Animal Health Institute Seeks Director
Posted on November 17, 2022
Position Title:
Director, State Affairs – Animal Health Institute
Position Summary
The Director, State Affairs will be an active member of the public affairs department and will be responsible for leading and coordinating AHI’s efforts to impact legislation and regulation affecting animal health companies at the state level. The Director will work across AHI teams including the regulatory, legislative, and communication teams.
The Director, State Affairs will serve as the primary AHI staff liaison to working groups and member company personnel responsible for influencing state legislation and regulation. This staff person is responsible for:
• Tracking and analyzing state legislation and regulation affecting the animal health industry
• Work with AHI staff, members and outside counsel to draft legislative amendments and policy responses
effectively communicate policies, positions and engagement in state legislative activity.
• Coordinating industry engagement on measures impacting our members, including writing letters and briefing papers, interacting with legislators and staff and working with allied stakeholders
• Engaging with personnel from member companies responsible for state affairs
• Building consensus among member companies on effective strategy to achieve industry goals on state legislative matters
• Build relationships with state legislators, regulators and other influencers, including attendance at meetings where they come together to learn about issues
• Supporting the communications and legislative activities of the association, which can include informing the writing of content for social media platforms, making public presentations, testifying before state legislative bodies
• Scheduling meetings, conference calls, workshops, and other activities associated with section activities in cooperation with committee and working group chairpersons.
• Preparing of meeting minutes, reports, position statements, letters, and other documents.
AHI has a small staff where everyone must work together to meet members’ expectations of high quality and effective presentation. Therefore, the responsibilities of this position will adjust from time to time based on member needs and the interests and abilities of the successful candidate.
Organization:
The Animal Health Institute is a trade association representing manufacturers of animal medicines, including pharmaceuticals, animal pesticides, and animal biologicals for both pets and food producing animals. AHI works to promote the availability of veterinary medicines to maintain the health and welfare of animals and represents the interests of its members in the legislative, regulatory, and public arenas. AHI works closely with veterinary, commodity and producer associations whose members use products and services of our member companies.
Job Location:
AHI’s office is located in central Washington, DC at 1325 G Street, Washington DC 20005, Suite 700. The location is accessible by Metro Rail and monthly and daily fee parking is available on site. Fully remote candidates in any location in the United States will be considered, but strong preference will be given to candidates who are within a reasonable distance to regularly visit the Arlington, Va./Washington, DC area as needed for internal and external meetings.
Education and Experience:
• Minimum five years’ experience in the state legislative arena
• JD preferred, or equivalent qualification acquired through formal training or through demonstrated work experience
• Experience in agriculture, animal science or animal health industries
Skills and Requirements:
• Ability to translate legislative language into digestible information and determine strategic application of distilled information.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret legislation and government regulations
• Background in and understanding of laws and regulations governing animal health products
• Concise and effective writing and oral communication skills and the ability to represent the industry in various public settings, including testifying in state legislatures.
• Ability to work with groups and guide them in seeking resolutions and consensus
• Ability to give direction to and manage the work of consultants
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization.
• Independent worker with strong time management and organizational skills required
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Strong professional image with the ability to manage stress and work comfortably in a fast-paced environment where priorities and direction may change frequently
Travel:
Ability to travel approximately 30% in the U.S.
Salary Range:
Salary will be commensurate with experience as the role will be tailored to candidate. AHI also provides comprehensive benefits including premium healthcare, 401(k), paid leave and more.
Reporting:
The director reports to the Senior Vice President, Policy
To apply:
Please email your CV/resume in PDF format to positions@ahi.org by November 23, 2022.