The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the trade association that advocates on behalf of the No.1 beverage in the United States: bottled water. IBWA’s membership consists of U.S. and international bottlers and distributors that produce and deliver bottled water products and the suppliers that serve them. IBWA is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to establish comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality water. In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is the mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.

Summary of Position Responsibilities 

The Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs serves as the chief technical, scientific, and regulatory expert for IBWA. This leadership role is responsible for proactively engaging federal and state regulatory agencies, providing technical assistance to lawmakers, and delivering direct regulatory, technical and scientific guidance to IBWA members. The Vice President ensures that all industry positions are grounded in credible science and manages the association's certification, technical, and inspection programs to defend and promote the safety and quality of bottled water. The Vice President also manages one direct report (unfilled vacancy) as well as IBWA consultants and contracts for approved research.

Basic Responsibilities

• Serves as the chief technical and regulatory expert and authority on all scientific and technical affairs which substantiate bottled water as a high-quality, safe food product.
• Provides direct technical and regulatory affairs services and guidance to IBWA members to support their compliance, operations, and market success.
• Provides advice to the President and CEO in carrying out policies approved by the Board of Directors.
• Plans, organizes, and directs research projects, technical programs, regulatory education activities, and meetings of the organization to help ensure that objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs are met.
• Through management and leadership, provides counsel to the Technical Committee, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Communications Committee, Education Committee, Government Relations Committee, and Board of Directors to provide forward-looking programming and constructive growth of the Association through credible documentation of industry positions.
• Maintains effective relationships with other organizations, both public and private, and ensures that the position of the Association and its members is enhanced in accordance with the policies and objectives of the Association.

Specific Responsibilities

• Regulatory Engagement: Actively engages and maintains strong relationships with federal (e.g., FDA, EPA, USDA, HHS, FEMA) and state regulatory agencies and officials. Serves as a primary liaison between the bottled water industry and these agencies on matters of food safety, protection, and rulemaking.
• Policymaker Assistance: Provides expert technical and scientific assistance to federal and state lawmakers and policymakers to inform evidence-based public policy impacting the bottled water industry.
• Member Guidance: Delivers comprehensive technical and regulatory affairs services to members requesting information in the areas of quality control, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)/Preventive Controls programs, food security and defense, testing, analytical methods, and processing techniques.
• Issue Management: Through networking with government, industry, and research organizations, identifies emerging issues affecting the industry. Keeps members informed of the issues and recommends strategies and tactics that will further the objectives of the Association. Protects the collective interests of the members by engaging in a broad spectrum of technical and scientific activity.
• Research & Advocacy: Recommends sponsorships of research and the development of information that addresses bottled water safety, defends industry products, and proactively promotes industry growth. Executes an approved program of action to earn understanding and acceptance among consumers, government, and media.
• Committee Leadership: Serves as the principal scientific and regulatory counsel to the Board of Directors, the Education Committee, the Environmental Sustainability Committee, and the Technical Committee. Attends meetings and prepares educational and technical materials to assist each in furthering the Association's objectives.
• Foundation Management: Serves as the principal technical and scientific liaison to the Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF). Directs and manages scientific research, coordinates and oversees fundraising, and oversees the website.
• Cross-Departmental Counsel: Provides counsel to the Government Relations and Communications Committees so that all legislative and regulatory positions, testimony, and public relations pronouncements are grounded in credible documentation with technical and scientific integrity.
• Program & Contract Management: Negotiates and manages contracts for approved research, independent consultants, and IBWA’s annual inspection program. Monitors performance and negotiates agreeable resolutions to maintain the integrity of the inspection program.
• Department Administration: Establishes a sound structure and directs the work of the department staff. Obtains maximum utilization of staff by defining duties, establishing performance standards, and conducting reviews. Approves arrangements for committee meetings and authors special reports related to the Association's objectives.
• Education & Certification: Serves as a seminar instructor at Association-sponsored meetings. Is responsible for certification programs and related policies, procedures, and budgets. Develops and conducts internal and external technical and regulatory training seminars for members, government officials, and other groups.
• Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned. As needed, obtains and maintains any security clearances necessary to accomplish associated tasks.

Reporting & Evaluation

• Reports to the IBWA President and CEO
• Performance of this job will be evaluated annually

Equal Employment Opportunity

IBWA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. IBWA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

General Qualifications 

• Approximately 15 years of life, physical, and environmental sciences experience.
• Five or more years of management experience.
• Ability to grasp complex scientific and regulatory issues.
• Ability to communicate forward-looking alternative options and costs to association committees and directors.
• Initiative to implement board-approved policy.
• Service-minded attitude.
• Experience with a trade association is preferred, but industry or government experience in food, beverages, or water is highly useful.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are essential to persuasively articulate industry positions in international, federal, and state legislative and regulatory arenas, and in public forums as the industry’s lead scientific and technical spokesperson with the media.
• Management skills and experience negotiating research projects and contracts, overseeing independent consultants, staff administration, and volunteer consensus building and motivation are necessary skills.
• Must perform the position’s functions in a style and manner that clearly conveys that the concerns and needs of members, both small or large, will be addressed with equal attention and consideration by IBWA.

Education Requirements 

Minimum bachelor’s degree in biological, chemical, or environmental science, or a similar discipline. An advanced degree in the above fields is highly desirable.

Location & Travel Requirements

Position is fully remote. Candidate must be able to work in a remote environment. Candidate does not have to reside in Virginia/DC area, but east coast is preferred as staff work in EST. Travel is required for all staff meetings, conferences, and events. 

To Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to careers@bottledwater.org.

About International Bottled Water Association

IBWA is the leading voice for the bottled water industry, providing our members with professional services focused advocacy, communications, technical services, and education. IBWA’s advocacy aims to impact policy and regulation at the global, federal, state, and local level to best serve the interests of our members and industry. We advocate for policies grounded in science, support our members with trusted information and resources, and work to advance safe, reliable hydration for consumers across the country. IBWA’s membership consists of bottlers, distributors, and suppliers across the U.S. and around the world, working together to advance a product people rely on every day. As the authoritative source on all types of bottled water, IBWA is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and transparency. We work closely with federal regulators, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while also setting our own rigorous requirements through the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice—standards that often exceed state and federal regulations and are verified through independent, third-party inspections. At IBWA, our work is driven by science, ...integrity, and collaboration. If you’re interested in shaping policy, supporting industry innovation, and contributing to a trusted and growing sector, explore opportunities to join our team.

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