Managing Director, Science and Regulatory Affairs

Position Summary:  Under the direction of the General Counsel, responsible for the development, implementation and management of effective science and regulatory policy strategies in support of CropLife America’s advocacy objectives.  Lead research and regulatory advocacy around the organization’s priority issues affecting the ability of CLA members to discover, develop, register, distribute, market, use and dispose of their products.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Direct the management and coordination of the Science & Regulatory Affairs Department in coordination with the General Counsel.  Manage existing and emerging regulations, guidelines and policies impacting pesticides.
• Interact with US federal and state governments, in coordination with the organization’s Government Relations department, as well as with international organizations impacting pesticide regulation. 
• Direct the monitoring, review and analysis of all regulatory initiatives supporting the organization’s priorities, including the identification of emerging policy issues, to determine potential impacts on the crop technology industry.
• Direct the planning, development, and implementation of legislative support and regulatory initiatives/strategies.
• Determine need for and direct the preparation of effective advocacy materials including, background papers, issue briefs, talking points, amendments, correspondence, and testimony for use by CropLife representatives and allied organizations. 
• Maintain liaison with other Government and non-Government Agencies and organizations on matters relevant to the organization’s objectives.
• Ensure that Science and Regulatory Affairs staff establish and maintain contact with key career regulatory officials important to the achievement of CropLife America’s objectives.
• Represent the Association’s interests before Federal, state, and local governments.
• Make the Association’s views known to legislators and government regulators.
• Inform Association’s constituencies about regulatory issues and developments.
• Work closely with the General Counsel to develop a budget for the Science and Regulatory Affairs Department.
• Delegate responsibilities and supervise the work of the Director of Science and Regulatory.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required.

• Strong familiarity with the legislative and regulatory process, including rules and procedures of relevant legislative and regulatory bodies.
• Thorough knowledge of primary statutes and regulations governing the crop technology industry, including an understanding of regulatory history and relevant legislative and legal case history.
• Ability to draft comprehensive regulatory comments on behalf of the crop technology industry.
• Strong understanding of the science related to issues, including data development required to support registration and re-registration.
• Substantial experience dealing with science and regulatory policy-making processes and issues.
• Prior experience as project manager/team leader on technical and business teams.
• Thorough knowledge of current product regulations and issues, and the regulatory process, agency structure and personnel.
• Expertise in issue management and problem-solving processes and tools.
• Ability to develop novel and imaginative approaches to resolve complex, multidimensional issues through application of strategic thinking is expected.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and public communication skills with an ability to produce effective communications materials, including the ability to distill complex and/or technical information into concise, influential communications.
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills are necessary. 
• Ability to delegate and manage others is necessary.
• Strong track writing in advocacy writing and position papers.

Education, Work Experience and/or Licensure

• PhD in Toxicology, Chemistry, Public Health, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Pharmacology or other closely related discipline.
• 10+ years experience including crisis management, issue and policy management including the development and interpretation of technical standards, and proactive work with federal regulatory agencies/staff to create and influence policy development.
• Background in product law or international trade, or familiarity with WTO and Codex preferred.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects and committees.
• Experience developing budgets for multiple projects.

Language Skills

• Must have strong command of the English language.

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of his/her job.  Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to sit for long periods of time, stand, travel up and down stairs, crouch, stoop and reach.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics listed here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The position requires considerable concentration and creativity.  It is subject to stress caused by a changing environment, tight deadlines and workload.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Travel required for this position is moderate.  Must be willing to travel on short notice as needed.  International travel may be required.  Travel and other work related assignments on weekends are possible.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.