Now Hiring: Governmental Affairs Director

Governmental Affairs Director

The Governmental Affairs Director is responsible for the legislative and grassroots efforts, including state, national and international legislation and regulations impacting the Kansas wheat industry; implements membership recruitment and retention strategies; prepares and implements leadership development programs; assists with media calls and other inquiries; maintains and cultivates organizational relationships of relevance to communicating the organization’s mission, vision and goals. The Governmental Affairs Director may act as an official Kansas Wheat representative at trade and municipal conferences and other industry-related events, which may include public speaking and targeted presentations.  Position requires after-hours responsibilities and travel.  This individual serves as the organization’s liaison to the National Association of Wheat Growers.  

Interested persons should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Julie Winsor at jwinsor@kswheat.com. Position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been selected.

Requirements

  • Four-year college degree in agricultural economics, agri-business, ag-communications, or related field is required. An agriculture background is preferred.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills.
  • Attention to detail. 
  • Experience with Microsoft Office. 
  • Familiarity with the variety of Web applications and social media tools.
  • Dependable, personable, team player.
  • Must be able to promote the organization, services and activities to members, the national media, public, legislators and other interested constituents. 
  • Must be passionate and a self-motivator. 

Core Responsibilities

Membership programs and services

  • Work closely with the Communications Director to coordinate membership communications and outreach efforts.
  • Supervise maintenance of membership database, membership recruitment and retention efforts and renewals.
  • Manage portfolio of membership benefits.

Legislation

  • Monitors and evaluates state, national, and international legislation and regulations.
  • Maintain working relationship with public officials.
  • Provide information needed to develop policy impacting wheat producers.

Conference, Webinars, Workshops, Special Events

  • Coordinate production and distribution of promotional materials. 
  • Plans and coordinates Kansas Wheat meetings, functions, and exhibits.
  • Develop and maintain media and industry relationships.

Authority and Key Working Relationships

The Governmental Affairs Director reports to the CEO; and works closely with the Vice President of Research and Operations, CEO, Agricultural Policy Committee and Membership Committee in the implementation of legislative and membership activities. 

The position may supervise full or part time staff.

Employer Information

Kansas Wheat is the cooperative agreement between the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, joining together as “leaders in the adoption of profitable innovations for wheat.”

The Kansas Wheat Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed wheat products advocacy organization working to secure the future of Kansas wheat in the global market through international trade, research, export system studies and continually improved varieties of wheat. Its mission is to increase wheat producer productivity and profitability through research, education and domestic and international market development.

The Kansas Association of Wheat Growers is a voluntary member-governed organization representing wheat growers in planning legislation, advising government and international agencies on matters affecting wheat and providing grass-roots leadership to the U.S. wheat industry.