Executive Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications (Washington)

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS

Personal Care Products Council

Washington, DC | Hybrid

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) seeks an accomplished senior executive to lead the organization’s public affairs, policy communications, media relations, and external engagement efforts.

Reporting directly to the President and CEO and serving as a member of PCPC’s executive leadership team, the EVP will help shape and execute the organization’s policy and communications strategy and serve as a highly credible voice for the cosmetics and personal care products industry.

This is a policy-driven public affairs leadership role , not simply a communications position. The successful candidate will understand complex regulatory, political, and policy issues; translate them into compelling narratives and advocacy strategies; build consensus among diverse member companies; and effectively engage policymakers, media, industry partners, and other stakeholders.

Given the importance of PCPC’s relationships with FDA, congressional policymakers, media, industry stakeholders, and other national trade associations, a strong preference will be given to candidates based in the Washington, DC area .

THE MANDATE

The EVP will:

Lead strategy. Develop and execute an integrated public affairs, advocacy, communications, and external engagement strategy aligned with PCPC’s strategic priorities.

Lead external engagement. Develop trusted relationships with media, industry organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders. Represent PCPC publicly and serve as a principal external voice for the organization.

Shape the narrative. Translate complex scientific, legal, regulatory, and policy issues into clear, persuasive messages that advance the industry’s interests and strengthen PCPC’s voice.

Drive advocacy communications. Work closely with government affairs, regulatory, legal, scientific, and other PCPC teams to develop strategies around federal and state legislative and regulatory priorities.

Build alignment. Navigate differing perspectives among member companies and build consensus around common industry positions. Cultivate strong relationships with key volunteer leaders and engage them effectively in PCPC’s advocacy efforts.

Build trust and reputation. Establish and maintain a positive, credible reputation for PCPC and the overall industry among key stakeholders, partners, media, and other influential audiences. Earn trust through consistent, thoughtful engagement, sound judgment, transparency, and follow-through, recognizing that strong relationships and institutional credibility are essential to effective advocacy.

Committee engagement. Serve as the staff lead for PCPC’s Communications Steering Committee, working closely with the Committee Chair and member company representatives to establish priorities, develop agendas, facilitate meetings, build consensus, and advance committee initiatives aligned with PCPC’s strategic objectives.

Lead the function and drive partnership. Manage and develop the Public Affairs & Communications team; establish priorities, allocate resources, and oversee departmental performance. Develop and manage the department’s annual budget, including forecasting resource needs, establishing spending priorities, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring resources are aligned with PCPC’s strategic objectives. Build strong partnerships across PCPC and with external stakeholders and provide candid, strategic counsel to the CEO and Board.

Manage issues and reputation. Anticipate emerging policy and reputational issues and partner with member companies to develop timely, coordinated responses to breaking news, crises, and other developments.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

The successful candidate will be able to take a complicated issue, quickly understand its substance and political dynamics, determine an appropriate advocacy strategy, develop the narrative, align PCPC’s membership, and effectively communicate the organization’s position to the right audience.

This individual will be a trusted strategic counselor to the CEO and Board, an effective advocate for PCPC’s members, a collaborative leader within the organization, and a credible external voice for the industry.

The successful candidate will also proactively shape the industry’s narrative by translating complex issues into clear, compelling stories that resonate with policymakers, media, and other audiences and strengthen understanding of the essential role of the beauty and personal care industry.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned public affairs executive who combines policy expertise, political judgment, communications excellence, executive presence, and the ability to build consensus and influence others.

The candidate will bring:

Policy & Regulatory Expertise

A sophisticated understanding of the U.S. federal and state policy and regulatory environment, with the ability to quickly understand complex issues and assess their political, regulatory, and reputational implications. Experience with the FDA and regulated industries is highly valued, as is familiarity with the regulatory environment affecting cosmetics and personal care products.

Trade Association & Membership Experience

Meaningful experience working in or closely with a trade association or membership organization, including an understanding of how to represent diverse member interests, develop consensus, and translate those interests into effective advocacy.

Integrated Public Affairs Leadership

A proven record of developing and executing integrated public affairs and policy communications strategies. The candidate should understand how communications, advocacy, government relations, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement work together to achieve policy objectives.

Public Affairs Campaign Experience

A track record of developing and executing public affairs campaigns that bring together advocacy, communications, coalition engagement, stakeholder outreach, and other tactics to advance policy or reputational objectives. Experience leading multi-channel campaigns and mobilizing diverse stakeholders around a common objective is preferred.

Political Acumen

Strong instincts for Washington and state political dynamics, including the ability to anticipate developments, understand stakeholder motivations, identify opportunities and risks, and determine when and how PCPC should engage.

Executive Presence

The credibility and confidence to engage effectively with CEOs, corporate executives, Board members, policymakers, journalists, association leaders, and other senior stakeholders. The candidate must be comfortable representing PCPC publicly and advising the CEO and Board candidly.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strategic relationships across a broad network of stakeholders, including coalition partners, NGOs, advocacy organizations, industry groups, scientific organizations and other external influencers. The candidate should have a track record of identifying opportunities for collaboration, aligning interests among diverse stakeholders, and leveraging partnerships to advance policy, advocacy, and reputation objectives while strengthening the industry's voice and credibility.

Leadership & Execution

A demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, establish priorities, manage resources, drive collaboration, and execute effectively in a fast-moving environment. The candidate should be strategic while remaining willing to engage directly in important issues and deliverables.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, policy communications, government relations, advocacy, or a related field.
• Significant experience working in a complex regulatory environment, ideally within a trade association, consumer products industry, public affairs firm, or government-facing organization.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing public affairs, advocacy, communications, media relations, and reputation-management strategies.
• Proven ability to support advocacy efforts through message development, coalition building, campaign strategy, and execution.
• Meaningful trade association or membership organization experience, with demonstrated success building consensus among diverse members and leaders.
• Strong familiarity with federal and state legislative and regulatory processes.
• Experience engaging directly with policymakers, regulators, government agencies, media, industry organizations, coalitions, and other external stakeholders.
• Proven experience serving as a spokesperson or senior external representative.
• Experience advising and working with a CEO, Board of Directors, C-suite executives, and other senior leaders.