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

The Director, State Government Affairs is responsible for leading NEMA’s State Government relations and advocacy. The position primarily interacts with state legislators, state legislative trade associations and is responsible for managing NEMA’s State Government Affairs Committee (SGAC), which sets policy and advocacy priorities for NEMA at the state level.  Advocacy expertise on both policy and technical issues to achieve desired outcomes is a key expectation of this position.      

The Director, State Government Affairs is responsible for working with the SGAC to identify key issues relevant to NEMA and develop and execute a strategic plan to advance NEMA’s mission and state-level policy positions. Priority areas include policies and legislation affecting electrical manufacturers such as end of life product care, environmental producer responsibility legislation, chemicals and other critical materials, and legislation related to the energy transition, manufacturing supply chain, mobility (EV’s and related), the Grid, the Built Environment (e.g. batteries and lighting), and core industrial (such as cable and wire).

The Director reports to the Managing Director, Government Relations. NEMA is based in Arlington, Virginia. The work schedule for this position is provisioned either for hybrid work or remote work.   Approximately 25 percent time on domestic travel is required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage NEMA State Government Relations advocacy and coordinate advocacy and adoption of building codes (NEC, IECC):

• Successfully advocates for NEMA industry positions with relevant agencies via in-person meetings,  webinar/teleconference and written comments 
• Build positive relationships with and persuasively represent NEMA’s policy positions to relevant state government agency officials and members and staff of state legislatures in states where NEMA has or seeks to establish a presence.
• Maintains close coordination with NEMA membership on issues of importance 
• Coordinates with NEMA Director of Built Environment sector and NEMA’s regional Technical Field Representatives on code adaptation and advocacy 
• Team with NEMA technical leads to stay abreast of planned changes in building codes and coordinate activities in states where code adoption is lagging
• Forms and leads coalitions to achieve assigned objectives, including teaming with other trade associations and/or professional organizations

2. Lead development and implementation of State-level policy strategies 

• Anticipates longer-term trends in state legislation and communicates through all NEMA channels, with emphasis on legislative initiatives relevant to Members 
• Forcefully represents the association in State-level activities with officials, legislators, regulators, other stakeholders
• Understand, analyze and develop action plans to achieve industry-supportive results in State legislatures 
• Coordinate with relevant industry stakeholders, state associations and other advocacy organizations to help achieve desired legislative outcomes
  

Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree is required, advanced degrees a plus 
• Five or more years of proven experience in government relations  
• Demonstrated knowledge of State regulatory processes to include energy conservation standards, building codes and electrical safety highly desirable
• Knowledge of electric energy/utility and manufacturing challenges and opportunities, especially as may be affected by regulations 
• Strong relationship builder with executive presence, ability to shape policy-making and regulatory processes to achieve goals 
• Trade association experience desirable and keen to master new digital skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to persuasively advocate in private and public settings
• Innovative thinker and leader, individually proactive and outcome-oriented, performs effectively as a team leader/builder/player 
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, multidiscipline environment with challenging timelines for multiple projects occurring simultaneously
• Must be able to work in a manner consistent with NEMA’s core values of respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership
  

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health and dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy. 

Veterans are encouraged to apply. EOE/M/F/V/D.  

Interested individuals can apply at: NEMA Careers

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is seeking a Director, Member Relations.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Together, our members contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy.

NEMA is committed to expanding market opportunities and removing business barriers by developing industry standards, advocating on behalf of the industry at the international, federal, and state level, and delivering world-class market intelligence. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

The Director, Member Relations will be responsible for engaging NEMA members to facilitate value creation and engagement with the organization. The Director develops plans to actively engage with companies across the membership.  The Director will lead NEMA’s engagement with its Council for Small Businesses, a C-Suite Committee focused on creating value for NEMA’s 100+ small and medium-sized members.  The Director will cultivate strong connections with key staff and leadership to ensure ongoing member value and engagement and promote member retention. The Director will also support targeted recruitment activities throughout the year.

The Director will work closely with the Managing Director, Membership and Membership Coordinator. The NEMA CEO, CFO and Chief Economist will work closely with the Director to provide guidance and prioritize the Director’s member engagement activities. The position includes domestic travel of approximately 10-20% for member engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify at-risk members through engaging with NEMA staff and existing members and industry research
• Actively engage at-risk members by demonstrating the value of NEMA membership
• Establish and track annual retention and engagement goals and provide detailed progress reports with analytics to support recommended actions. Periodically brief NEMA management on membership metrics and trends
• Develop an effective member retention strategy that supports NEMA’s vision while enhancing member value
• Strategic oversight and development of compelling member retention activities and marketing materials
• Establish and implement a comprehensive member engagement matrix, communicating and collaborating with NEMA’s operating teams on priority actions
• Learn the business and operations of NEMA members to best meet member needs, communicate the NEMA value proposition, and identify areas for additional NEMA value opportunities 
• Resolve member questions and concerns through engagement, responsiveness, and creative problem solving, partnering across NEMA to enhance services and solutions
• Actively track major changes with member companies, including new lines of business and mergers and divestments
• Plan and coordinate NEMA visits to member offices and facilities and member visits to NEMA headquarters
• Coordinate with NEMA’s finance department on member invoicing
• Provide staff leadership for the Council for Small Businesses—a group of NEMA’s smaller member companies
• Oversee NEMA’s membership database, NEMALink, and ensure data integrity

Experience and Qualifications

             The ideal candidate will have previous membership or sales experience, strong interpersonal skills, an innovative spirit, keen attention to detail, an eagerness to learn, and outstanding communication skills. Previous trade association experience is a plus, but not required.

This position is based in Arlington, VA with provisions for a hybrid work-schedule.

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health and dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy. Veterans are encouraged to apply. EOE/M/F/V/D. 

Interested candidates should apply at NEMA CAREERS