Project Manager / Senior Regulatory Lead - USDA

The Project Manager / Senior Regulatory Lead provides strategic leadership and oversight for regulatory support services to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). This role is responsible for managing all aspects of rulemaking support, including project execution, regulatory analysis, stakeholder coordination, and delivery of high-quality communications and policy products.

The position serves as the primary interface with Government leadership and ensures all deliverables—such as rule drafting, comment analysis, and implementation materials—are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with federal regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Management

• Lead execution of all contract deliverables, including: 
  • Project plans and schedules 
  • Weekly tracking and reporting 
  • Rulemaking support activities 
• Manage timelines, priorities, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent regulatory efforts 
• Ensure deliverables meet quality, timeliness, and compliance standards 

Regulatory Strategy & Oversight

• Provide subject matter expertise on federal rulemaking and the Administrative Procedures Act 
• Oversee development and editing of regulatory documents, ensuring: 
  • Clarity and plain language 
  • Alignment with federal and USDA style requirements 
• Guide development of policy recommendations and regulatory responses 

Public Comment Analysis Leadership

• Direct analysis of large volumes of public comments on proposed rules 
• Oversee identification of: 
  • Key themes 
  • High-risk issues 
  • Policy implications 
• Ensure development of clear, actionable summaries to inform final rulemaking 

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Serve as primary liaison to USDA NOP leadership and stakeholders 
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and decision-making sessions 
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration among analysts, writers, and developers 

Communications & Rule Implementation

• Oversee development of: 
  • Rollout strategies 
  • Communication plans 
  • Executive briefings and presentations 
• Ensure consistency of messaging across all outreach materials 

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Public Policy, Law, Communications, or related field 
• 10+ years of experience in: 
• Federal regulatory environments 
• Program/project management 
• Strong knowledge of: 
• Federal rulemaking process 
• USDA or similar agency operations 
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management experience