Director, Chemical Safety Policy

Position Overview: ​ The Director of Product Policy is responsible for generating insights and engaging with member businesses in impactful ways that support and expand the reach of our client’s product policy efforts related to chemicals management and ingredient safety. The Director will manage complex issues, frame narrative, and serve as a recognized expert and trusted communicator, both internally and externally. ​

Key areas of responsibility (Advocacy, Stakeholder and Member Engagement, and Chemical Issue Expertise):

• Lead the development and execution of policy strategies related to chemical management, including interactions with federal and state agencies such as the FDA and EPA.

• Advocate for policy positions impacting consumer packaged goods manufacturers with the U.S. government, including Capitol Hill advocacy aligned with the company’s objectives.

• Establish and maintain relationships with Congress, federal regulators, and allied trade associations to build strategic support for policy initiatives.

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory frameworks, such as TSCA, FIFRA, and relevant FDA policies impacting chemicals in consumer products.

• Collaborate with internal teams, including Regulatory Affairs, Legal, and Communications, to shape and promote policy positions, draft legislative materials, and develop compelling internal and external narratives.

• Act as the primary liaison to member companies for chemical management issues, providing updates on emerging regulations, compliance guidance, and advocacy initiatives.

• Engage with member businesses to build cross-industry support for product policy activities and coordinate cohesive policy approaches.

• Represent the organization in industry coalitions, regulatory meetings, and public forums, effectively articulating the company’s policy positions.

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, and advocacy groups to further influence policy discussions.

• Monitor and assess federal legislation, regulations, and emerging policies, such as the U.S. government’s PFAS roadmap and FDA chemical safety modernization efforts, to ensure proactive strategy development.

• Provide research, data, and issue-related information to staff, members, and stakeholders through reports, briefing materials, and presentations.

• Ensure the organization is prepared for regulatory shifts by researching policy impacts on member businesses and preparing industry response plans.

• Advocate for a science-based, balanced approach to chemical regulation that considers safety and practical business implications.

REQUIREMENTS:

Experience & Education:

• A minimum of a BA/BS degree is required.
• 7-9 years of direct experience working with HHS/FDA and/or EPA, and other federal and state agencies on regulatory and policy issues, required.
• Minimum of 3 years of related employment required in a relevant field such as toxicology or food chemical safety.
• A track record of demonstrated results in government, association and/or political environments.
• Advocacy or public affairs campaign experience preferred. Congressional office or federal/state agency experience a plus.

Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of EPA and FDA regulations pertinent to consumer products.
• Familiarity with the relevant EPA laws and regulations such as Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), etc.
• Familiarity with the relevant FDA laws, policies, guidance documents, and regulations including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on collaboration, customer service, and relationship building.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to translate complex concepts for various audiences.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
• Passion for learning issues, building strategy and tactics, and executing against a plan and driving results.
• Advanced public speaking skills and the presence/confidence to represent the association and its position(s) to external stakeholders.
• Ability to persuasively communicate high-level issues to a technical audience and vice- versa in concise messages.
• Advanced proficiency in Office 365 Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for report generation, data analysis and presentations.
• Excellent customer service skills and email etiquette.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility in learning new software and/or computer/technical applications.
• Ability to work on cross-functional teams.