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Director of Government Affairs, reporting to the President and CEO, promotes and advances the interests of the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) to enable AAEI members to operate without undue legislation, regulation, or taxation restrictions.  The Director leverages extensive professional networks developed and maintained, as well as a strong and evolving knowledge base in public policy, preferably international trade.  Role accountabilities include but are not limited to ensuring AAEI members’ compliance with licensing and other regulations at the federal, state, and local levels; representing and advocating for AAEI members’ interests regarding public policy that furthers the interests of importers, exporters, and trade service providers. The Director also supports business development by advocating for and representing the association’s business interests in states, locations, or regions supported by the role. The Director contributes to the development of an annual strategy based on the AAEI Board of Directors’ known issues and successfully executes the strategy once approved.  Also plays an important role in media, grassroots, conference, and community involvement activities serving to elevate the AAEI’s presence and brand. The role works with a high level of accountability and autonomy and may or may not have direct reports.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Represents AAEI before executive agencies, foreign embassies, and Congress
• Draft talking points, one-pagers, and letters on key industry issues to be sent to federal legislators and regulators
• Create education and advocacy resources related to legislative priorities
• Facilitate interaction between AAEI members and public policy leaders
• Track and inventory legislative and regulatory priorities with a real-time tracking system
• Field media requests and assign AAEI leadership to public interactions and appearances.
• Organize conference calls, webinars, and other informational tools to assist AAEI members with their specific priorities
• Provide support for committees and workgroups focused on government affairs
• Collaborate with industry partners, stakeholders, and other trade associations on joint legislative and regulatory initiatives
• Stay apprised of relevant international policy issues
• Perform legislative research and make policy recommendations to senior staff
• Support AAEI leadership in presentations, external communications, meeting logistics, and other related duties
• Assist in formulating legislative strategies and communications efforts
• Manage vendor relationships
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Direct report to President/CEO

Benefits Include:

• Medical coverage offered
• Dental coverage offered
• Vision coverage offered
• Retirement planning with a 401(k)-program offered after 6 months, employer matching contributions available up to 4%
• Flexible work schedule
• Company membership within ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) to encourage employees’ professional development and regional networking
• Annual Bonus Eligibility

Work Schedule and Pay: Hybrid work schedule and pay (TBD)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant public policy and/or business field
• 5-7 years in a federal government (GS 9-11), congressional office, political campaign, trade association or corporation
• Understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process
• Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, preferably with media outreach experience
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships
• Strong organizational skills
• Travel: approximately 5-10% required

About American Association of Exporters and Importers

The American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) is the premier trade organization representing U.S. companies engaged in global trade. We are recognized as technical experts regarding the day-to-day import and export of goods including the facilitation of global trade. AAEI advocates on behalf of U.S. companies on trade policy issues before the U.S. Congress, trade compliance practices and operations before Executive Agencies, and multi-lateral organizations including the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization. AAEI plays an important role in providing education to international trade compliance professionals through its ten (10) standing committees which review proposed trade policy and regulations for comment, off-the-record webinars with government officials, and the Association’s annual conference, seminars and trade briefings.

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