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, industrial, 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.

The Vice President leads BIO’s Agriculture and Environment Section.  BIO’s advocacy and policy in the Agricultural and Environmental sector centers on promoting a legislative and consumer environment that supports innovation to secure the food supply, advance sustainable technologies to fight climate change, and support a robust and inclusive food system that benefits all corners of the globe.

This position is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the development of policy, advocacy, and communications strategies on behalf BIO’s diverse membership in the innovative biotech agricultural, environmental, and industrial sectors. The VP represents BIO before the U.S. government, domestic regulatory agencies, and on international governmental issues as the voice of the innovative efforts to secure the global food supply and promote a more sustainable future. The VP also plays an integral role in driving the organization’s comprehensive strategy as part of BIO’s Extended Leadership Team and as the staff lead to BIO’s Agriculture and Environment Board of Directors.

ESSENTIAL Responsibilities

• In addition to the duties described above, the VP also shall:
• Coordinate all BIO public policy on U.S. biotech agriculture, environment, biofuel and sustainability/climate change issues. Plan, develop, implement and in some cases, lead advocacy strategies to influence policy issues.
• Liaise with like-minded associations and value chain allies to align and organize strategies and tactics, as appropriate.
• Manage the governance of BIO’s Agriculture and Environment Section, including the Section Governing Board and associated Board and staff-level committees.
• Supervise staff of BIO’s Agriculture and Environment Section, ensuring effective performance and opportunities for professional development.
• Develop goals and objectives for the Agriculture and Environment Section based on BIO’s mission, vision, and drivers of success and the Section Governing Board’s top priority needs; develop and manage an initiative-based budget to execute on those goals and objectives.
• Lead coordination efforts with internal BIO teams (public affairs, legal, international) to ensure the goals and objectives of the Agriculture and Environment Section are effectively achieved.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Background, Education, and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required, Master’s preferred.
• 12+ years of relevant experience, including experience working within or with companies in this sector, and in advocating public policy positions with senior policymakers. Strong background in US food value chain relations.
• Experience in problem solving when a public policy-based issues arises which impedes business efforts, including proactive identification, framing, and developing a strategy to address the risk or opportunity.
• Extensive knowledge of public policy, legislation, and regulation affecting food and agricultural biotechnology innovation.
• Established, bipartisan stakeholder network in U.S. Congress, Executive branch and agencies, think tanks, and associations related to biotech agriculture, environment, biofuels, including the Renewable Fuel Standard, and sustainability/climate change policy. These include Congressional leadership and relevant House and Senate Committees; USDA, EPA, and DOE; relevant trade associations, and others.
• Understanding of regenerative/sustainable agriculture practices, and policies and federal programs which seek to expand their implementation, preferred, but not required.

Candidates should be aware that BIO currently maintains a policy requiring all US-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster shot once eligible. Newly hired employees must be vaccinated and boosted prior to their employment start date BIO is an equal opportunity employer and will provide a reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated or receive a booster where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.