Job Details
Position Summary
The Director, Political Affairs & Action fills a critical role for the association by leading political advocacy and action among elected officials, IFPA, and its members. The Director is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and management of IFPA's political activity and compliance with rules governing political activity. The Director manages IFPA's political action committee, FreshPAC, the fresh produce and floral industry's premier source of giving and connection with political campaigns. FreshPAC's mission is to drive the industry forward and aid IFPA in growing a stronger, more influential association.
Position Responsibilities
Leads actions and engagement that contribute to and influence political campaigns and elected officials on behalf of fresh produce and floral.
- Recognized leader in political engagement and action, well-connected in federal-level fundraising and campaign networks.
- Seamlessly collaborate with the public policy team, to develop and implement a political action plan consistent with the IFPA priorities, Public Policy Agenda, Strategic Plan action plan.
- Manages, tracks, and ensures organizational compliance with all federal lobbying disclosures, ethics rules, PAC accounting and Federal Election Commission guidance.
Manages daily operation of FreshPAC, including development, initiation, tracking, and scheduling of political campaign and fundraising activities and events.
- With the advice and counsel of the public policy team, planning and executing targeted political giving and fundraisers, including leading IFPA sponsorship and collaboration on hosting and sponsoring political and campaign events.
- Support the Chief Public Policy Officer (CPPO) and Vice President, U.S. Government Relations (VP, USGR) in the active engagement of IFPA's Political Affairs and U.S. Government Relations Councils, volunteer member-leader advisory groups, including meetings, agenda, and priority planning.
- Identify, develop, and maintain grassroots and outreach tools to most effectively influence and impact outcomes on key industry issues and priorities.
- In coordination with the VP, USGR, initiate and catalog association member assets related to political giving and action, including managing PAC resources in collaboration with the finance division.
- Design plans and programs that exponentially expand and maintain member participation and funding in FreshPAC.
General
- Supports the public policy team in the strategic identification of political concerns and opportunities that advance execution of IFPA's Public Policy Agenda.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Position Information
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Bachelor's degree or higher, plus five (5) years of policy or political experience (or combination of equivalent education & experience).
- Experience managing political campaigns and or political action committee strongly preferred.
- Experience ensuring compliance with all relevant federal lobbying disclosure, ethics rules, PAC accounting and Federal Election Commission guidance.
- Experience and understanding in grassroots and PAC software programs.
- Keen understanding of federal government and the U.S. political system, including relationships with the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and political campaign networks.
- Strong communication and networking skills, including written, verbal, and public speaking.
- Ability to manage multiple ongoing activities in fast-paced environment and prioritize competing projects.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to lead and interact with association members/customers including the ability to interact within the industry on their terms and at a conversational level.
- Member-service focused, motivated and a positive attitude toward IFPA's mission.
- Ability to work independently on projects and collaborate internally and externally with allies and stakeholders.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Zoom, with the ability to quickly adapt to using new technologies.
Measures of Success
- Successfully develops and executes plans, work product and actions related to political affairs.
- Increase investment in PAC, grassroots participation, and targeted issues campaigns.
- Builds a network of members, allies and government stakeholders related to policy objectives.
- Works with the team to incorporate policy objectives into relevant political content, events, and deliverables.
- Supports and elevates IFPA's political influence at the national level.
Location
This position is based out of our Washington D.C. office.
Travel
Travel within the US is required with advance notice; approximately 4 - 6 business trips per year.