Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs - Northwest (Olympia)

Position Summary: The Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs is responsible for leading WSPA's legislative and regulatory advocacy in Washington and Oregon across an assigned portfolio of issues. The position evaluates proposed legislation, regulations, and related policy developments; develops and recommends advocacy strategies and positions; and represents WSPA before legislators, regulatory agencies, and other decision-makers. The Director works closely with WSPA members, lobbyists, technical experts, consultants, industry partners, and other stakeholders to develop informed positions and advance industry priorities. The role requires strong independent judgment, strategic thinking, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to understand complex policy and technical issues and translate them into effective advocacy strategies. Support for local issues may be provided as needed.

Essential Functions: Lead development and execution of legislative and regulatory advocacy strategies in Washington and Oregon across assigned issue areas. Evaluate proposed legislation, regulations, and agency actions; assess potential impacts on members; and develop recommended WSPA positions, priorities, and responses. Anticipate emerging legislative and regulatory issues, identify strategic implications, and recommend when and how WSPA should engage. Integrate relevant technical information, member expertise, political considerations, and outside analysis into advocacy strategy and decision-making, including directing technical consultants and subject-matter experts as needed. Represent WSPA before legislators, legislative staff, regulatory agencies, hearings, technical working groups, task forces, and other government forums. Prepare and deliver testimony, presentations, comment letters, narrative reports, talking points, and other advocacy materials. Build and maintain effective relationships with policymakers, agency staff, members, lobbyists, industry associations, coalitions, and other stakeholders necessary to advance WSPA priorities. Direct and coordinate member, technical, consultant, lobbyist, and coalition resources in support of legislative and regulatory advocacy. Provide strategic leadership for assigned WSPA committees, including setting priorities, facilitating member consensus, guiding issue strategy, and overseeing related budgets and consultants. Support local and other regional policy matters as needed.

Qualifications: Juris Doctor strongly preferred; bachelor's degree required. Approximately 15 years of progressive, relevant experience in government affairs, regulatory affairs, public policy, law, industry advocacy, or a related field, with consideration given to candidates with less experience based on the relevance and depth of their experience. Significant experience with Washington and Oregon legislative and regulatory processes, including direct engagement with policymakers and regulatory agencies and a strong working knowledge of legislative procedures, agency rulemaking processes, and the functions of key state regulatory agencies. Experience in the energy, petroleum, environmental, natural resources, or related industries preferred. Experience analyzing statutes, code and research and providing external communications to broad audiences with varied knowledge levels of the topic. Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with limited supervision.

Key Skills and Competencies: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver persuasive presentations, narrative reports, testimony, comment letters, and other advocacy materials. Ability to understand and distill complex legislative, regulatory, policy, and technical issues for varied audiences. Strong strategic thinking and judgment, including the ability to identify priorities, evaluate competing considerations, and recommend a course of action. Strong facilitation skills, including the ability to lead member discussions, develop consensus, and translate member input into clear positions. Ability to work effectively across a broad range of environmental, energy, safety, operational, and related policy issues, including matters outside the Director's immediate subject-matter expertise. Ability to manage multiple complex policy and advocacy matters simultaneously and deliver high-quality work within legislative and regulatory deadlines. Ability to build credibility and work effectively with members, policymakers, agency staff, lobbyists, technical experts, and other stakeholders.

Working Conditions: Travel within Washington and Oregon is required, generally several days per month, with periods of increased travel depending on legislative sessions, regulatory proceedings, meetings, and other business needs. Limited travel to other Western states may be required. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. Supervisory Responsibility Sr. Manager, CA Policy and Multi-State Consultants

Physical Requirements: This position requires the employee to be on the road through the use of air and ground travel. Perform essential networking and relationship building duties, including but not limited to fluctuating schedule which includes evenings, late night, early morning and weekends that require talking and hearing. The employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Equal Employment Opportunity PolicyThe Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a non-discriminatory employment environment for all of its employees. It is WSPA's long-standing policy to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental impairment, military service, citizenship of individuals legally authorized to work in the United States or any other basis prohibited by law.