Director Government and Community Relations

The Jackson Laboratory•New York, NY

About The Position

The Director of Government and Community Relations develops and manages relationships with federal, state, and local officials to promote The Jackson Laboratory’s mission and strategic objectives. The role shapes and monitors legislation, policies, and regulations affecting JAX; serves as a liaison to civic organizations, chambers of commerce, trade groups, and community stakeholders; and identifies opportunities for collaboration and organizational support through advocacy and community engagement. The Director is JAX’s lead government affairs representative in New York. The position works with senior leadership and internal and external stakeholders to develop and coordinate government affairs, advocacy, policy, and stakeholder-engagement strategies. It monitors legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and policy developments affecting biomedical research and nonprofit research institutions, advises leadership on risks and opportunities, and advances public-sector funding opportunities and strategic partnerships that support research, workforce, and economic competitiveness. The Jackson Laboratory is an independent nonprofit biomedical research institution, founded in 1929, with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees across locations in the United States, Japan, and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community to improve human health.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; a combination of education and experience may be considered.
At least 6 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy advocacy.
At least 6 years of supervisory experience.
Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes relevant to biomedical research and nonprofit operations.
Demonstrated success building relationships with government officials and community organizations.
Ability to translate organizational priorities into effective advocacy strategies, navigate complex policy landscapes, anticipate political implications, and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunities.
Strategic communication skills, delivering clear and compelling messages tailored to diverse audiences and aligned with organizational priorities.
Stakeholder and community engagement skills to build trust with community partners, government entities, and advocacy groups through transparent, proactive engagement.
Relationship-building skills, including diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.
Cross-functional collaboration skills to integrate scientific, technical, and administrative teams in coordinated, evidence-based decision-making.
Ability to identify emerging issues, lead crisis response, and protect organizational credibility through strategic foresight and communication.
Deep knowledge of New York City and New York State legislative, regulatory, budgetary, appropriations, and economic development processes, and understanding of federal government affairs.
Demonstrated ability to develop and coordinate advocacy strategies across federal, state, and local jurisdictions, aligning policy, funding, and institutional priorities.
Experience identifying and advancing public-sector funding opportunities, including appropriations, capital investments, economic development initiatives, grants, and competitive funding proposals.
Ability to build trusted relationships, convene coalitions, and facilitate executive-level engagement across government, research, policy, business, philanthropic, advocacy, and community stakeholders.
Strong understanding of policy and funding issues affecting biomedical research, stem cell science, novel therapeutics, scientific workforce development, and nonprofit research institutions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
At least 8 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy advocacy preferred.
At least 8 years of supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain relationships with state, federal, and local officials under the direction of senior leadership.
Shape legislative and policy agendas at local, state, and national levels, consistent with nonprofit limitations, with a focus on employee relations, nonprofit policy, regulatory affairs, and legislation related to research, biotechnology, and health care.
Serve as JAX’s liaison to civic organizations, chambers of commerce, trade groups, and community groups, representing the organization across New York State.
Identify opportunities for colleagues to advance programs and organizational objectives through community connections and collaborative strategies.
Develop and communicate government affairs strategies with senior leadership, internal stakeholders, and aligned external organizations.
Serve as JAX’s lead government affairs representative in New York and develop and coordinate federal, state, and local strategies that advance organizational, scientific, policy, and funding priorities.
Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and policy developments affecting biomedical research and nonprofit research institutions, and advise senior and executive leadership on emerging risks, opportunities, and organizational impact.
Develop and execute advocacy, policy, and stakeholder-engagement strategies, building relationships with government officials, agencies, community leaders, and external partners.
Identify and advance state, local, and federal funding opportunities, including appropriations, capital investments, economic development initiatives, grants, and other public-sector funding aligned with organizational priorities.
Strengthen JAX’s presence within New York’s life sciences, policy, business, philanthropic, and advocacy communities by developing strategic partnerships, facilitating executive engagement, and advancing initiatives that support research, workforce, and economic competitiveness.
Support senior leadership on initiatives as needed and directed.