Executive Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications

Personal Care Products Council•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is seeking an accomplished senior executive to lead the organization’s public affairs, policy communications, media relations, and external engagement efforts. Reporting directly to the President and CEO and serving as a member of PCPC’s executive leadership team, the EVP will help shape and execute the organization’s policy and communications strategy and serve as a highly credible voice for the cosmetics and personal care products industry. This is a policy-driven public affairs leadership role, not simply a communications position. The successful candidate will understand complex regulatory, political, and policy issues; translate them into compelling narratives and advocacy strategies; build consensus among diverse member companies; and effectively engage policymakers, media, industry partners, and other stakeholders. Given the importance of PCPC’s relationships with FDA, congressional policymakers, media, industry stakeholders, and other national trade associations, a strong preference will be given to candidates based in the Washington, DC area.

Requirements

15+ years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, policy communications, government relations, advocacy, or a related field.
Significant experience working in a complex regulatory environment, ideally within a trade association, consumer products industry, public affairs firm, or government-facing organization.
Demonstrated success developing and executing public affairs, advocacy, communications, media relations, and reputation-management strategies.
Proven ability to support advocacy efforts through message development, coalition building, campaign strategy, and execution.
Meaningful trade association or membership organization experience, with demonstrated success building consensus among diverse members and leaders.
Strong familiarity with federal and state legislative and regulatory processes.
Experience engaging directly with policymakers, regulators, government agencies, media, industry organizations, coalitions, and other external stakeholders.
Proven experience serving as a spokesperson or senior external representative.
Experience advising and working with a CEO, Board of Directors, C-suite executives, and other senior leaders.
Demonstrated success leading, developing, and managing professional teams, including setting expectations, coaching and developing staff, managing performance, and building a collaborative, accountable team culture.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the FDA and regulated industries is highly valued, as is familiarity with the regulatory environment affecting cosmetics and personal care products.
A track record of developing and executing public affairs campaigns that bring together advocacy, communications, coalition engagement, stakeholder outreach, and other tactics to advance policy or reputational objectives. Experience leading multi-channel campaigns and mobilizing diverse stakeholders around a common objective is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an integrated public affairs, advocacy, communications, and external engagement strategy aligned with PCPC’s strategic priorities.
Develop trusted relationships with media, industry organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders.
Represent PCPC publicly and serve as a principal external voice for the organization.
Translate complex scientific, legal, regulatory, and policy issues into clear, persuasive messages that advance the industry’s interests and strengthen PCPC’s voice.
Work closely with government affairs, regulatory, legal, scientific, and other PCPC teams to develop strategies around federal and state legislative and regulatory priorities.
Navigate differing perspectives among member companies and build consensus around common industry positions.
Cultivate strong relationships with key volunteer leaders and engage them effectively in PCPC’s advocacy efforts.
Establish and maintain a positive, credible reputation for PCPC and the overall industry among key stakeholders, partners, media, and other influential audiences.
Serve as the staff lead for PCPC’s Communications Steering Committee, working closely with the Committee Chair and member company representatives to establish priorities, develop agendas, facilitate meetings, build consensus, and advance committee initiatives aligned with PCPC’s strategic objectives.
Manage and develop the Public Affairs & Communications team; establish priorities, allocate resources, and oversee departmental performance.
Develop and manage the department’s annual budget, including forecasting resource needs, establishing spending priorities, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring resources are aligned with PCPC’s strategic objectives.
Build strong partnerships across PCPC and with external stakeholders and provide candid, strategic counsel to the CEO and Board.
Anticipate emerging policy and reputational issues and partner with member companies to develop timely, coordinated responses to breaking news, crises, and other developments.