Senior Policy Advisor

MIT • Cambridge, MA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Policy Advisor, MIT Washington DC Office, Office of the President, creates and maintains relationships with federal agencies and serves as the principal point of contact between MIT and Congress, peers in national higher education, science, engineering, and industry organizations, and MIT students, faculty, alumni, and senior leadership. Specific policy issues and areas of assignment will depend on the background and interests of the successful candidate but may include emerging technology including quantum and artificial intelligence, biotechnology, defense, government funded research efforts, and higher education policy. The role involves analyzing and monitoring policy proposals from Congress and the Executive Branch, communicating findings and outlook to campus departments and leadership to evaluate impacts to MIT, developing responsive arguments and messaging, directly advocating for MIT positions and policy initiatives on relevant topics to policymakers, arranging and preparing MIT leadership for meetings with federal policy makers and influencers, and actively participating in and taking leadership roles within coalitions, associations, and working groups to advance science, technology, and higher education policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience, including work in government relations, or in a government agency and/or policy for a trade association, non-profit, or corporation or within a government agency or the Congress.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Willing and able to take initiative.
• Willing and able to juggle a diverse portfolio.
• Willing and able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

• Background and interests may include emerging technology including quantum and artificial intelligence, biotechnology, defense, government funded research efforts, and higher education policy.

Responsibilities

• Creates and maintains relationships with federal agencies.
• Serves as principal point of contact between MIT and Congress, peers in national higher education, science, engineering, and industry organizations, and MIT students, faculty, alumni, and senior leadership.
• Analyzes and monitors policy proposals from Congress and the Executive Branch.
• Communicates findings and outlook to campus departments and leadership to evaluate impacts to MIT.
• Develops responsive arguments and messaging.
• Directly advocates for MIT positions and policy initiatives on relevant topics to policymakers.
• Arranges and prepares MIT leadership for meetings with federal policy makers and influencers.
• Actively participates in and takes leadership roles within coalitions, associations, and working groups to advance science, technology, and higher education policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior