Job Description

The Government Affairs Manager is responsible for researching, lobbying and interpreting U.S. vehicle regulations and legislation at the federal level. This position has lead responsibility on federal policy, specifically technology, safety, and privacy, with support on environment and trade. The position also covers all other automotive priorities in the U.S. Congress and federal agencies. Important developments, including regulations, legislation, compliance, media and consumer advocacy activities are regularly communicated among key departments at Mazda Corporate (MC) and Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).

This position develops and maintains strong relationships with key policymakers, industry colleagues and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) tocreate valuable channels for communication and influence on issues of interest to Mazda. Represent Mazda on the Federal Affairs Committee, Safety and Technology Committee, and the Energy and Environment Policy Commitee at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, as well as the Trade Committee of Autos Drive America. Additionally, the manager represents Mazda at other trade associations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Global Business Alliance, among others.

Supports the Director in lobbying efforts and representation on a variety of other automotive issues before Congress, as needed.

Major Responsibilities

• (60%) Federal Policy & Legislative Advocacy
  • Serve as one of Mazda’s federal lobbyists, monitoring, analyzing, and influencing U.S. federal legislative and regularity developments and policy affecting the automotive industry.
  • Lead Mazda's engagement with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation on technology, safety, and privacy policy matters, while supporting environmental and trade initiatives.
  • Represent Mazda on the Federal Affairs Committee, Safety and Technology Committee, and Energy and Environment Policy Committee, with focus on technology, safety and privacy and support on environment and trade, helping shape industry positions, advocacy strategies, and policy priorities.
  • Collaborate with MC, MNAO, and the Director to identify policy opportunities and risks, evaluate legislative and regulatory proposals, develop Mazda's policy positions, and execute advocacy strategies with industry associations, lawmakers, and federal agencies.
  • Advocate Mazda's policy priorities with industry associations, federal agencies, Congressional offices, and other external stakeholders.

• (30%) Trade Policy Advocacy
  • Lead advocacy efforts related to trade policy, including United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), tariffs, customs matters, and other trade-related regulations /policies affecting vehicles and automotive parts.
  • Partner with Mazda North American affiliate companies (MNAO, MC, MMSCO, MMVO, and MCI) to develop and execute strategies supporting Mazda’s trade policy objectives.
  • Support Mazda’s federal policy interests on China-focused legislation, regulations, and trade initiatives.
  • Represent Mazda on the Autos Drive America Trade Committee and support associated advocacy, communications, and industry engagement activities.

• (10%) External Representation & Relationship Management
  • Represent Mazda at external events, functions, meetings, conferences, industry forums, and stakeholder events.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with policymakers, trade associations, industry partners, and the Washington, DC offices of automotive manufacturers, with particular emphasis on Japanese automakers.
  • Build and maintain strategic networks that support Mazda's advocacy objectives and enhance the company's visibility and influence on key policy issues.

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Comply with all policies and standards

• The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job

Work Experience

• 5+ years experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, regulatory affairs, or a related field required
• Experience engaging with lawmakers, government agencies, trade associations, or industry stakeholders preferred
• Capitol Hill experience preferred

Education

• Bachelor Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Political Science Required
• Bachelor Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Business Administration/Management Required
• Bachelor Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) or related field of study Required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal legislative and regulatory processes, including the development and implementation of public policy (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Thorough understanding of the legislative process of the U.S. Congress and regulatory processes of Executive Branch agencies (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Knowledge of automotive environmental and fuel economy standards preferred (Developing-Intermediate)
• Working knowledge of international trade laws preferred (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Ability to influence others through compelling oral and written communications (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Ability to comfortably interface with people at all levels of the government, up to and including heads of federal agencies and members of Congress (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Capacity to combine knowledge of the auto industry, political insight and intellect to determine lobbying strategies that will successfully influence policymakers preferred (Developing-Intermediate)
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions regarding regulatory and legislative proposals preferred (Developing-Intermediate)
• Presentation, organization and time management skills (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Detail-oriented (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Computer proficiency preferred (Developing-Intermediate)
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision (self-direction) (Intermediate-Advanced)

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position/Seated: Constantly
• Communicate/Talking: Constantly
• Communicate/Hearing: Constantly
• Repetitive Motions: Frequently
• Coordination: Frequently
• Seeing/Observing: Constantly

Travel Requirements

• 10% Flying International: Essential
• 10% Flying Domestic: Essential

Pay Range

$124,200.00 - $189,375.00

Salary to be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Learn more about MNAO’s comprehensive benefits package here