Government Affairs Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

NRMCA - National Ready Mixed Concrete AssociationJOB TITLE:Director, Government AffairsREPORTS TO:Chief Advocacy OfficerNUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS:0DEPARTMENT:Government AffairsFUNCTION:Supports NRMCA's federal legislative advocacy, including legislative and political strategy, congressional relationship-building, and connecting NRMCA members to the association's advocacy program.LOCATION:Alexandria, VADATE OF UPDATE:August 2026SUMMARY:The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for leading a significant share of NRMCA's advocacy on Capitol Hill. Reporting to the Chief Advocacy Officer, this role develops and executes legislative and political strategy, builds and sustains relationships with Members of Congress and key staff, and helps connect NRMCA members directly to the association's advocacy work. This role focuses on NRMCA's core legislative priorities, including transportation and infrastructure, energy and environment, labor and workforce, and tax and trade.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Legislative & Political StrategyDevelop and execute legislative strategy across NRMCA's priority issue areas in coordination with the Chief Advocacy OfficerMonitor, analyze and report on federal legislation affecting the ready mixed concrete industry, providing timely guidance to the Chief Advocacy Officer and internal stakeholders on legislative implications and opportunitiesDraft legislative proposals, testimony, comment letters, talking points, and other advocacy materialsIdentify and create opportunities to proactively advance NRMCA's legislative agenda, including bill introduction, cosponsorship strategy, and coalition lettersSupport the Chief Advocacy Officer on political strategy, including coordination with NRMCA's political program and CONCRETEPACCapitol Hill Advocacy & Relationship BuildingServe as a primary point of contact for NRMCA on Capitol Hill, cultivating and maintaining a well-developed network of relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and leadership officesRepresent NRMCA in meetings with legislators and staff, coalitions, and industry partnersBuild and manage relationships and coalitions with allied associations and trade groups on shared legislative prioritiesTrack floor and committee activity relevant to NRMCA's priorities and coordinate rapid-response advocacy as neededCoordination with Contract Lobbying FirmsEngage with NRMCA's contract lobbying firms to help craft strategy and tactics to advance NRMCA's legislative prioritiesServe as the day-to-day point of contact for NRMCA's contract lobbying firms, ensuring their work is aligned with NRMCA's legislative priorities and strategyAssign and coordinate specific legislative asks, meetings, and deliverables with contract lobbyists, and review their work product for accuracy and consistency with NRMCA's positionsMember EngagementSupport programs that connect NRMCA members to the association's advocacy efforts, including fly-ins, Hill visits, and plant toursTranslate legislative developments into clear issue papers, member alerts, and updates for NRMCA leadership, staff, and the Government Affairs CommitteeHelp build and mobilize a grass-tops and grassroots advocacy network that communicates legislative opportunities clearly to member companies and engages them in advocacy activitiesInternal CollaborationWork closely with the Chief Advocacy Officer and the broader Government Affairs team to align legislative strategy with NRMCA's overall policy prioritiesCoordinate with the Director, Regulatory Affairs to align legislative and regulatory advocacy on issues that span bothReport to and receive guidance and input from the Government Affairs Committee on legislative priorities and member impactContribute to advocacy planning, budgeting, and reporting as needed Travel and Work ScheduleTravel required to NRMCA's Annual Convention (Spring) and ConcreteWorks (Fall)Periodic travel to member company sites, industry events, state/regional conferences and PAC eventsAttendance at fundraising events, including dinners and breakfasts, occasionally outside of normal business hoursEstimated overall travel 25% REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:5–8 years of recent, relevant experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, or related work, with meaningful Capitol Hill experience (e.g., as congressional staff, a lobbyist, or in an association/trade government affairs role)Relationships with Members of Congress and key Congressional staff on relevant committees of jurisdictionDemonstrated understanding of the federal legislative process and experience building relationships with congressional officesExperience across one or more of NRMCA's core policy areas preferred: transportation/infrastructure, energy/environment, labor/workforce, or tax/tradeExcellent written and oral communication skills, including experience drafting legislative and advocacy materialsAbility to manage a broad, fast-moving portfolio, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independentlyDemonstrated, progressive use of AI tools (e.g., Claude, Microsoft Copilot) in day-to-day legislative work - using AI to accelerate bill and legislative research, drafting, and tracking, and a track record of adopting new AI capabilities as they become available rather than using them only incidentallyBachelor's/Undergraduate Degree requiredAdvanced degree (J.D., M.P.P., or related) a plus but not requiredDESIRED SKILLS AND TRAITS:Excitement to learn about and represent the ready mixed concrete industrySelf-starting approach to identifying and pursuing advocacy opportunitiesProactive relationship-builder, comfortable initiating and maintaining connections across Capitol HillStrategic thinker who can translate legislative developments into clear implications and recommendationsStrong interpersonal and relationship-building skills across government, industry, and coalition partnersTeam player mentality toward coworkers inside and outside the departmentProficient in use of Microsoft Office productsCurious, forward-leaning adopter of new AI tools and workflows, continually looking for ways to apply them to improve research, drafting, and day-to-day efficiencyAbility to think outside the box, be creative, and move quickly on emerging issuesNRMCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.