Position Summary

• Kellen is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a Sr. Director/Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chemical & Environment, situated within Kellen’s Public ‎Affairs practice. The role serves as the lead technical and policy expert for chemical and environmental issues with a focus on ‎federal and state regulatory framework impacting our Industrial & Manufacturing group.  
• The position is responsible for coordinating and delivering a wide range of member-driven initiatives across ‎advocacy, technical programs, and industry engagement including the development of industry positions ‎and proposals, participation in hearings, and engagement with regulators, stakeholders, and industry ‎coalitions.‎ 
• Interested candidates should have a strong understanding of the chemical & environmental policy space regarding technical and regulatory processes as this individual will play a crucial role in representing client priorities and ensuring that client policies and positions are effectively communicated to government officials and other relevant stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Lead execution of priorities for regulatory committees and working groups for multiple association clients. This role includes the development of strategic action plans, addressing specific industry issues, and collaborating with internal teams and client members to achieve objectives.
• Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• • Serving as the technical and regulatory lead for multiple associations in the Industrial & Manufacturing group, overseeing day-to-day execution of the policy agenda, offering strategic guidance on association priorities.
  • Monitoring, evaluating, interpreting, and summarizing complex regulatory information related to issues of interest to clients.
  • Communicating directly with clients and key stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers, on critical issues impacting clients.
  • Manage regulatory and government affairs issue scope, including development of client materials in relation to activity from federal agencies (e.g., regulatory comments). ‎
  • Develop accurate comment letters influencing policies based on analysis of current and proposed regulations, ensuring comments are incorporated into policies. Engage policymakers to clarify or refine client comments, as needed.‎ 
  • Provide input on strategy for client activities and priorities to respond to dynamic policy environment.
  • Identify and analyze emerging issues in federal and state chemical and environmental regulations and policy, ‎including priority client objectives and their alignment with ‎federal and state legislature interests.‎ 
  • Attend meetings with agency staff, public policy or congressional hearings, briefings, coalition meetings, and other events to represent association ‎clients and develop or circulate reports. ‎ 
  • Build relationships with external organizations including identifying potential stakeholders or organizing conference participants and speakers. 
  • Communicate frequently with clients and internal team to meet deadlines and recommend actions, as needed. 
  • Lead multiple client regulatory or technical committees, workgroups, and workstreams to direct progress for strategic priorities. 
• May include other responsibilities and duties that align with the mission and vision of the company, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a public policy discipline or a related field. Master’s degree a plus.

• 8-10 years of experience working in Congress, federal agencies, consulting firms, trade associations, or specialty societies on federal regulatory issues, including experience with chemical and environmental regulations is a plus.‎

• Strong expertise regarding federal regulatory policy is necessary. Deep understanding of current domestic affairs and their political implications is also preferred. Knowledge of state regulatory and policy activity a plus.

• Regulatory affairs experience in technical, compliance, environmental, or policy-driven environments.

• Excellent people skills are crucial for success, including relationship building and maintenance skills, demonstrating ability to function as a positive collaborator.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail. A proven initiative-taker with the ability to direct and manage projects is ideal.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills, will aid in a multi-task-oriented work environment.

• Computer experience including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, with a “Can Do” approach to diverse software packages.

• Willingness to travel.

Physical Demands

This job is in Washington, D.C. Kellen operates in a hybrid working environment (i.e., working both in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and remotely on other days of the week). The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and telephones. The ability to perform computer work for eight or more hours a day in an office setting is required.

Travel Requirements

• Travel is an essential duty of the position, up to 15% of the time.

Kellen EEO Statement

Kellen does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of Kellen to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.