Job Information
Eastman State Government Affairs Manager - Western US in Nationwide, United States
Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
Summary
This position will lead advocacy strategy and execution in priority states in the Western half of the US, focusing on Eastman’s circular economy initiatives. Additionally, the role will provide advocacy support to the broader Government Affairs team, playing a key role in driving the company’s broader advocacy priorities. This role will be primarily an external role, working in tandem with Eastman’s Government Affairs team.
The State Government Affairs Manager must be able to partner at all levels of multiple Eastman businesses and functions, understand how pending legislative and regulatory actions will affect Company’s competitiveness and policy preferences. This person will need to articulate advocacy strategy to internal leadership and remove internal and external barriers to accelerate Eastman’s advocacy objectives.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter, who is results-oriented and possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability, a can-do attitude, the ability to think critically, and a solutions-oriented approach to problem solving. Being able to take complex material and distill it to easily digestible and understandable information is an extremely important aspect of this role.
Responsibilities
Advocate and communicate Eastman’s mission, values and business commitments to local and state government officials, industry trade associations, and other stakeholders.
Develop and execute strategies to engage and influence policy and regulations related to Eastman’s priority advocacy objectives.
Represent the company in trade association forums, in close collaboration with relevant corporate and business issue experts
Identify, monitor and analyze state legislation and regulation impacting Eastman’s business operations and product markets, identify and develop vehicles for favoring Eastman products in legislation/policy, and recommend appropriate actions.
Work closely with the businesses to help develop and execute advocacy strategies that defend and expand key product markets
Expand the company’s advocacy networks and help develop key political allies.
Communicate effectively and ensure alignment with internal stakeholders (e.g., Legal, Supply Chain and Businesses)
Manage external resources serving a variety of roles in multiple states
Significant travel required (greater than 30%)
The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to inspire, motivate and manage external stakeholders and coordinate multiple priorities and initiatives effectively.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of state or federal legislative, policy or regulatory experience—multi-state work preferred
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated abilities in creating advocacy strategies including research, planning, implementation and evaluation
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Demonstrated experience leading and contributing to projects and collaborating at all levels of an organization and across geographies
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills and team orientation with ability to influence and negotiate while working within a matrixed organization
• Demonstrate a high degree of integrity and confidentiality
• Demonstrated experience in crisis communications
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Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.
Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully diverse workforce and a broadly inclusive workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.