Director of Government Relations

Job Description:

This position plays a critical role for Activate, leading the development and implementation of our fundraising, policy advocacy, and positioning strategy with the federal government, particularly with new agencies and partners.

The Director, Government Relations is responsible for initiating and managing a range of strategies and projects to favorably influence key stakeholders in support of Activate’s government fundraising, partnership, and policy objectives. Working with the Growth, Engagement and Partnerships team, the Director will work with the CGO to develop and execute strategy to impact government stakeholders and opinion leaders about the need to support more entrepreneurial scientists and engineers who are commercializing science to market.

Role Responsibilities:

• Initiate, manage, and execute on a range of government strategies and projects in collaboration with other Activate team members, consultants, and third-party stakeholders to secure new funding and new partners and promote Activate’s policy agenda
• Monitor, research, analyze and track key legislation and funding opportunities at the federal levels;
• Identify ad hoc federal funding opportunities and work with Activate’s development team to submit proposals
• Act as a liaison to federal government staffers and policy organizations
• Coordinate internal government strategy meetings to track movement of strategies for internal use only
• Manage Activate’s relationship with government relations firm
• Seek opportunities for Activate to serve as a resource to government, including serving on government commissions/working groups/advisory committees, government events/meetings, and testify before legislative committees when consistent with Activate's interests
• Grow Activate’s network of government relationships and identify ways to engage government personnel in the Activate community
• Develop Activate’s federal policy agenda in collaboration with Activate’s Strategy, Communications, and Engagement team

The Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor's Degree required
• 5+ years experience in government or government relations, including ideally involvement with fundraising, policy advocacy, grassroots and political campaigns or activities
• Track record of winning government awards
• Strong oral and written communication skills required
• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to work as part of cross-functional teams
• Ability to effectively interact with government officials
• Familiarity with federal funding award (grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, etc.) legislation and regulations
• Based in Washington DC
• Bonus: Strong contacts across government, with preference for DOE, DOD. As well as NSF, Commerce, and NASA

This is a full-time position with a Total Compensation of $170,000. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes professional development, $2,000 in annual wellness funds, unlimited paid time off, 90% paid healthcare premiums for employees and dependents, and the opportunity to join a retirement plan with a 3% match after 3 months of employment.