Job Abstract

Ecolab, the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services, is seeking a Director of Federal Government Relations based in Washington, DC.

Government Relations (GR) is responsible for the strategic direction of Ecolab's global government relations and advocacy efforts. The GR team leads on public policy matters to support the company's global business objectives and provides advice to the senior leadership team on political and policy matters to protect Ecolab’s reputation.

As the Director of Federal Government Relations, you will be responsible for defining, leading, and furthering Ecolab’s legislative agenda and public policy initiatives at the federal level.   The advocacy efforts will be focused on Congress and key federal departments and agencies, including the EPA, Dept. of Energy, FDA, and HHS to name a few.

The ideal candidate could have a policy background in energy, climate, water, pharma, or public health.  While the issues important to the company are broad, the candidate will be drawn to the scale of Ecolab’s positive impact on public health and sustainability outcomes and the company’s presence serving over three million customer locations in 170 countries.

What’s in it For You:  

• The opportunity to take on some of the world’s most meaningful challenges, helping customers achieve clean water, safe food and healthy environments. 
• The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth and sustainability.  
• The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives and ideas to achieve our best. 

What You Will Do:

• Develop federal advocacy priorities and strategies to enable further growth and our license to operate in key industrial sectors.   
• Effectively lead and coordinate external advocacy efforts in front of legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and executive branch/agency decision-makers.
• Analyze and monitor legislation, regulations and trends on issues impacting Ecolab or its customers. Prepare legislative/political briefing materials, policy write-ups, and issue-specific 1 pagers for internal and external stakeholders.
• Strengthen Ecolab’s brand and reputation through quickly establishing relationships with policy makers and identify forums to position Ecolab as a thought leader (e.g., webinars, panels, and testifying on legislative/regulatory matters). Represent Ecolab at targeted conferences, conventions, task forces and meetings.
• Build internal relationships with key Ecolab business divisions and support functions and find opportunities to advance each business division’s objectives. Execute engagement plans with policymakers for Ecolab executives and regional plant managers, including plant tours.
• Manage federal lobbyists, executing off strategic plan, and reviewing their performance.
• Active participation in trade associations to include joining relevant committees and pursuing leadership positions where appropriate. Build working relationships with GR/Policy and Regulatory staff from these trades.
• Develop political engagement strategy, including PAC giving, vetting reputational risks, attending fundraisers, political meetings, and seeking counsel from lobbyists on strategic giving.

Location Requirements:

• Candidates must reside within Washington, D.C. area. 
• Hybrid work model with an office location in downtown Washington, D.C.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 8 years government relations (public affairs) and/or legislative experience working in Congress, federal agency, trade association, and/or a lobbying firm.
• Thorough understanding of policy process, including legislation development, political environments, and rulemaking processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead executive-level discussions with legislative leaders and impact legislation, regulation, and a background in bipartisanship negotiation.
• 20% travel required to company locations, and trade association events.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in working on advocacy or policy issues around energy, climate, chemicals, life sciences, healthcare, or the pharmaceutical industry.
• Previous experience managing lobbyists and participating with industry trades on grassroots/advocacy efforts.
• Team oriented, creative, assertive, problem-solver, self-starter, fun and able to manage several projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated relationships with legislative leadership and executive branch policy-leaders.

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Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits. 

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are diverse and inclusive, and we are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants. We recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement on the basis of individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA). Our goal is to fully utilize minority, female, disabled and covered veteran individuals at all levels of the workforce. Ecolab is a place where you can grow your career, own your future and impact what matters.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.