Director of Government Affairs

Why FAS?  

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency.  As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise

This is a founding role.  Do you have the unique set of attributes we need?

People Skills

What leadership skills do you need to possess to be a strong candidate?

Management expertise that led to strong results for a team, including:

• Coaching and/or developing staff, with evidence to support success
• Creating and iterating on structures and systems to effectively support talent development, including selection, onboarding and expectation setting, coaching, and career development
• Articulating what excellent performance looks like, and establishing clear metrics to celebrate growth and ensure accountability
• Tracking data consistently and being able to produce evidence over time that proves a demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion 

Impact and influence towards a common goal without formal authority, including:

• Building credibility and trust with team members and external stakeholders across the executive and legislative branches of government 
• Mobilizing allies and building coalitions to support a policy agenda 
• Finding common ground and establishing non-negotiables with all partners to ensure clarity and momentum
• Extraordinary listening skills to glean key insights from others, including the ability to discern the signal from the noise and and refine existing strategies based on learnings
• Adaptability in communication styles and methods (e.g., data, storytelling) to meet the audience’s needs to advance progress around policy goals
• In the face of resistance and setbacks, the ability to be resilient and generative with alternative solutions to ensure that goals are met

Expertise

What knowledge and skills do you need to demonstrate proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

• Demonstrated ability to coalesce complex subject matter into a clear policy agenda 
• Mastery of key aspects of the policy entrepreneurship toolkit, including finding creative pathways to shepherd sound policy ideas to implementation  
• Proven ability to design and implement an overarching government affairs strategy focused on impact, along with key tactics and measures of success
• Proficiency around creating clear, transparent, and accessible systems and processes for staff involved in government affairs to follow related to engaging with relevant stakeholders
• Skilled at breaking down silos and building connectivity with people across teams to work together around a common goal
• Adept at training and coaching staff towards becoming more skilled policy entrepreneurs
• Experience in working across the federal policy landscape with legislative expertise
• A strong network across the executive and legislative branches of government and able to leverage their network to cultivate meaningful partnerships for policy solutions 
• Organizational leadership skills equipping one to serve as a member of the FAS Leadership Team

Nice to haves

• Experience overseeing organization-wide communications 
• Subject matter expertise in science or technology 

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

FAS seeks an inaugural Director of Government Affairs to lead overarching strategy design and implementation efforts across the executive and legislative branches of government. This position will work in concert with the strategy, communications and subject matter experts to drive impact across policy areas including, but not limited to, Emerging Technology and Competitiveness, Science Policy, Science Funding, Climate and Environment, Clean Energy and Government Capacity.  

The ideal candidate will steward the advancement of evidence-based, non-partisan policy priorities and play a key role in issue education and advocacy and advancement.  The person hired for the role will curate, oversee and implement a clear engagement strategy, and translate that strategy to action with FAS staff so that FAS team members can build the skills needed to be successful policy entrepreneurs.  The Director will support colleagues in providing issue education and advocacy on timely key issues and partner with the leadership team in setting and implementing the policy agenda.

Work Environment 

This position will be a hybrid role, meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated, generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote.  

Salary Range

$150,000 – $200,000

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists  prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.