The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

OVERVIEW

The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association for America’s 21,500 independent community grocers. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers, and service suppliers.

The NGA Government Relations (GR) team manages government relations, political activities, member casework, and more. We lobby on issues across a range of policies, including food, nutrition, antitrust, payments, labor and employment, tax, privacy, pharmacy, among others.

POSITION SUMMARY

NGA is seeking a seasoned Senior Director of Government Relations to lead and advance the association’s advocacy on key business policy issues, especially with republicans, affecting the independent grocery industry. This role is responsible for developing and executing federal legislative and regulatory strategies, representing NGA with policymakers and coalition partners, and advising NGA leadership and members on complex policy matters. The position offers significant autonomy and external visibility.

Reporting to the head of government relations, the Senior Director will help shape NGA’s advocacy priorities, drive member engagement initiatives, and guide business policy communications in coordination with our communications team. This role is based in Washington, DC, and is primarily in?office to support effective lobbying and in?person engagement, with limited hybrid flexibility offered when appropriate. A proactive, results?driven professional will thrive in this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Government Relations

• Lead NGA’s federal legislative and regulatory strategy across a portfolio of business policy issues, like taxes, finance, economics, payments, labor and employment, and other assigned areas.
• Provide strategic analysis and actionable insights on legislation and regulations for NGA leadership and members.
• Provide strategic input on political giving priorities to align contributions with organizational goals and advocacy objectives.
• Serve as NGA’s representative in coalitions, industry groups, and meetings with policymakers and regulators.
• Advocate NGA’s policy priorities before Congress and the executive branch, including developing and executing engagement strategies with key offices and agencies.
• Develop of advocacy materials, including testimony, regulatory comments, issue papers, briefs, and policy positions.
• Manage and guide the work of consultants to refine policy strategy, engage priority members, and advance advocacy objectives.

Communications & Thought Leadership

• Oversee and contribute to NGA’s government relations communications, including the weekly policy newsletter and timely member alerts.
• Ensure consistent, clear, and strategic messaging on policy issues.
• Collaborate with internal communications and events teams to integrate policy messaging into NGA programming and events.

Operational & Organizational Leadership

• Provide leadership in planning and executing NGA and industry events involving government relations and advocacy.
• Ensure effective project management across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives and broader organizational strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of NGA’s mission.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes and advocacy strategy.

• 5-8 years of Hill, Administration, and/or government relations experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading advocacy efforts on business, economic, or retail-related policy issues.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic policy initiatives and influence outcomes.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to build and sustain relationships with policymakers, members, and coalition partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting high-level advocacy materials.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to work effectively across teams.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Interested parties should submit their resume and cover letter to: https://nationalgrocers.bamboohr.com/careers/3. The base salary range for this position is $100,000-115,000 per year depending on qualifications.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

NGA is an equal opportunity employer offering generous benefits including partial employee paid health and dental insurance, 11 paid holidays and one floating holiday, generous PTO, hybrid work schedule opportunity, and 401(k) eligibility starting on the 1st quarter of the following 6 months of employment.

About National Grocers Association

NGA works to ensure independent, community-focused retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to succeed and better serve the consumer through its policies, advocacy, programs and services. Independent community grocers are critical to the strength and vitality of the people they serve. By advocating for the growth and continuing innovation of these local independent business leaders, we help bring choice, convenience and value to hard-working Americans, and ensure ongoing economic advancement and prosperity for our country. It is our core belief that independent community grocers bring strength and vitality to the markets they serve. Independent community grocers are the true entrepreneurs of the grocery industry, passionately committed to their customers, their associates and the markets they serve. Privately owned by families, or by employees, these retailers operate a variety of retail formats, and while most are serviced by wholesale distributors, others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Independents differentiate in the marketplace based on the needs of the local community, while showing a strong commitment to civic life and providing their neighbors quality goods and nourishing foods.

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