Director Government and Community Relations
About The Position
The Director of Government & 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 the Laboratory and serves as liaison to civic organizations, chambers of commerce, trade groups, and community stakeholders. The Director identifies collaboration opportunities and supports organizational initiatives through targeted advocacy and community engagement. As JAX's lead government affairs representative in New York, the Director coordinates strategies that advance organizational, scientific, policy, and funding priorities. The role monitors legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and policy developments; advises senior and executive leadership on risks, opportunities, and impacts; and develops advocacy, policy, and stakeholder engagement strategies. It also identifies and advances public-sector funding opportunities and strengthens JAX's presence across New York's life sciences, policy, business, philanthropic, and advocacy communities.
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.
- Polished strategic communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, compelling messages tailored to diverse audiences and aligned with organizational priorities.
- Excellent stakeholder and community engagement skills to build trust with community partners, government entities, and advocacy groups through transparent, proactive engagement.
- Strong 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, with an 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.
- Strong 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.
- 8 or more years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy advocacy.
- 8 or more years of supervisory experience.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain strong 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 the organization's liaison to civic organizations, chambers of commerce, trade groups, and community groups, representing JAX across the 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, developing and coordinating federal, state, and local strategies to 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 strategic 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.
- Represent and 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
