Reports to: Director, Communications & Media

FLSA Exemption: Exempt

Location: Washington, DC | Hybrid

Salary: $67,000 - $90,000

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), a Washington DC based trade association represents the nation’s nearly one million workers in the plastics industry. PLASTICS seeks a Manager of Press & Public Affairs to develop compelling editorial media content that supports public affairs, government affairs, and the association initiatives. The Manager will craft content for distribution to the press, policymakers, elected officials, and the public through various PLASTICS channels. The Manager will focus on promoting the value of plastics as an essential material, throughout the media while highlighting the impactful economic contributions of the industry, and its professionals, those who innovate, create, and drive circular solutions that enhance health, safety, and economic well-being. The Manager, Press & Public Affairs, will also support the Director of Communications and Media by providing writing, editing, and proofreading high-impact materials on behalf of PLASTICS and key leadership intended for media and press strategic pitching and distribution. 

Responsibilities:  

• Develop key messaging and draft press releases, statements, op-eds, and other written materials. 
• Monitor press coverage, manage editorial content, and track media mentions for association and member use. 
• Conduct outreach and build relationships with key reporters, producers, and other media professionals to enhance industry visibility. 
• Stay informed on current events to identify and act on rapid-response media opportunities. 
• Support media pitching efforts by researching outlets, identifying opportunities, and assisting in developing creative approaches, while building and maintaining an understanding of the media landscape. 
• Create compelling content that promotes the value of plastics and highlights industry professionals. 
• Write, edit, and produce high-impact materials for public affairs, government affairs, and association initiatives. 
• Work closely with the Director of Communications & Media to respond to media inquiries and provide content support for executive leadership. 
• Develop and maintain an engaging, relatable public-facing voice that reflects industry priorities. 
• Establish relationships with member companies to source and share their stories through PLASTICS’ media channels. 
• Serve as a liaison to member companies for press and media-related inquiries. 
• Contribute to PLASTICS-managed websites, ensuring content is relevant for industry, media, and policymaking audiences. 
• Collaborate with external publications to produce industry-related articles at the state and federal levels. 
• Provide editorial support for advertising, collateral materials, and public-facing content for policy and government affairs initiatives. 
• Coordinate meetings and collaborative projects across PLASTICS staff to support communications and public affairs efforts. 
• Manage weekly engagements with PLASTICS leadership and partner organizations to promote industry sustainability efforts. 
• Attend external events to gather insights that support PLASTICS’ advocacy for sustainability and circularity. 

Education & Experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.  
• A minimum of two years’ experience in a related position or in journalism, public relations, or communications with a trade association, public relations agency, or similar industry.   
• Experience with creating public affairs and political content. 
• Experience with or willingness to cultivate relationships with media and press communities and the Washington, DC communications community.  
• Experience with or willingness to learn Adobe Creative Suite, HubSpot, Canva, Bgov, PowerPoint, or Vimeo. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:  

• Knowledge of digital promotion, social media digital collection processes. 
• Knowledge of the state and federal government and legislative processes. 
• Written and verbal communications skills with diverse stakeholder audiences.   
• Ability to write clearly and effectively, with a talent for storytelling and messaging. 
• Self-motivated with attention to detail, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.  
• Ability to prioritize and work on a variety of projects, adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results.   
• Ability to work autonomously and collectively to build consensus.  
• Ability to provide customer service to internal and external stakeholders.  
• An earnest work ethic and dedication to collective success of the organization in service of our membership.   
• A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with a variety of colleagues from multiple backgrounds.   
• Demonstrate a commitment to embody and uphold PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation in all interactions and responsibilities.   
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Excel preferred.   

Interested? Please apply using the PLASTICS Job Form

About Us: 

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain. We are proud to represent the nearly one million people who are employed by companies in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team, striving for growth and success. Together we shape the direction of the entire plastics industry and as a job requirement, have some fun while doing so. Employees have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We also encourage volunteerism. As a team we seek opportunities to improve the communities in which we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups.

We offer generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, well-being, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, competitive salaries, and work from home flexibility. We work hard, we play hard and we value a work-life balance! In fact, we offer unlimited paid time off and employees take personal time off at their own discretion.

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, or any factor prohibited by applicable law

Reports to: Senior Director, Sustainability & Packaging

FLSA Exemption: Non-Exempt

Location: Washington, DC | Hybrid

Salary: $50,000 - $67,000

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), a Washington DC based trade association represents the nation’s nearly one million workers in the plastics industry. PLASTICS seeks a Program Coordinator of Sustainability to provide program support including member onboarding and development for the Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) program. OCS is an industry-led program that supports companies in their goal of achieving zero plastic resin loss in operations and protecting the environment.

Responsibilities:

Member Onboarding, Engagement, & Development 

• Provide staff support and assistance to facilitate outreach and recruitment of new members.  
• Process new OCS membership applications. 
• Coordinate with Finance & Accounting team members to generate invoices, track payments, and support annual renewal outreach. 
• Maintain membership and committee records, distribution lists, etc. in the association management database (iMIS). 
• Manage recordkeeping and associated deliverables related to membership, technical support, and education. 

Website & Resources 

• Add new records to OCS website, including events, vendors, and verified facilities. 
• Work with OCS staff, the Events and Marketing Team to manage assets including logos, documents, and publications. 
• Work with OCS staff and members to develop periodic blogs and member Q&A’s. 
• Support OCS website users to access and utilize members-only resources. 
• Work with OCS staff to aggregate information for annual reports and other resources. 

