Vice President Government Relations (Arlington)

FMI – The Food Industry Association: We’re Hiring a Vice President of Government Relations & Political Affairs

Do you thrive at building strong relationships with policymakers, members and industry leaders to advance strategic advocacy and political engagement efforts? Are you passionate about public policy and interested in shaping issues that impact the food industry? If so, this role might be for you!

Quick Snapshot: In this role, you’ll advance the interests of FMI members by leading high-impact strategic advocacy initiatives to strengthen member engagement with policymakers. You’ll also design and execute organization-wide priorities, goals and strategies that advance both the association's and the industry's reputation while building and maintaining relationships to increase participation in PAC and advocacy initiatives.

What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Develop and implement strategic lobbying and advocacy plans on legislative and regulatory issues affecting FMI members and the food industry.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and political developments and provide timely guidance to FMI leadership, members, and committees on their potential impact.
• Build and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, congressional committees, Executive Branch officials, agencies, and other key decision-makers.
• Represent FMI's interests with policymakers and serve as a spokesperson on legislative, regulatory, and political issues important to the food industry.
• Develop position papers, letters, testimony, board communications, and other materials that clearly communicate FMI's policy positions.
• Lead FMI Government Relations and Public Affairs Committee meetings, calls, and communications while fostering meaningful member participation.
• Build coalitions with associations, businesses, industry organizations, and other partners to advance shared policy priorities.
• Develop strategies that strengthen member participation in advocacy and political engagement, including opportunities to connect with policymakers and support key industry priorities.
• Lead the strategy, fundraising, administration, and compliance activities for FoodPAC and LEAD, including fundraising and development events.
• Manage lobbying, advocacy, FoodPAC, and LEAD budgets and resources, ensuring activities align with FMI's strategic priorities and financial goals.

Education and Skills You’ll Need to Be Successful:

• College degree in government affairs, political science, public policy, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Ten to fifteen years of government affairs experience with significant experience in lobbying, fundraising, and Executive Branch procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of the federal legislative and regulatory processes, political landscape, and legislative communication strategies. Experience on Capitol Hill, within Executive Branch agencies, or with trade associations.
• Experience developing and executing advocacy and political engagement strategies. Industry or congressional campaign experience is preferred.
• Experience building relationships with policymakers, industry organizations, member companies, and other key partners to advance organizational priorities.
• Experience managing budgets and staff, with the ability to effectively allocate resources and identify opportunities for savings.
• Knowledge of digital tools, grassroots databases, websites, and other technology used to support government affairs activities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, public speaking, influencing, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to represent FMI professionally.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, prioritization, adaptability, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Why FMI? We are the champions for the food industry and the issues that make a difference to our members in the food industry. Our work touches the lives of over 120 million households in the U.S. and representing a $1 trillion industry with over 6 million employees. By joining our team, you will become part of a diverse, engaging, and supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the future of the food retail industry.

Our Benefits: We offer a generous benefits package that includes health benefits, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, paid leave benefits, monthly cell phone reimbursement, a summer hours program allowing you to work only four hours on Fridays during the summer (once your work is done), volunteer opportunities (if you want to give back to your community), the chance to join our employee wellness group and much more!

This position also offers a hybrid work schedule, requiring you to work in our Arlington, Virginia office for a minimum of two full days per week. We offer a $175 monthly transportation reimbursement or a parking space in our building to offset your commuting costs to and from our office. There are additional opportunities for employees to work fully remote throughout the year, including two weeks at the end of August leading up to Labor Day, the week of Thanksgiving and two weeks at the end of December.

*The annual salary range listed reflects the minimum and maximum annual compensation for this position and has been established in good faith and in accordance with Virginia and federal law. Individual salary offers within this range will be based on the candidate's relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, and other job-related factors.

Apply Now: If you're ready to use your expertise to help advance the food industry's priorities, strengthen member engagement, and build meaningful relationships with policymakers and industry leaders, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today!

Learn more about FMI by visiting our website at

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FMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.