Basic Function

The primary objective of this position is to support the association’s work on international trade, customs, transportation, labeling, and other policy issues, including supporting AAFA’s Trade Policy Committee, AAFA’s Transportation Group, and AAFA’s Labeling Group.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide logistical and administrative support to the AAFA Policy Team for a variety of association and government affairs and policy activities including responding to member inquiries, preparing materials, creating presentations, and developing talking points.
• Provide support for the VP, Trade & Customs Policy, including scheduling for hill meetings, fly-ins, and member DC visits, taking minutes, and other assistance as required.
• Assist in tracking and analyzing legislation, rules, and regulations.
• Attend congressional hearings, agency meetings, and briefings.
• Assist with the drafting of weekly committee notes, members tools and resources, articles, updates, and social media posts.
• Assist with the preparation of AAFA lobby days and PAC-related activities.
• Scheduling and calendar alignment for AAFA Policy Team.
• Support AAFA Communications and Marketing department in developing and refining media-facing and consumer-facing talking points on issues related to trade, customs, logistics, and labeling.
• Closely collaborate with the Education and Programming department and Communications and Marketing department to assist with planning, execution, and success of the annual AAFA Global Supply Chain & Trade Conference, AAFA webinars, and other related AAFA events.
• Participate in lobbying activities associated with the Policy Team on all issues, as needed.
• Maintain a relentless focus on the needs of our membership.

• BA/BS.
• Experience/expertise in international trade, and/or customs, and/or transportation, and/or labeling.
• Familiarity with the United States federal government, including the Administration, agencies, and Congress.
• Familiarity with state legislatures and/or the European Union a plus.
• Strong analytical, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to quickly understand, digest, and communicate complex policy concepts to AAFA colleagues, member company representatives, and policymaker audiences.
• Ability to take direction from multiple people across AAFA Policy Team.
• Excellent time management and logistics skills, including managing and prioritizing simultaneous activities, tasks, and deadlines.
• Work well under time pressures while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficient in utilizing relevant software programs, including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• An understanding of communications, social media content development (e.g., Facebook, Linkedln, Twitter)
• Experience in industry a plus.

About American Apparel & Footwear Association

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1,000 world famous name brands, AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its 3.2 million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $490 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA drives progress on three key priorities: Brand Protection; Supply Chain & Sourcing; Trade, Logistics, & Manufacturing. AAFA approaches this work through the lens of purpose-driven leadership in a manner that supports each member’s ability to build and sustain inclusive and diverse cultures, meet and advance ESG goals, and draw upon the latest technology.

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