Chief Government Affairs Officer

AAAS•Washington, DC

11d•$250,000 - $280,000

About The Position

The Chief Government Affairs Officer (CGAO) leads AAAS’ government affairs and advocacy strategies in support of the association’s mission and priorities, strengthening its role as a trusted, nonpartisan voice for science, research, and evidence-based policymaking. The CGAO develops and executes an integrated strategy across Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, state and local governments, and other policy stakeholders. As an ambassador for AAAS and the American scientific community, the CGAO builds relationships with policymakers and their staffs, academic organizations, industry partners, professional societies, and others to increase the visibility and impact of AAAS policy and advocacy efforts. The CGAO leads government affairs professionals and serves as the principal internal and external advisor on federal legislative and executive-branch policy developments affecting science, research, innovation, scientific integrity, research funding, and the science and technology ecosystem, including funding and policy at state and local levels. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the CGAO is a member of the AAAS Leadership Advisory Council and Public Affairs Leadership Team and works closely with units across the organization, including Communications; Science, Policy, and Society Programs; Membership; Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships; and Publishing. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight of AAAS government affairs, public policy, and advocacy initiatives. It leads the organization’s federal, state, and local engagement; advises senior leaders; oversees R&D budget and policy analysis; and manages staff, programs, projects, events, professional development, vendors, performance management, and budgets. The position manages two direct reports and a total staff of five.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience in government affairs, advocacy, strategic communications, public policy, or a closely related field.
At least five years of relevant senior leadership experience.
Deep understanding of the federal policymaking process and Washington, DC political environment.
Strong understanding of science, technology, research, higher education, or related policy environments.
Ability to explain complex policy or technical issues clearly and persuasively to non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated success building relationships with senior policymakers, government officials, media, and other influential stakeholders.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building, coaching, and mentoring government affairs professionals at different career stages.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent political judgment and ability to operate effectively in sensitive and rapidly changing environments.
Experience advising senior executives on high-stakes public affairs matters.
Ability to develop and execute organization-wide strategies rather than manage individual functions in isolation.
Advanced university-level training leading to a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Outstanding collaborative, unifying leadership and work style, including experience leading and working on diverse, cross-organizational teams with colleagues at all levels.
Strong record of implementation and ability to manage multiple key initiatives concurrently.
Ability to position government relations and advocacy discussions at both strategic and tactical levels.
Self-starter able to work independently and entrepreneurially.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead an integrated, organization-wide government affairs and advocacy strategy aligned with AAAS’ mission, goals, and initiatives.
Partner with the COO and CEO to set government affairs priorities and institutional positioning; report directly to the COO.
Monitor science and technology legislation, policies, rules, and regulations, identifying emerging opportunities and threats.
Lead AAAS’ federal government affairs strategy and engagement with Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, and other federal stakeholders.
Develop strategies to advance AAAS priorities through legislation, appropriations, regulations, executive actions, and other policy mechanisms.
Build relationships with congressional and Administration officials and their staffs.
Oversee engagement on issues affecting federal research and development, scientific institutions, the scientific workforce, and the research ecosystem.
Coordinate federal advocacy with communications, R&D budget and policy, and external coalition efforts; collaborate with STEM professional societies, academic institutions, and industry groups.
Serve on internal and external advisory committees and represent AAAS on science and technology coalitions.
Anticipate political and policy developments and advise the COO, CEO, and senior leadership on their implications.
Establish and lead AAAS’ state and local government engagement strategy on science, research, innovation, education, and related policy issues.
Build relationships with governors’ offices, state legislators, mayors, local officials, state agencies, national state- and local-focused associations, and other stakeholders.
Expand AAAS’ influence beyond Washington and strengthen its role as a national resource for science-informed policymaking.
Coordinate state and local government affairs with federal policy and communications priorities; develop partnerships and coalitions at state and local levels.
Coordinate with state and local science-for-policy work in other AAAS units, including the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues.
Provide strategic leadership for analysis of federal R&D budgets and related science and technology policy.
Oversee analysis and advocacy concerning federal R&D funding, agency budgets, appropriations, and broader research policy.
Translate R&D budget and policy work into advocacy and public communications.
Partner with scientific societies, research institutions, universities, industry, philanthropy, and other stakeholders to advance federal investment in research and innovation.
Provide the COO, CEO, and senior leadership with timely, credible analysis of developments affecting the federal R&D enterprise and position AAAS as a trusted voice on the federal research and development landscape.
Establish AAAS’ strategy for analyzing state, regional, local, and private R&D budgets and related science and technology policy.
Serve as a resource on science and technology policy, legislation, and R&D funding for AAAS staff and members, government, and peer organizations.
Direct Office of Government Affairs advocacy programs, including the weekly Policy Alert, congressional briefings, policy briefs, and science and technology policy workshops and trainings.
Work with the Office of Communications to develop and execute a public affairs strategy advancing institutional policy and advocacy priorities.
Contribute to AAAS-wide planning and strategy discussions.
Supervise Government Affairs staff, projects, and events; oversee professional development, vendor management, performance management, and budgeting.
Lead and develop the Government Affairs team, including two direct reports and a total staff of five.