Director - Public Affairs, CO

Role Overview 
Serves as a senior leader within CAA Colorado, responsible for advancing the successful implementation of Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program. The role provides strategic leadership and operational execution for CAA Colorado team efforts across state regulator relationships, Colorado board governance, interest holder engagement, service provider relationships, and cross-functional coordination across Circular Action Alliance (CAA) teams.

Key Responsibilities

Colorado Advisory Board and State Regulator Relationships

• Represent CAA on the Colorado EPR Advisory Board.
• Prepare and submit Advisory Board materials and presentations.
• Attend Advisory Board meetings and provide strategic updates and recommendations to the Colorado Executive Director.
• In collaboration with Compliance & Regulatory Affairs (CRA), support management of CAA’s relationship with CDPHE.
• In collaboration with CRA, represent CAA in regulator meetings as directed by the Executive Director and serve as a point of contact for regulators on designated matters.
• Work closely with CRA teams regarding regulator meeting preparation, agendas, issue management, follow-up actions, and implementation of regulatory requirements.

Colorado Board Governance and Organizational Support

• Develop Colorado board meeting agendas in partnership with the Executive Director and the administrative team.
• Coordinate preparation of board materials and presentations, engaging subject matter experts as needed.
• Plan board meeting schedules and cadence in close coordination with administrative and legal teams.
• Facilitate CAA Colorado board meetings and take meeting minutes.

• Monitor and track completion of board-directed actions and follow-up items.

Strategic Program Management

• Partner with the Executive Director and CAA teams to implement Colorado’s approved Program Plan.
• In collaboration with CRA, analyze Colorado legislation, regulations, local ordinances, market conditions, and stakeholder developments that may affect program implementation.
• Conduct strategic assessments of emerging risks, opportunities, and operational challenges.
• Develop and implement strategic recommendations that advance program objectives and organizational priorities.
• Lead strategic development and execution of program deliverables supporting CAA Colorado operations and program implementation.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives supporting long-term program success.
• Ensure Colorado operational considerations and compliance requirements are understood and incorporated into state and national planning and support functions.

Cross-Functional Coordination with CAA Teams

• Facilitate communication and coordination between CAA Colorado and Program Planning and Operations.
• In collaboration with CRA, track implementation activities, regulatory developments, state regulations, stakeholder issues, and operational priorities.
• Collaborate with Legal, CRA, Communications, Finance, and other business units to align Colorado strategies and operational practices with organizational objectives.
• Support CRA in the development of annual reports.
• Coordinate with CRA to ensure compliance reporting requirements are completed accurately and on schedule.

Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships

• Represent CAA Colorado with participating local governments, elected officials, service providers, non-governmental organizations, industry associations, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in conferences, workgroups, stakeholder forums, and public meetings on behalf of CAA Colorado.
• Represent CAA Colorado before organizations such as Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Counties Inc., and similar entities.
• Collaborate with national government affairs and stakeholder relations teams on broader engagement efforts.

• Support interactions with producers, trade associations, other state EPR programs, and national or international organizations.
• Manage and oversee the state lobbying contract and associated external consultants at the direction of the State Executive Director.
• Support legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts, including attending meetings, providing testimony, and delivering stakeholder presentations as appropriate.

Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

• Partner with the Executive Director and Colorado Communications Manager to develop messaging and communications strategies for external audiences.
• Support public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach efforts.
• Coordinate media-related activities in partnership with Colorado and national communications staff.
• Ensure communications align with organizational objectives, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder needs.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership and sound judgment in complex regulatory and public affairs environments.
• Strong government relations, stakeholder engagement, and partnership-building capabilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving organization.
• Knowledge of public policy, regulatory processes, board governance, and external communications.
• Demonstrated discretion, diplomacy, collaboration, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, communications, business, environmental policy, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Progressive experience in public affairs, government relations, regulatory affairs, public policy, stakeholder engagement, or a related discipline.
• Experience working with government agencies, boards, elected officials, industry associations, or community stakeholders.
• Experience with environmental policy, recycling, EPR, or other complex regulated programs is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives and coordinating across internal and external teams.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Remote, in Colorado
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and knowledge.
• Reports To: Colorado Executive Director

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org.