The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

Job Title: Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

About NEMA:

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and technologies that power, protect, connect, and light our world. Together, our members contribute a full 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide over 580,000 American jobs, adding more than $330 billion to the U.S. economy. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, leadership, and agility.

Position Overview:

The Senior Vice President, Government Affairs leads NEMA’s government relations and advocacy strategy, advancing NEMA’s mission and member priorities at both the federal and state levels. As a member of the NEMA Management Team, this leader develops and executes the electroindustry’s advocacy strategy, aligning with NEMA’s strategic plan and annual objectives.

This position reports directly to the President and CEO, this role serves on NEMA’s Management Team. Based in Arlington, Virginia, with periodic travel.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead an outcomes-driven federal and state advocacy program, including trade and tariff issues affecting global supply chains.

• Set and execute NEMA’s federal and state policy agenda with member leaders; define success metrics and deliver regular performance reporting.
• Represent NEMA with senior leaders across the executive branch, Congress, regulators, and states; build durable relationships and advance priorities in key forums (e.g., DOE, DOT, EPA, DOC, USTR, DOD).
• Build and lead coalitions with trade associations and allied organizations to achieve shared advocacy outcomes.
• Facilitate and staff Board-level government affairs committee. Lead member representatives to develop consensus policy positions and mobilize advocacy, including Capitol Hill engagement and facility visits.
• Partner with NEMA Communications to align advocacy messaging and communications strategies and tactics, including rapid response on emerging issues.
• Lead and develop a high-performing government relations team.
• Oversee advocacy operations—external consultants, budget, and compliance—ensuring full adherence to lobbying laws, registration, and reporting requirements.
• Expand member value by identifying and launching new services and intellectual property that support NEMA’s advocacy objectives.
• Provide strategic governance of NEMAPAC—drive participation and fundraising with the Board of Governors and PAC Board, and ensure full compliance with Federal Election Commission requirements.
• Drive cross-functional execution as a member of NEMA’s Management Team. Model NEMA’s Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Leadership, and Agility.

Competencies:

• Executive relationship builder with strong presence and deep command of policy and regulatory processes; leverages a trusted network to advance NEMA priorities through formal and informal channels.
• Exceptional communicator in verbal and written skills, persuasive advocate with credibility at senior levels; able to serve as a media-ready spokesperson for the industry.
• Strategic, innovative and collaborative leader who is solutions-oriented and results-driven; provides policy thought leadership in close partnership with the CEO.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment, managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines, deploys team effectively with clear and regular guidance on delegation and accountability.
• Experienced people leader with a track record as a magnet for talent, enjoys building and developing a team and effectively provides feedback for performance improvement and career growth.

Experience and Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a public policy-related field required, master’s degree preferred. Minimum 10 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or a related field. Trade association experience, inclusive of energy and international trade/tariff policy required; manufacturing, electroindustry, or adjacent industries, strongly preferred. Capitol Hill and/or federal executive branch experience preferred.

NEMA offers a competitive salary and eligibility for incentive pay, and excellent benefits package, including paid holidays, personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health/dental insurance, health savings plan, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy.

NEMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Interested individuals should apply directly to NEMA at: NEMA CAREERS