Careers

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 more than 3.2 million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $490 billion in annual U.S. retail sales.

The AAFA team – including Membership, Policy, Events & Programming, Communications & Marketing, and Finance - is primarily based in Washington, D.C. with varying hybrid schedules.

For full-time positions, all applicants must write to jobs@aafaglobal.org. Benefits include bonus potential and:

  • Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • 401(K) Plan with profit sharing
  • Generous PTO and holiday time

AAFA’s year-round internships are competitive, combining academic experience to real world situations that advance the apparel and footwear industry.

Full-time Positions

Content Manager, Events and Programming

Position Description and Basic Function:

The primary objective of this position is to contribute to the association's education and non-dues revenue programming initiatives, with the events and programming department responsible for approximately 40% of AAFA’s revenue.

The Content Manager is responsible for managing high-visibility components of AAFA’s conferences, seminars, and webinar programs including in-person programs (presented domestically and internationally) as well as virtual programs and webinars - focusing on content and agenda development, speaker identification and management, pre/post, and on-site event coordination, and serving in lead and supporting role functions for specific events. Regular telework flexibility (position requires at least one day per week onsite in DC); consideration for the position to be fully remote based on the right candidate.

Specific Responsibilities:

Content Curation

Establish and cultivate innovative content offerings for AAFA events that will help drive attendance and align with AAFA’s key priorities by:

  • Developing strategy and execution plans for assigned education and industry programs across AAFA’s event portfolio.
  • Keeping a pulse on industry news, used to identify hot topics, trends, and items of potential interest to members.
  • Maintaining an understanding of the issues impacting the industry to accurately curate agenda content and identify relevant industry speakers.
  • Working closely with AAFA’s internal subject matter experts to identify topics and speakers.
  • Effectively collaborating across departments to enhance the association’s position as thought leaders and influential policy architects to develop superior programming.
  • Managing a ‘Call for Speakers’ process for assigned programs.

Program Execution and Production

Deliver inspiring, well-executed programs by:

  • Managing all aspects of speaker logistics, including the invitation process, preparation for programming, and collecting necessary materials, presentations, AV needs, and communication of on-site logistics.
  • Hosting session planning calls with speakers to develop specific content and flow for assigned programs, keeping them on track with expected deliverables.
  • Managing all agenda session details including scripting, prep calls, content timelines, rehearsals, and onsite experience through post-event follow-up.
  • Working closely with AAFA’s Communications & Marketing team to increase the quality of event information shared by collaborating on marketing materials and collateral to ensure that program information is comprehensive, accurate, and timely.
  • Creating, conducting, and analyzing post-event surveys to continually improve programming.

Events and Programming Support

Serve in a program support role for additional AAFA events and programs including but not limited to:

  • Assisting with on-site event logistics.
  • Managing the industry competition calendar.
  • Serving as backup support to the Coordinator of Events and Programming for AAFA’s webinar program.
  • Assisting in training new department staff in department protocols, database operations, and website.

  • Leveraging project management software/digital tools.
  • Recommending process improvements.
  • Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

  • College degree or equivalent years of experience. Five years of association and program planning experience.
  • Strong sense of accountability and ownership, with an ability to manage projects and clearly communicate your results back to stakeholders.
  • Excellent project management skills and strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and be a team player.
  • Proficiency in MS Office, familiarity with membership databases (iMIS a plus), and/or a willingness to be trained in website management and registration systems.
  • The position will require the ability to travel overnight, approximately up to 25 nights a year (travel could potentially include a weekend day and/or international travel).
  • Ability to lift and move boxes onsite at events (up to 20 lbs).
  • Knowledge of supply chain management in the apparel and footwear industry is a plus.

Location:

Washington, D.C. (mix of telework and office days) 

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000, based on experience.

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobapps@aafaglobal.org, attention Corinne Suder.


Trade Policy Coordinator

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.

Qualifications:

  • 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.

Location:

Washington, DC (hybrid – 2-3X week in office). Some domestic travel, periodic international travel.

Salary:

$50,000 - $65,000, depending on experience and expertise.

To Apply

Please send your submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobapps@aafaglobal.org


Sustainability Policy Coordinator

Basic Function:

The primary objective of this position is to support the association’s work on sustainability, product safety, chemical management, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues, including supporting AAFA’s Environmental Committee, AAFA’s Product Safety Council, and AAFA’s Social Responsibility Committee.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Provide logistical and administrative support to the Director, Sustainability 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 Director, Sustainability, 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 Product Safety and Compliance Seminar, the annual AAFA Traceability & Sustainability 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.

Qualifications:

  • BA/BS.
  • Experience/expertise in sustainability and/or product safety/chemical management/social responsibility.
  • 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.

Location:

Washington, DC (hybrid – 2-3X week in office). Some domestic travel, periodic international travel.

Salary:

$50,000 - $65,000, depending on experience and expertise.

To Apply

Please send your submit cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobapps@aafaglobal.org

Internship Opportunities

Policy Intern

About this Job:

AAFA offers competitive internship opportunities in our Policy Department. The department is interested in legislative and regulatory matters at national and international levels, while directing lobbying and advocacy responses for matters affecting the apparel and footwear industries.

We focus our policy work around three core pillars: brand protection, trade, and supply chain and manufacturing. 

Key responsibilities:

  • Participate in virtual meetings with AAFA members on policy-related matters as well as occasional external meetings with government agencies and members of Congress.
  • Support the creation of AAFA regulatory resources and tools.
  • Support the development of letters and agendas and summarize regulatory updates.
  • Support development of presentation content for policy-oriented speaking engagements.

Personal characteristics and qualifications:

  • Demonstrated interest in trade, legislative, and regulatory matters.
  • Demonstrated interest in corporate social responsibility and/or sustainability a plus.
  • Detail-oriented and well-organized.

Application Process:

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for a summer 2024 internship. Please send your resume and a short email about your interest in the position to jobapps@aafaglobal.org

Note: Must be located in the United States and authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization and able to participate in internship within AAFA business hours (9am – 6pm Eastern Daylight Time).

Location:

Washington, D.C. (mix of telework and office days)