Manager of Government Affairs

FAS • Washington DC, DC

9d • $70,000 - $85,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) seeks a strategic and collaborative Manager of Government Affairs to advance our mission at the intersection of science, policy, and governance. In this pivotal role, you will help shape and execute FAS's engagement strategy across both the executive and legislative branches, driving meaningful policy impact on critical issues ranging from emerging technology and climate solutions to government capacity and scientific funding. As Manager of Government Affairs, you will serve as a key connector, building coalitions, cultivating relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, and translating complex policy ideas into actionable advocacy strategies. You'll work alongside subject matter experts, communications professionals, and strategists to mobilize support for evidence-based policies while developing internal capacity through training and mentorship. This position offers the opportunity to flex both political acumen and policy entrepreneurship skills, finding creative pathways to move sound ideas from concept to implementation. The ideal candidate is an adept relationship-builder who can navigate diverse political landscapes, adapt communication approaches to varied audiences, and create systems that enable effective, ethical engagement with government. If you're passionate about leveraging science and policy to address society's most pressing challenges and thrive in collaborative, mission-driven environments, this role offers meaningful impact at a critical moment for science policy.

Requirements

• 5+ years total relevant experience directly related to policy engagement, including 1–3 years in Hill, Executive Branch, or government-affairs roles.
• Exposure across science & technology policy domains.
• Proven ability to execute a strategy and work within a portfolio (annual/quarterly OKRs, roadmaps) and deliver results with minimal oversight.
• Policy entrepreneurship: turning ideas into action via legislative/executive pathways (e.g., bill/report language, executive actions, pilots).
• Exceptional stakeholder management and coalition building across congressional offices, agencies, philanthropy, and civil society.
• Advanced communication skills: concise briefs/memos, talking points, and compelling data-informed narratives tailored to decision-makers.
• Strong analytical rigor and judgment for intelligence gathering.
• Program management: coordinating cross-functional teams; managing vendors/contractors as needed.
• High bar for nonpartisan professionalism and evidence of working effectively across parties and viewpoints.
• Process and compliance discipline (lobbying/ethics rules) and consistent use of CRM to track outreach, pipelines, and outcomes.
• Excellent organization and prioritization, able to manage multiple time-sensitive efforts in a fast-moving environment.
• Comfort operating across multiple S&T domains (e.g., emerging tech, clean energy, government capacity) and pivoting as priorities evolve.

Responsibilities

• 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 policy agendas
• Gathering intelligence to discern the signal from the noise and and refine existing advocacy and lobbying strategies based on learnings
• Adapting communication styles and methods (e.g., data, storytelling) to meet the audience’s needs to advance progress around policy goals
• Mastering key aspects of the policy entrepreneurship toolkit, including finding creative pathways to shepherd sound policy ideas to implementation via Congressional or Executive Branch action
• Stewarding clear, transparent, and accessible systems and processes for staff involved in government affairs to follow related to engaging with relevant stakeholders
• Breaking down silos and building connectivity across teams to work together around a common goal
• Training and coaching staff towards becoming more skilled policy entrepreneurs and political operators with Congressional and Executive Branch action in mind
• Maintaining a strong network across the executive and legislative branches of government to cultivate meaningful partnerships for policy solutions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees