Government Relations Manager

Location

IBWA maintains an office in Alexandria, Virginia. This is a 100% remote position, however the candidate should be based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

The Manager of Government Relations supports the development and execution of IBWA’s federal and state advocacy programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Government Relations, the Manager independently manages assigned policy issues, advocacy projects, and stakeholder engagement activities while working closely with the Vice President and Senior Director of Government Relations to advance the association’s priorities.

The Manager is responsible for monitoring and analyzing legislative developments; researching policy issues; preparing advocacy materials; coordinating meetings with policymakers, members, and industry stakeholders; and managing the planning, logistics, and follow-up for government relations committee meetings and advocacy activities. The position also supports grassroots engagement, coalition coordination, state-level advocacy, and Political Action Committee (PAC) administration. 

A successful candidate will be a proactive, detail-oriented professional who can manage projects from planning through execution, communicate complex policy issues clearly, and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory developments affecting the bottled water industry.
• Research policy issues and develop legislative summaries, issue briefs, talking points, testimony, regulatory comments, and other advocacy materials to support IBWA’s policy positions and government relations priorities.
• Independently manage assigned policy issues and advocacy projects, coordinating stakeholder input, tracking developments, and advancing initiatives in collaboration with the Vice President and Senior Director of Government Relations.
• Coordinate engagement with congressional offices, federal agencies, state and local officials, IBWA members, industry partners, and advocacy coalitions to advance shared policy objectives.
• Manage logistics and substantive preparation for Government Relations Committee including agendas, member input, meeting materials, and follow-up on action items and committee priorities.
• Coordinate member advocacy and grassroots initiatives, including congressional fly-ins, policymaker meetings, facility tours, action alerts, and other activities that advance IBWA’s legislative and regulatory objectives.
• Prepare legislative and regulatory updates for members and contribute government relations content to IBWA publications, newsletters, reports, and other association communications.
• Assist with administration of the IBWA Political Action Committee (PAC) and perform other government relations duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three to seven years of relevant experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, regulatory affairs, or a related field.
• Recent experience working on Capitol Hill or within a federal agency or administration is highly preferred.
• Strong research, analytical, writing, and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy developments into clear, concise materials.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate meetings and stakeholders, and meet deadlines independently.
• Ability to build effective relationships with policymakers, association members, coalition partners, and other stakeholders, and to exercise sound judgment in a collaborative environment.
• Familiarity with water policy, sustainability, recycling, packaging, environmental stewardship, or public health issues preferred. Experience with trade associations, coalitions, or grassroots advocacy is a plus.

Compensation

• The salary range for this position is $60,000–$80,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.