Chief Government Affairs Officer

AAAS•Washington, DC

10d•$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, academic organizations, industry partners, professional societies, and others to increase the visibility and impact of AAAS policy and advocacy efforts. The CGAO leads a team of government affairs professionals and serves as the principal internal and external advisor on legislative and executive-branch developments affecting science, research, innovation, scientific integrity, research funding, and the science and technology ecosystem. The role also covers state and local science and technology funding and policy. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the CGAO is a member of the AAAS Leadership Advisory Council and Public Affairs Leadership Team and coordinates closely with Communications; Science, Policy, and Society Programs; Membership; Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships; Publishing; and other units. The CGAO sets organization-wide government affairs priorities in partnership with the COO and CEO; leads federal, state, and local engagement; oversees analysis and advocacy related to R&D budgets and science policy; and advises senior leadership on developments affecting AAAS and the scientific community. The position also directs advocacy programs, contributes to AAAS-wide planning, supervises staff and projects, and oversees professional development, vendor management, performance management, and budgeting. The role manages two direct reports and a total team of five.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience in government affairs, advocacy, strategic communications, public policy, or a closely related field.
At least 5 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 varying career stages.
Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and oral 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 managing individual functions in isolation.
Advanced university-level training leading to a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Collaborative, unifying leadership and work style, including experience working with diverse, cross-organizational teams and colleagues at all levels.
Strong implementation skills 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 implementation of 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 and identify 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 federal policy mechanisms.
Build relationships with congressional and Administration officials and their staffs, and oversee engagement on issues affecting federal R&D, 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 professional societies, academic institutions, industry groups, and other STEM community partners.
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 public 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 develop partnerships and coalitions to strengthen science-informed policymaking at state and local levels.
Coordinate state and local government affairs with federal policy and communications priorities and with related work in other AAAS units.
Provide strategic leadership for AAAS’ 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 research policy; translate this 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 senior leadership with clear, timely, credible analysis of developments affecting the federal R&D enterprise and position AAAS as a trusted voice on the 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 internal and external audiences.
Direct Office of Government Affairs advocacy programs, including the weekly Policy Alert, congressional briefings, policy briefs, and science and technology policy workshops and trainings.
Collaborate with the Office of Communications on public affairs strategy supporting institutional policy and advocacy priorities.
Contribute to AAAS-wide planning and strategy discussions.
Supervise Government Affairs staff, projects, and events; oversee staff development, vendor management, performance management, and budgeting.