Director, Regulatory Affairs

Kellen stands as a global leader in providing management and services to professional and trade organizations. We empower Board leaders by offering operational frameworks and strategic guidance to better serve their organization's mission and vision.

As a dedicated professional services company, we offer solutions to organizations, such as association management, public affairs, marketing, meeting management, education, and strategic communication. Leveraging our expertise across diverse industries including healthcare, food and beverage, buildings and materials, and technology, as well as our global perspective with a presence in North America and Europe, we collaborate with over 100 organizations to help achieve their goals.

Understanding the importance of a strong and effective Board of Directors, we offer customized management solutions that address the unique needs of each organization we partner with.

Are you interested in making an impact on the Food and Nutrition Industry? Kellen is an association management firm seeking an experienced professional to serve as a Director of Regulatory Affairs to support clients in the food industry. A successful candidate will be a key contributor to the Public Affairs team, developing and executing strategies to achieve client objectives with a deep knowledge of the complex regulatory landscape.

They will maintain effective liaison with designated federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and relevant coalitions involved in issue-related programs. Interested candidates should have a strong understanding of the food industry regarding regulatory processes as this individual will play a crucial role in representing client priorities and ensuring that client policies and positions are effectively communicated to government officials and other relevant stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serving as the regulatory lead for multiple associations in the food industry, overseeing day-to-day execution of the policy agenda, offering strategic guidance on association priorities.
• Monitoring, evaluating, interpreting, and summarizing complex regulatory information related to food products of interest to clients.
• Communicating directly with clients and key stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers, on critical issues impacting clients.

• Lead execution of priorities for regulatory committees and working groups for multiple food association clients representing industry food categories and/or ingredients. This role includes the development of strategic action plans, addressing specific industry issues, and collaborating with internal teams and client members to achieve objectives.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage regulatory and government affairs issue scope, including development of client materials in relation to activity from federal agencies (e.g., regulatory comments).
• Develop accurate comment letters influencing policies based on analysis of current and proposed regulations, ensuring comments are incorporated to policies. Engage policymakers to clarify or refine client comments, as needed.
• Provide input on strategy for client activities and priorities to respond to dynamic policy environment.
• Identify and analyze emerging issues in federal and state food and nutrition policy, including priority client objectives and their alignment with Administration and state legislature interests.
• Manage relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders, including appropriate Administration officials and professional organizations to promote regulatory agenda and execute strategic objectives.
• Prepare materials for clients to be utilized in official meetings. Brief stakeholders, client leadership, and government affairs colleagues on priorities for federal advocacy.
• Attend meetings with federal agency staff, public policy or congressional hearings, briefings, coalition meetings, and other events to represent association clients and develop or circulate reports.
• Identify and analyze emerging issues in proposed federal and state policy, including priority client advocacy objectives.
• Build relationships with external organizations including identifying potential stakeholders or organizing conference participants and speakers.
• Communicate frequently with clients and internal team to meet deadlines and recommend actions, as needed.
• Lead multiple client regulatory committees, work groups, and work streams to direct progress for strategic priorities.
• May include other responsibilities as assigned.

Other duties that align with the mission and vision of the company, as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a discipline related to public policy or a related field. Master’s degree a plus.
• 8-10 years experience working in Congress, federal agencies, consulting firms, trade associations, or specialty societies on federal regulatory issues, including experience with food and nutrition issues.
• Strong expertise regarding federal…