Job Description

The VP of Government Affairs will report to the Chief Policy Officer (CPO) and work collaboratively across the association and membership to lead state and federal government affairs, in alignment with the issues and projects identified by Toy Association membership as priorities for the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The VP, Government Affairs will:

• Lead the Association’s Government Affairs Center of Excellence (CoE) and oversee federal and state legislative and regulatory affairs. Manage and lead two direct reports (Director, State Government Affairs; Manager, Government Affairs) and two external lobbying firms (one state; one federal). Execute the vision of the CPO and closely collaborate with the Safety Standards & Regulatory Center of Excellence (CoE), to develop and implement strategies and tactics, to carry out the Association’s government affairs priorities.

• Serve as the “face” of the Association on Capitol Hill, advocating on legislative and regulatory initiatives related to trade, environmental issues and packaging, product safety, children’s online safety, IP, and other priority issues. Engage with state and federal regulatory agencies of jurisdiction (ex CPSC) on policy and technical matters and collaborate closely with the Safety CoE for comments on behalf of the toy industry on those matters as they arise.

• Lead and run robust and efficient member meetings, including the Association’s Federal Government Affairs Committee and State Government Affairs Committee to develop consensus on key advocacy issues.

• Coordinate grassroots efforts with Association members and national and regional groups and work to build coalitions to pass, defeat, or modify legislation and regulations impacting the toy industry.

• Manage and direct contract lobbyists and other consultants. Manage state consultant contracts, invoices, and filings. Work with CPO, GGRA on federal contracts, invoices, and filings, as needed.

• Oversee tracking and monitoring systems for federal and state legislative and agency activities, develop materials for lobbying efforts, contact legislators, and legislative staff, and represent the Association in legislative and regulatory meetings and negotiations.

• Develop reports for members and external audiences, draft legislative testimony and regulatory comments, and produce other written materials for the Board of Directors, as needed and directed by CPO.

Lead Association industry legislative events and other events the Association holds on Capitol Hill and in the States (ex-NY Toy Fair Strategy Meeting, Annual Fly-In, International Day of Play), and assist with any educational briefings, state or federal government events and industry demonstrations for congressional staff and Association members.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree as minimum requirement; legal or advanced degree a plus.
• A deep understanding of legislative policy making at state and federal levels
• 15 or more years of experience in legislation, regulation, or government relations such as staff positions on Capitol Hill, with state or federal agencies, with relevant trade associations, and/or a corporate government affairs office
• Understanding of consumer products and toy industry-related issues, including product safety, chemical regulation, producer responsibility, children’s online privacy,
• Highly organized, managing multiple tasks and tight deadlines with confidence
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to lead and inspire a team to perform with excellence; and to operate in an association environment with competing interests and different points of view.
• Capacity to assume more significant responsibilities over time
• Willingness and ability to travel on an as-needed basis.

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