Closing Date: 4th March, 2025

Description:

How You Will Make a Difference
In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead the development and execution of policy initiatives to advance alternative protein policy. Working out of our Washington D.C. Policy and Government Relations office, you will manage team members who work on policy initiatives while advancing your own portfolio of executive branch advocacy. The Associate Director, Policy Initiatives will be responsible for:

Policy development, advancement, and evaluation (50%)
  • Crafting GFI's positions on diverse policy issues pertaining to alternative proteins.
  • Developing and executing a portfolio of (non-regulatory) strategic executive branch advocacy.
  • Leading the department's development and evaluation of action plans to achieve organizational objectives and key results (OKRs).

People management and cross-organizational collaboration (50%)
  • Managing and coaching team members who lead GFI's policy initiatives: currently the Senior Policy Specialist, Public Investment and Industry, and the Policy Specialist, Diplomacy.
  • Honing these policy initiatives to do the most good and advance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Cultivating a positive and collaborative team environment and helping to motivate the team.
  • Working with the Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations to improve and sustain coordination and collaboration among GFI's policy team in the United States and those in our international affiliates.
  • Performing other duties as assigned.

Who We're Looking for:
An ideal candidate for the Associate Director, Policy Initiatives position will have:
  • Experience:
  • At least eight years at a government agency, think tank, advocacy organization, or equivalent, or at least six years and a J.D. from an accredited law school.
  • Experience leading a multi-year initiative or advocacy campaign.
  • Minimum of two years directly managing, mentoring, or coaching team members, ideally with a focus on policy.

Skills:
  • The ability to mentor and inspire team members—both direct reports and other colleagues—to refine their policy initiatives to have a greater impact.
  • The ability to problem-solve under pressure and take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities.
  • Expertise in developing bipartisan policy positions in a rapidly evolving landscape.
  • Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills.

Alignment

  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
  • The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment—comfort pivoting to meet opportunities while advancing strategic priorities.
  • Strong support for GFI's philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alternative proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
  • A commitment to GFI's values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

The most highly qualified candidate would also have:
Experience:

  • Setting international policy through engaging diplomats and multilateral organizations.
  • In the alternative protein sector, with company scaleup and commercialization in any sector, or with securing public investments for food companies or green businesses.

Skills:
  • Expertise in U.S. policy relevant to science and technology, infrastructure, global health, agriculture, renewable energy, climate, or food.
  • Proficiency with best practices for impact assessment.
Aligment
  • International outlook and experience, as demonstrated by experience working for a multilateral organization, having lived in a country outside of the United States, or fluency in languages other than English.
  • The ability to contribute to the diversity of ideas and backgrounds on the Policy team.