Vice President of Government Affairs (Remote)

Our company provides full-service management to trade and professional associations as well as specialized services including non-profit financial management and event coordination. We are seeking a full-time Vice President of Government Affairs for one of our trade association clients. This association is part of a rapidly growing, dynamic industry and we are looking for someone who has a passion for building a world-class advocacy campaign for an industry that provides durable and sustainable surfacing for work, life, and play.

The Vice President of Government Affairs will lead advocacy for the synthetic turf industry, working with association leadership, the board of directors, contract lobbyists and consultants, and other key stakeholders. This position will report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Synthetic Turf Council with oversight by the Chair of the Board of Directors.

This position is ideal for someone who works well independently, has a passion for sports and the outdoors, and wants to make a meaningful impact by shaping public policy that expands opportunities for play, recreation, and community wellness through sustainable surface solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the overall government affairs strategy – Create, implement, and continually refine a comprehensive advocacy plan aligned with the association’s business goals, mission, and strategic priorities; anticipate political/policy risks and opportunities; advise senior leadership (e.g., CEO) on government-related matters.
  
• Build and maintain key relationships – Establish and cultivate strong, bipartisan relationships with elected officials (governors, state legislators and regulators), their staff, administration/regulatory officials, agencies, trade associations, coalitions, and other stakeholders/influencers.
• Monitor, track, and analyze legislation and regulations – Proactively track federal/state/local legislative, regulatory, and political developments; analyze potential impacts on the association; identify emerging trends/issues; prepare summaries, impact assessments, position papers, and briefings for internal leaders and members.
• Advocate for the association’s positions – Manage and coordinate with contract lobbyists/consultants; represent the association before lawmakers, regulators, and agencies; develop and advance policy priorities; draft/prepare testimony, talking points, letters, comments, advocacy materials, and responses; lobby directly or coordinate grassroots/grasstops efforts.
• Lead advocacy execution and engagement – Drive coalition-building, stakeholder outreach, and mobilization (e.g., member fly-ins, briefings, campaigns); coordinate with internal teams (legal, Board, committees) to align policy positions, messaging, and strategies.

Requirements:

Education & Experience - Bachelor’s degree in policy management, political science or another related field, or a combination of education and experience in a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in advocacy and policy development, experience working with federal and state governments a plus.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: 

• Proven demonstration of developing advocacy plans.
• Demonstrated success advancing legislative or regulatory priorities at the federal and/or state levels.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in complex, high profile political environments
• Experience supervising third party firms and consultants.
• Ability to communicate effectively to multiple levels in the association, including executive leadership.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally.
• High degree of organization and attention to
• Experience working in the outdoors, recreation, sports, and/or sustainability sectors a plus.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., as needed.
• Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time.

Supervisory Responsibilities – The role will involve direct supervision of contract lobbyists engaged across multiple states and jurisdictions. Additionally, the position will oversee third-party consultants, specialty contractors, and other external advisors.

Travel – occasional travel may be required (5-8 times per year, 2-5 days at a time) for client meetings/conferences and public hearings; some international travel.  

Job Location – This is predominantly a telecommuting position.

About the Association:

The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association serving the synthetic turf industry. Its mission is to lead, educate and advocate for the synthetic turf industry. Founded in 2003, STC assists buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. It is a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf, as well as technical guidance on the selection, installation, maintenance, and environmentally responsible disposal of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies.

About the Company:

Stringfellow Management Group (SMG) is a growing, progressive, employee-centric organization advancing the missions of its client associations. SMG is dedicated to the professional development and growth of all of its employees. As an equal opportunity employer, SMG is committed to creating a work environment where every individual is valued and feels empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply; SMG knows that our differences fuel excellence and creativity.

As the association management company, SMG will hire this position on behalf of the association client, STC.

Our Core Values:

• Growth-Oriented: mentorship; professional development; SMG growth.
• Emotional Intelligence: empathy; effective communication/social skills; self-awareness; self-regulation; motivation.
• Reliability.
• Innovative: encourages creativity – looking to the future.
• Collaborative: team-oriented.
• Adaptable.
• Solutions-oriented.

Benefits: 

Benefits include paid vacation and sick days, paid Volunteer Day, health insurance (employer pays the majority of premium for individual coverage), dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement plan match, additional voluntary benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and professional development support.

Applying for this position:

Please provide a cover letter when applying for this position.

No phone inquiries will be accepted.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Salary Range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $145,000-$165,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only.