Program Director - EPI Center

AAAS•Washington, DC

About The Position

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) seeks a dynamic, growth-oriented science policy leader to take the Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues (EPI Center) into its next phase. The EPI Center bolsters public decisions about the most important issues of our day by facilitating scientific evidence’s inclusion in a complex process through high-touch, high-context dialogue and resources. The EPI Center advances evidence-informed decision making by: Bringing policy-relevant, unbiased, non-partisan scientific evidence to public decisionmakers at all levels of government; Facilitating multi-sector and multi-stakeholder engagements (virtual and in-person) to build trusted relationships between scientists and policymakers to deliver clear, actionable, and timely information to the people who need it most. The Center's collaborative engagement model leverages partnerships with nationally recognized civic intermediaries—including the National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Council of State Governments—to reach state and local decision-makers across the political spectrum. To date, EPI Center projects have reached over 10,000 decision-makers, including officials in every state, U.S. territory, and Washington, DC, enabling policymakers to more easily access, understand and incorporate scientific expertise into their decision-making. Help us ignite the next era of science.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (preferred: advanced degree in science, public policy, or communications-related discipline).
10+ years of experience in progressively responsible positions in program development and management of science and policy programs in academia, government, or business.
Ideally, at least 5 years of demonstrated success in overseeing a complex, demanding, and mission-oriented enterprise.
Demonstrated success in non-profit fundraising, including conceptualizing and writing grant proposals and managing grant activities and budgets.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
Strong track record with project management to include experience with project launches, development, promotion, implementation, communication, dissemination; personnel management, including, ideally, leading a partially remote team; budget development and financial oversight, and collaborator engagement.
Significant experience in representation on scientific and public policy issues, such as congressional testimony, speeches, media appearances, and writing for publication.
Strong understanding of elected decision-makers and their professional staff as an audience, including an understanding of the policymaking landscape at state/local and/or federal levels.
Demonstrated success in building and maintaining multi-stakeholder networks and partnerships; ability to act as a liaison with scientific, engineering, civil society, private- and public-sector partners; and ability to make presentations to such groups.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success in scaling non-profit initiatives a plus.
Experience with issues-based campaigns a plus.

Responsibilities

Serves as an energetic team leader, determining overall priorities, continually refining the EPI Center value proposition in a complex and rapidly changing policy ecosystem.
Serves as the primary champion and external face for the program, to include building partnerships with civic intermediary organizations, relevant policymakers and their professional staff, scientists and scientific organizations, and existing and prospective funders.
Leads fundraising strategy and activities in close consultation with and with support from the AAAS Office of Advancement, including identifying and engaging prospective funders, soliciting funding (including grant and contract writing), and managing funder relationships.
Takes primary program-level responsibility for budget, grants, and personnel management.
Serves as top manager of all Center employees, overseeing program-level personnel considerations and decisions including hiring, training, promotions, assessments, and short- and long-term adjustments to duties as needed to ensure programmatic success and continuity of operations.
Determine resource allocation within the Center and monitor budgets on an ongoing basis to ensure timely compliance with funders’ reporting requirements and AAAS policy and procedures.
Takes overarching responsibility for the content, accuracy, and tone of all public-facing communications.
Oversee publication and release of reports, fact sheets, and other written or video deliverables directed toward decision makers and influencers in formats useful to them and responsive to their needs.
Collaborate and coordinate across AAAS programs to build multi-audience and multi-stakeholder engagement approaches that optimize effective use of resources and advance the use of science in public decision-making.
Additional duties as assigned.