Primary Purpose
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is the world’s largest advocacy association representing member companies, state biotechnology groups, academic and research institutions, and related organizations across the United States and in 30+ countries. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world, including the BIO Impact Ag & Environment Conference.
The primary purpose of this position is to work with the Agriculture and Environment Section membership to lead, manage, and advocate for regulatory policies of importance to the biotechnology industry. These issues will be primarily related to the activities of the EPA, FDA, and USDA. The position requires knowledge of regulatory policies within these agencies of relevance to developers of products of biotechnology and strong public policy, analytical and communication skills.
The Director will report to the Vice President and will be responsible for assisting in developing science-based policy and regulatory options for the Agriculture and Environment Section Governing Board, project teams, and committees. The position primarily focuses on federal, state, and international policy and regulations impacting renewable chemicals, bio-based products, fermentation food-tech, biofuels, and bio-processes and will coordinate as needed on overlapping issues related to agricultural biotechnology applications including in plants, microbes and animals. The position will principally be focused on issues related to uses of biotechnology to support the bio based economy; including, but not limited to, biofuels, bio based products, renewable chemicals, and feedstocks. The Director will lead project team(s), committee(s) and Board-level committees as needed.
Responsibilities:
- Work with the section Vice President to develop policy and advocacy strategies for environmental and agricultural applications of biotechnology, including in biofuels, bio based products, renewable chemicals, and feedstocks.
- Develop policy documents and prepare materials used to lobby Congress.
- Coordinate with BIO Federal Government Relations team on advocacy of Congress and the administration.
- Lead BIO’s efforts in drafting and submitting comments on proposed federal regulations impacting our section.
- Provide policy guidance to member companies, serving as lead staff for relevant work groups and committees
- Work with BIO Communications Department on press materials and messaging.
- Participate in press conferences and conference calls as needed.
- Make public presentations at conferences and meetings organized by other associations or entities.
- Engage with key external stakeholders, including other trade associations, think tanks, advocacy organizations, scientific and professional societies, and public-private partnerships, on regulatory and scientific issues.
- Conducting research into scientific, regulatory, and legislative issues as required, and disseminating relevant information to other BIO staff and to member companies.
- Help organize technical conference tracks, schedule speakers, and recruit sponsors for the BIO Impact Ag & Environment Conference.
- Travel to domestic and international conferences as needed.
- Assist in seeking out and recruiting new members and sponsors.
- Assist international and state level advocacy as needed.
- Coordinate between BIO sections (Health, Emerging Companies, and Agriculture & Environment) in support of cross-section policy goals.
- Provide pre-reads, presentations, and/or other materials for the Ag & Environment Governing Board
- Other tasks as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, biology, biotechnology, or related sciences required; Master’s degree in science, business, or law preferred.
- 8-10+ years of experience in agriculture, bio-based products, renewable chemicals, environmental and/or energy policy, with additional experience in federal government relations highly desirable.
- Excellent analytical and judgment skills.
- Must be a skilled writer and be able to communicate with different audiences.
- Some technical knowledge about agricultural and environmental biotechnology.
- Superb communication skills, both in person and virtually especially in regards to leading committees and working groups
- Highly driven and results-oriented a must.
- Exceptionally detail oriented and organized.
- Computer literate; Word, Excel, database systems.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