Communications & Marketing 

• Work with OCS staff to review, delegate, and triage general OCS inbox to answer member questions in a timely and comprehensive manner. 
• Work with Communications Team to announce new OCS members on social media. 
• Support OCS staff in developing email communications to ensure consistent communication with OCS members and stakeholders and strong awareness of program activities, events, and resources. 

Meeting & Event Management 

• Facilitate scheduling meetings, preparation of meeting materials, writing minutes, and tracking action items. 
• Support coordination of OCS events and webinars, including managing speaker logistics and presentation materials. 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in business management/administration, or a related field or a combination of education and related experience. 
• A minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role or related position in business, customer service industry or membership management; trade association experience preferred. 
• Experience with a customer relationship management platform (e.g., HubSpot). 
• Experience with an association management system (e.g., iMIS preferred). 
• Experience with or willingness to learn about program management, sustainability, and the plastics industry. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities 

• Written and verbal communications skills with diverse stakeholder audiences. 
• Self-motivated with attention to detail, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to prioritize and work on a variety of projects, adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results. 
• Ability to work autonomously and collectively to build consensus. 
• Ability to provide customer service to internal and external stakeholders. 
• An earnest work ethic and dedication to collective success of the organization in service of our membership. 
• A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with a variety of colleagues from multiple backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to embody and uphold PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation in all interactions and responsibilities.   
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Excel required. 

Interested? PLASTICS Job Application

About PLASTICS

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain. We are proud to represent the nearly one million people who are employed by companies in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team, striving for growth and success. Together we shape the direction of the entire plastics industry and as a job requirement, have some fun while doing so. Employees have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We also encourage volunteerism. As a team we seek opportunities to improve the communities in which we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups.

We offer generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, well-being, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, competitive salaries, and work from home flexibility. We work hard, we play hard, and we value a work-life balance! In fact, we offer unlimited paid time off, and employees take personal time off at their own discretion.

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, or any factor prohibited by applicable law.

Reports to: Vice President, Government Affairs

FLSA Exemption: Exempt

Location: Remote

Salary: $121,000 - $170,000

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), a Washington DC based trade association represents the nation’s nearly one million workers in the plastics industry. PLASTICS seeks a Regional Director to manage state legislative and regulatory issues in the West Region (ideally based in CA or WA). The Regional Director works directly with the Vice President of Government Affairs in proactively influencing elected officials and staff to advance the plastics public policy agenda. The Director identifies legislative and government relations issues, opportunities, priorities, and collaborates with other entities to build areas of common interest. Working in conjunction with the PLASTICS team, the Regional Director will facilitate conversations between members and key policymakers across the region and build relationships to grow PLASTICS’ presence.

Responsibilities: 

•       Tracks legislation, public policy, and regulatory issues at the state level.
•       Meets with elected officials and staff on industry positions regarding key legislative and regulatory issues.
•       Draft public testimony, letters, issue papers relevant to industry.
•       Testifies before elected and appointed bodies on industry positions as directed.
•       Composes correspondence for PLASTICS on legislative and regulatory proposals.
•       Attend regional meetings as necessary to ensure PLASTICS presence in covered states.
•       Engages effectively with relevant policy groups and coalitions working on policy priorities of mutual concern.
•       Works with and directs contract lobbyists in various states.
•       Builds, maintains, and enhances effective relationships with key elected officials and relevant staff to advance industry priorities.
•       Execute facility tour visits for policymakers to provide firsthand insight into member operations.
•       Plan and organize advocacy events to facilitate face-to-face interactions between members and elected officials.
•       Liaise with other PLASTICS staff and committee on state government affairs needs, including issue summaries, presentations, and inquiries about policy positions.
•       Manages related and other duties as assigned in support of department and business needs.

Education & Experience: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in politics, government affairs, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in a related state legislature, government affairs, political campaigning, or coalition building position for a trade association or lobbying firm.
• Government affairs experience in California is highly preferred.
• Experience with regional legislative processes and policy landscapes at the state level in California, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, and Washington.
• Experience in the plastics industry preferred.
• Experience cultivating relationships with key elected officials and staff.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• Understanding of the state regulation and the legislative process.
• Excellent written and verbal communication including presentation skills with diverse stakeholder audience.
• Ability to communicate in-depth issues with industry groups, policy makers, and other opinion leaders and the public.
• Self-motivated with attention to detail and excellent analytical, strategic, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work on a variety of projects simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work well autonomously and collectively to build consensus amongst internal and external stakeholders.
• An earnest work ethic and dedication to collective success of the organization in service of our membership.
• A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with a variety of colleagues from multiple backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a commitment to embody and uphold PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation in all interactions and responsibilities. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel (<30%). 

Interested? Please apply here

About Us: 

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain. We are proud to represent the nearly one million people who are employed by companies in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team, striving for growth and success. Together we shape the direction of the entire plastics industry and as a job requirement, have some fun while doing so. Employees have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We also encourage volunteerism. As a team we seek opportunities to improve the communities in which we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups.

We offer generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, well-being, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, competitive salaries, and work from home flexibility. We work hard, we play hard and we value a work-life balance! In fact, we offer unlimited paid time off and employees take personal time off at their own discretion.

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, or any factor prohibited by applicable law.