Public Affairs Strategist

Evolv Technologies Inc. • Waltham, MA

8h • $102,000 - $166,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Evolv, we're helping redefine how public spaces approach safety. Trusted by schools, hospitals, entertainment venues, sports stadiums, and other organizations across the country, our technology is helping communities create safer environments while preserving the welcoming experiences people expect. As a Public Affairs Strategist, you'll lead Evolv's work to advance state-level policy that establishes advanced weapons screening as a recognized standard for keeping students and staff safe in K-12 schools. You'll build the state-by-state game plan — mapping the legislative and regulatory landscape, identifying and engaging the policymakers and community organizations who shape school-safety decisions, and organizing the coalitions that turn a shared goal into enacted policy. You'll begin with top priority states and carry them forward over time, expanding to new states as the program grows, and you'll help identify, direct, and manage outside lobbying partners where they can accelerate progress. This role is ideal for a public affairs professional who has moved policy through statehouses before, thrives in complex multi-stakeholder environments, communicates with credibility and diplomacy across the political spectrum, helps identify the funding for new policy mandates and is energized by work that creates meaningful impact for students and communities.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in government affairs, public affairs, legislative or regulatory campaigns, stakeholder engagement, chief of staff or public-sector relations, with direct experience advancing policy at the state level.
• Demonstrated success helping develop and pass — or materially advance — state legislation or regulation, ideally across more than one state, from concept through enactment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and organize coalitions of external stakeholders (associations, advocacy and community organizations, public-sector partners) and mobilize them in support of a shared policy goal.
• Strong influence skills: the ability to map a legislative landscape, identify the right decision-makers, and earn the meeting without formal authority.
• Experience working across the political spectrum and tailoring messaging to different political environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear messaging, briefing materials, stakeholder communications, and executive-ready updates.
• High integrity, discretion, and professionalism when operating in sensitive, politically neutral, and externally visible environments.
• Comfort traveling as needed and reside within reasonable access to a major airport.
• Candidates should be comfortable traveling as needed and reside within reasonable access to a major airport.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in K-12 education, school safety, public safety, violence prevention, healthcare, or other mission-driven sectors.
• Experience selecting, directing, and managing outside lobbyists or government-relations firms.
• Familiarity with school safety standards organizations, research institutions, advocacy groups, or public-sector partners.
• Familiarity with state legislative process, regulatory pathways, public funding mechanisms, and grant programs relevant to school safety.
• Experience building evidence-based cases or supporting independent research and validation.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, high-growth environment where priorities may evolve and the path forward is not always fully defined.

Responsibilities

• Build and own the state-by-state plan to advance advanced weapons screening as a school-safety standard — beginning with priority states and expanding over time.
• For each state, map the legislative and regulatory landscape, identify the most viable policy vehicle (legislation, regulation, code, or funding mechanism), and define a realistic path to adoption.
• Pair each policy effort with a viable funding pathway so that adopted standards can actually be implemented.
• Maintain a prioritization framework that sequences states by feasibility and opportunity and adapts as conditions change.
• Identify, map, and engage the legislators, committee staff, public-sector leaders, and community organizations that shape school-safety policy in each state.
• Build and organize coalitions of credible third-party voices — parent and education organizations, school-safety associations, principals and superintendents, and other community stakeholders — who can advocate for safer schools.
• Develop a tailored value proposition and engagement approach for each stakeholder, and build the relationships and pathways needed to earn the meeting.
• Represent Evolv in external forums, industry events, working groups, and standards organizations as appropriate.
• Identify the states where engaging outside lobbying or government-relations partners will accelerate progress, and recommend when and where to do so.
• Select, direct, and manage outside lobbyists and consultants, ensuring their work aligns with Evolv's strategy, messaging, and compliance standards.
• Coordinate registration, disclosure, and reporting requirements in partnership with Legal and Compliance.
• Work cross-functionally with Growth, Marketing, Sales, Product, and Customer Success to gather customer insights and develop evidence-based proof points.
• Support relationships with research organizations and third-party partners to advance independent validation and studies that strengthen market and policymaker confidence.
• Develop clear, locally relevant messaging and briefing materials for legislators, community organizations, and the public.
• Partner closely with Legal and Compliance to ensure all external engagement aligns with company policy and applicable law, including lobbying registration, political neutrality, anti-corruption, and business-courtesy requirements.
• Uphold Evolv's commitment to responsible, neutral, and transparent engagement with public officials, partners, and communities.

Benefits

• Equity as part of your total compensation package
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• A 401(k) plan (and 2% company match)
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)- take the time you need to recharge, with manager approval and business needs in mind
• Quarterly stipend for perks and benefits that matter most to you
• Tuition reimbursement to support your ongoing learning and development
• Subscription to Calm

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed