Title:  Sr., Manager, State Government Affairs

With guidance from the VP Government Affairs execute GPI’s State Government Affairs strategy to generate superior business results and create competitive advantage for GPI’s solutions. Establish strong connections with internal and external stakeholders.

Job Scope

This position will cover State Government Affairs and support Federal Government Affairs as appropriate. This position requires the ability to work independently and the initiative and drive to achieve goals and business results. It will focus on the execution of the GPI state Government Affairs. Job duties will primarily be executed on the tactical level, with some, but minimal strategic input and formulation. The State Government Affairs position will support key states where GPI has a large presence and will be a resource for Federal Government Affairs on cross over issues, like recycling, fees and bans, and EPR. Engagement with customers and in external stakeholder work groups will focus primarily on tactical level activities.

 State Government Affairs

• Provide input within GPI on state-related public policy issues.
• With guidance from the VP Gov. Affairs, identify, analyze and act on legislation and regulatory initiatives as well as emerging issues that impact the company.
• Team member of state lobbying team – Execute state/region based lobbying campaigns.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key influencers (including but not limited to: elected officials, governors, executive agencies, trade associations, think tanks, and third-party allies).
• External thought leader (based on substantive and legislative know-how)
• Participate with national, state or local political organizations, associations or committees.
• Develop a solid understanding of the alignment and integration of state-related key business objectives and strategies among all GPI stakeholders.
• Provide input and support on legislative matters.
• Manage state and local incentive programs in collaboration with operations and finance (tax) and local, state economic development teams, community leaders and state leaders to secure incentives. These incentives include property tax abatements, work force development grants, modernization grants, sales and use tax exemptions, etc.
• Maintain a social media profile in keeping with Graphic Packaging's social media policy.  

Qualifications

• 7 - 10 years of experience in government affairs, environmental responsibility and / or packaging technology. Proven track record of leading projects for successful completion to achieve program goals.
• Degree in Political Science, Environmental Studies, Chemistry, Social Sciences, Business, Management, Engineering, or a field related to Social/Environmental responsibility required.   
• Experience working in an environment that requires the ability to conduct complex interpersonal interactions with others, solve problems, make decisions, operate independently and with discretion, and work effectively under pressure. 
• Experience interacting with government officials and/or association experience.
• Ability to use technology to solve business problems.
• Experience with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Availability to travel 35 – 50% 

Related skills 

• Ability to work efficiently individually and in a team environment.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to define problems, to collect data, to establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Strong informal influencing
• Work involves confidential and sensitive information. Discretion is essential.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, detail orientation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to implement creative solutions while working under pressure.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with all levels of employees and management.
• Expert, professional negotiation skills
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and cross business environment.
• Proven self-starter.
• Possess excellent organizational skills and prioritize and successfully execute multiple tasks/projects. 
• Comfort interacting in a diverse group of stakeholders; previous customer interaction a plus.

Required Experience

 At Graphic Packaging International (NYSE: GPK), we produce the box you may have poured your child's cereal from this morning, the microwaveable tray that heated your lunch, the paper cup that held your coffee throughout the day, and the carrier of those bottles of craft beer you may enjoy tonight! We're one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world's most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are a team of collaborative, innovative, passionate individuals who are committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. 

With almost 18,000 employees working in more than 70 locations in North and South America, Europe and the Pacific Rim, we strive to be an environmentally responsible leader in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry's best to reward the talented people who make our company successful. 

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about us at www.graphicpkg.com.

Inspired Packaging. A World of Difference. 

 Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the EEO is the Law Poster