Policy and Advocacy Director, Science & Technology  

Research!America is the nation’s leading nonprofit membership alliance advocating for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. As Policy and Advocacy Director, Science & Technology, reporting to the Vice President of Advocacy Programs and Initiatives, your primary focus will be managing our non-partisan Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC) to help shape and implement the committee’s agenda. Committee members are drawn from the highest echelon of nonprofit, academic, foundation, and corporate institutions to advocate for significant increases in U.S. investment in science and technology that will secure U.S. global leadership in scientific innovation. As an expert on the intersection of politics, policy, and advocacy with deep knowledge of the legislative and executive branches of government, particularly the appropriations cycle, you will develop and drive initiatives to build on this agenda and advance STAC’s goals.

Enactment of legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act in 2021 and 2022, has presented us with the opportunity to build on these accomplishments by working to secure federal appropriations to fully fund the legislation as well as help ensure successful implementation. The ability to work independently and skillfully network with top-level executives on the STAC Committee and advocate effectively with national and state leaders will be central to your success in this role.

You will also ensure the committee runs smoothly; provide timely briefing and follow-up for all meetings, making sure relevant information is shared;  work with STAC co-chairs and consultants to get buy-in and approvals; coordinate competing schedules; communicate differences in policy and points of view; and identify areas where the committee can harness and utilize capabilities to respond to political developments quickly.

With the U.S. engaged in fierce competition with China for world leadership in science, technology, and innovation, our leadership in the global economic arena can no longer be taken for granted. To address urgent national challenges, including public health and health care, environment and climate change, food and water security, and energy production, utilization and storage, STAC is driving an advocacy agenda to double federal investments in S&T research relative to U.S. GDP, elevate scientific leadership to the highest levels of the government, and increase coordination on S&T policy across federal agencies.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• You’ll bring the expertise to STAC that we have previously secured from an outside consultant. Your work will help shape the future of science and technology policy by working to secure federal funding and expand STAC’s base of support to make further progress amid potential political fluctuations, and build capacity with operational support for STAC and the entire Research!America team.
• You will work with communications and government relations consultants and the VP for Advocacy Programs to develop effective high-impact advocacy campaigns to execute STAC’s strategy, assessing the political landscape to identify challenges to get ahead of and opportunities we can run with.
• You will translate advocacy, legislative, and communications work into cohesive plans that combat counternarratives from opposing or skeptical groups, such as working with consultants to use our upcoming State of Science in America report to raise STAC’s profile, enhance our agenda, and demonstrate our impact.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits 

• You’ll enjoy a flexible hybrid schedule, with telework 2-3 days per week and opportunities to collaborate with our team in our office in the Washington, DC metro area.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $115,000 to $130,000, with an outstanding benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan (after one year of service); and parking or Metro benefits. The position has a one-year term with the potential for an extended term if funding is secured.
• You’ll join a warm, welcoming, and active team that functions much like an office on the Hill. We are passionate about making an impact on issues critical to the health of our nation and society. We value innovation, flexibility, and adaptability in working together and in our outward-facing roles.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the VP of Advocacy Programs and Initiatives, coordinate and drive the development and execution of STAC strategy working with STAC co-chairs and other committee members, consultants, and other staff.
• Manage the contracts of consultants engaged in providing communications and government relations support to best leverage their expertise and services.
• Review and provide input into consultant content (op-eds, press releases, LTEs, etc.) to ensure their output reflects the intention and opinion of STAC.
• Maintain regular contact with STAC members and endorsing organizations through written and verbal updates, action alerts, and other means.
• Assist with grants and reports to funders.
• Perform other responsibilities and duties as assigned in support of the organization’s goals and objectives.

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in science, public policy, government, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of seven years’ congressional, federal government, or other policy and advocacy experience, ideally on science and technology issues.
• An understanding of public and private science and technology organizations and entities.
• An ability to work successfully on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines and goals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Exceptional internal and external interpersonal skills.

About Us

Research!America is a nonprofit medical and health research advocacy alliance that advocates for science, discovery, and innovation to achieve better health for all. Together with our member organizations that represent a vast array of medical, health, and scientific fields, our goals are: (1) Achieve funding for medical and health research from the public and private sectors at a level warranted by scientific opportunity and supported by public opinion. (2) Better inform the public of the benefits of medical and health research and the institutions that perform research. (3) Motivate the public to actively support medical and health research and the complementary sciences that make advances possible. (4) Promote and empower a more active public and political life by individual members of the research community on behalf of medical and health research, public health, and science overall.

To Apply

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

Use the "Apply" button on this page or simply email your resume to Aileen Hedden at resumes@staffingadvisors.com with “Research!America – Policy and Advocacy Director, Science & Technology #2023-2767 ASAE” as the subject of the email.

Job responsibilities are similar to the following positions: Director of Government Affairs, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Director of Federal Advocacy, Senior Associate, Legislative Director.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Internally this position title is: Director of Science and Technology Initiatives