Senior Director, International Affairs

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Director of International Affairs at UL Standards & Engagement. This position can be based in our office at either Evanston, IL, Research Triangle Park, NC or in our DC office.

The Senior Director of International Affairs will oversee international government relations and international global policy strategy to advance the mission of UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) to make the world safer, more secure, and more sustainable. The Senior Director of International Affairs will drive the organization’s ability to anticipate, understand and influence international policy related to standards and regulations, including engaging U.S. international policymakers, such as ANSI, U.S. Government agencies, and other institutions that shape international standards, trade, regulatory, and public safety policies. With strong command of global trade and regulatory landscape, the Senior Director of International Affairs will identify opportunities for ULSE to inform and shape international policies, regulations, and market practices that advance public safety.

Reporting to the VP International Standards, the Senior Director will serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor on geopolitical, legislative, regulatory and stakeholder developments. In partnership with ULSE’s existing regional team around the world, the Senior Director will drive international engagement with policymakers, regulators, industry representatives, standards bodies, and other influential stakeholders to deepen global awareness of ULSE and reinforce the organization’s global positioning as a trusted authority in international safety standards. 

UL Standards & Engagement:

At UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have created new safety standards and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Standards teams who develop the standards required to put that knowledge into practice.

What you’ll learn and achieve:

As the Senior Director of International Affairs, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Develop and execute an integrated international government affairs strategy aligned with ULSE priorities, U.S. and international policy objectives, and opportunities to advance ULSE’s mission through engagement with ANSI, U.S. Government agencies, and other influential U.S. policymaking stakeholders.

• Advise senior leadership on geopolitical, legislative, regulatory, and policy developments that present opportunities or risks to the organization.

• Identify institutions, U.S. and international policy issues, and stakeholder relationships where ULSE can achieve meaningful influence, and advance the use of its standards, and align its international strategy with relevant U.S. Government and ANSI-led policy priorities.

• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with policy makers, regulators, government officials, diplomatic representatives, standards bodies, and relevant U.S. Government agencies, industry leaders, trade associations, and multilateral institutions.

• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with policy makers, regulators, government officials, diplomatic representatives, standards bodies, and relevant U.S. Government agencies, industry leaders, trade associations and multilateral institutions.

• Lead ULSE’s engagement with international and regional bodies, including the WTO, OECD, UNECE, CEN, CENELEC, and other organizations influencing global trade, regulation, and standardization. Develop targeted strategies for advancing organizational priorities within these forums.

• Monitor and influence U.S. Government and ANSI international standards and regulatory policy priorities, translating those priorities into actionable strategies that strengthen ULSE’s global engagement, standards adoption, and policy impact.

• Identify and pursue opportunities to shape international policies, regulations, and standards related initiatives that align with ULSE’s mission and expertise.

• Represent ULSE in regulatory consultations, international forums, conferences, coalitions and industry engagements, strengthening ULSE’s visibility, influence, and impact.

• Partner with internal teams across the organization to develop coordinated, evidence-based policy positions, and prepare executives and subject matter experts for consequential external engagements.

• Lead and develop team of international professionals, provide strategic direction and serve as mentor to advance capabilities in area of specialization. Cultivate collaborative environment to ensure team success and effective execution.

• Contribute to department initiatives as needed, develop goals, metrics, or impact measures for international affairs strategy.

What you’ll experience working at UL Standards & Engagement:

We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You’ll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today’s global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what’s on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You’ll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Standards & Engagement are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Broad expertise in international government relations, regulatory affairs, global trade, advocacy, and the role of standards advancing public safety.

• Demonstrated success engaging and influencing senior government officials, regulators, policymakers, standards organizations, including ANSI and relevant U.S. Government stakeholders, industry leaders, and international institutions.

• Proven ability to lead high-level stakeholder engagement, build coalitions, and navigate complex technical or standards-based issues within a policy and regulatory context.

• Ability to analyze and interpret complex policy and regulatory documents, translating implications into clear, strategic recommendations and proposing language that advances organizational objectives.

• Established, results oriented leader with ability to set strategic direction, interpret and execute organizational strategy, translate priorities into actionable plans, establish measurable outcomes, and drive execution through effective management.

• Exceptional people leader with demonstrated experience building high performing teams, setting expectations while establishing and operationalizing clear goals and reinforcing accountability for both processes and results.

• Strong collaborator with experience aligning cross functional teams to navigate complex issues and develop solutions with broad impact.      

• Excellent communicator and presenter with strong negotiation, conflict resolution and influencing across diverse stakeholders. Proven capability in establishing effective relationships with others, including senior leaders and external stakeholders.

• Exceptional judgement, political acumen and cultural intelligence, with ability to navigate sensitive, high profile international matters.

• Strong analytical skills with ability to innovate and adapt in a dynamic industry landscape.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, political science, law or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, advocacy or related field.

• Minimum 3 years of direct people management experience, including leading and developing teams and driving accountability for results.

• Experience translating complex geopolitical, regulatory or technical developments into strategic recommendations across multiple countries or regions.

• Experience within standards development, product safety, regulatory, nonprofit, or similarly mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.

• Subject-matter expertise in at least one area related to products, safety, engineering, and/or sustainability strongly preferred.

• Experience with sectors including clean energy, lithium-ion battery and battery powered devices, fire protection, mobility, electrical products and/or artificial intelligence strongly preferred.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Learn more about us and the offered benefits, visit our websites at UL.org and ULSE.org.

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