Director of Nutrition, Government & Regulatory Affairs

Location: Chicago, IL or Washington DC

Overview

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has been a forum for passionate science of food professionals and technologists to collaborate, learn, and contribute all with the goal of inspiring and transforming collective scientific knowledge into innovative solutions for the benefit of all people around the world. As a scientific community grounded in purpose, IFT feeds the minds that feed the world.

The Director of Nutrition, Government & Regulatory Affairs will serve as IFT's principal scientific and technical resource on issues related to food, health, and nutrition, and provide leadership and direction on programs and tasks within the key focus areas. The job responsibilities are in the context of IFT's science and policy initiatives and related activities, including internal and external entities, and the international food standards-setting activities of Codex.

Essential Responsibilities

Define and set the strategic plan for focus areas in food and nutrition

* Identify key focus areas for IFT in food and nutrition by studying emerging science, consumer and market trends (including public health nationally and globally), and trends in professional societies in order develop a plan to address the key focus areas. Employs an epidemiological approach and segmentation perspectives, as appropriate, to enhance the depth and breadth of insights and foresights.

Leads content development on food, health and nutrition focus areas

* Leads scientific content development pertinent to food, health, and nutrition focus areas and works with the IFT staff, divisions, members, Council of Food Science Administrators, working groups, task force, and other key stakeholders, as appropriate, to identify, plan, organize, and develop evidence-based timely peer-reviewed content for: publication in IFT journals, scientific reviews and reports, web-content, toolkits, and other communication and media materials of value to IFT members.

Government and Regulatory Affairs

* Leads development, and implementation of appropriate government relations and public policy activities (e.g., development of IFT scientific viewpoints and resources in response to public comment and other opportunities; preparation of member nominations to federal advisory committees) and engages activities as suitable.
* Manages IFT's Codex engagement, leading volunteer expert teams and overseeing participation and input into Codex committees, working groups, and the Commission. Uses appropriate channels to inform IFT leaders, members and stakeholders on Codex developments and IFT involvement.
* Generates recommendations on food and nutrition policies worthy of attention and offers guidance on the appropriate role of IFT in science & policy leadership, support, liaison, and networking. Provides recommendations for nominating IFT members for various government Committees and Advisory Boards related to food and nutrition. Develops public comments on policies related to food and nutrition.

Collaboration/Relationship Building and Representation

* Develops and maintains effective relationships, collaborations, and partnerships, nationally and internationally with scientific organizations and coalitions, government agencies, academia, representatives of the food and agricultural community from industry, trade associations, consumer, and advocacy groups, to raise the visibility of IFT as a scientific/professional member-based organization and in the development of initiatives/programs of value to members.
* Serves as IFT's liaison to our subject matter experts, and to other coalitions and alliances.
* Represents and/or participates in select scientific conferences, public meetings, for example, Congressional hearings and Government advisory committee meetings of interest and importance to IFT and members.

Collaboration with internal Knowledge & Learning Experiences and Marketing & Communication Teams

* Provides recommendations and assists with the development, coordination, and promotion of food, health, and nutrition content for related conferences, webcasts, short courses & workshops, and IFT's Annual Meeting Scientific Program.

This is not meant to be a complete or comprehensive list as responsibilities may change; other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

Experience Requirements

* Advanced degree in nutrition, or related field required
* 10 plus years of professional experience
* Application of nutrition across a wide range of product categories
* Experience of food science & technology and the the linkage with nutrition science.
* Established connections within the global scientific and regulatory community, government and industry
* Experience in government & regulatory affairs.
* Experience in strategic planning, project management, staff management, and fiscal management
* Experience building results-oriented partnerships and alliances
* Experience in association or not-for-profit environment a plus

Competency Requirements

* Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with non-scientific as well as scientific and technical audiences
* Ability to translate scientific in nutrition across other disciplines
* Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with individuals and organizations
* Ability to review, analyze, interpret, synthesize, and report on scientific and technical information and policies and regulations relevant to food, health and nutrition
* Ability to plan, develop, organize, and facilitate effective deliberative bodies (e.g., workgroups, workshops, roundtables, expert panels) by drawing upon scientific and technical expertise
* Ability to apply an understanding of research funding sources, mechanisms, and processes to effectively develop grant and contract proposals
* Ability to apply an understanding of the peer-reviewed publication process to develop and prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals/publications
* Ability to effectively apply an understanding of relevant national and international standards-setting and policy-making bodies and activities
* Analyze, synthesize, and propose priorities for research funding in the science of food and technology
* Enthusiastic continuous learner staying abreast with scientific and industry developments

Work Conditions

* Travel 10% domestically, including the ability to occasionally attend evening, weekend and overnight meetings

Physical demands

* Sitting for extended periods of time and may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
* Use of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and handling of other office equipment
* Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work

IFT strives to create a world where Diversity & Inclusion are universally valued as essential to advancing the science of food and providing a safe, nutritious, and sustainable food supply for everyone. Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion are key to IFT's Mission by attracting and serving a diverse population of members, food science professionals, and staff by embracing a culture of inclusion.