Chief Government Affairs Officer

AAAS is one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific societies and a leading publisher of cutting-edge research through its Science family of journals. Its mission is to advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all. To fulfill this mission, AAAS has the following strategic goals:

• Advance scientific excellence and achievement. AAAS recognizes, inspires, and enables a robust research ecosystem that drives discovery and innovation and prepares future scientists and engineers.
• Foster inclusivity for scientific excellence. AAAS fosters the open and inclusive scientific enterprise that is essential for scientific excellence.
• Build trust among scientists and communities. AAAS builds trust among scientists and engineers and broader communities and is a valued source of accurate scientific information that is foundational to countering misinformation.
• Catalyze progress where science meets policy. AAAS provides actionable evidence for public policy that serves society and promotes policies that enable quality science.

The Chief Government Affairs Officer (CGAO) leads AAAS’ government affairs and advocacy strategies in support of the association’s mission and priorities and to strengthen its role as a trusted, nonpartisan voice for science, research, and evidence-based policymaking.  The CGAO is responsible for developing and executing an integrated government affairs strategy across Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, state and local governments, and other relevant policy stakeholders.  As a prominent ambassador for the organization and for the American scientific community, the CGAO will build and maintain relationships with policymakers and their staffs, academic organizations, industry partners, professional societies, and others to enhance the visibility and impact of AAAS’ policy and advocacy efforts. 

The CGAO leads a team of talented government affairs professionals and serves as the principal internal and external advisor on federal legislative and executive branch policy developments affecting science, research, innovation, scientific integrity, research funding, and the broader science and technology ecosystem, as well as science and technology funding and policy at the state and local levels.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as an important member of the AAAS Leadership Advisory Council and Public Affairs Leadership Team, the CGAO works in close coordination with units across the organization, including Communications; Science, Policy, and Society Programs; Membership; Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships; Publishing; and others.

The Chief Government Affairs Officer (CGAO) will provide strategic leadership and oversight of AAAS' government affairs, public policy, and advocacy initiatives, advancing the organization's mission to promote science, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the CGAO will lead and develop a team of government affairs professionals, strengthen relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders, and guide the organization's engagement at the federal, state, and local levels. Working collaboratively with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the CGAO will be responsible for the following key functions:

• Conceptualize, develop, and lead implementation of an integrated, organization-wide government affairs and advocacy strategy aligned with AAAS’ mission, goals, and initiatives.
• Report directly to the COO and partner closely with the COO and CEO in setting government affairs priorities and institutional positioning.
• Monitor science and technology legislation, policies, rules, and regulations, and identify emerging opportunities and threats affecting science, scientific institutions, research funding, and the broader science and technology ecosystem.

• Lead AAAS’ federal government affairs strategy and engagement with Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, and other relevant federal stakeholders.
• Develop strategies to advance AAAS priorities through legislation, appropriations, regulations, executive actions, and other federal policy mechanisms.
• Build relationships with relevant congressional and Administration officials and their staffs.
• Oversee AAAS’ engagement on issues affecting federal research and development, scientific institutions, the scientific workforce, and the research ecosystem.
• Coordinate federal advocacy with communications, R&D budget and policy, and external coalition efforts.
• Maintain collaboration with other segments of the STEM community, including professional societies, academic institutions, and industry groups. Serve on internal and external advisory committees and represent AAAS on S&T coalitions.
• Anticipate political and policy developments and advise the COO, CEO, and senior leadership on their implications for AAAS and the broader scientific community.

• Establish and lead AAAS’ strategy for engagement with state and local governments on science, research, innovation, education, and related public policy issues.
• Build relationships with governors’ offices, state legislators, mayors and local officials, state agencies, national state- and local-focused associations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to expand AAAS’ influence beyond Washington and strengthen the organization’s role as a national resource for science-informed policymaking.
• Coordinate state and local government affairs with federal policy and communications priorities.
• Develop partnerships and coalitions that amplify AAAS’ impact at the state and local levels.
• Coordinate with science-for-policy work at the state and local levels in other AAAS units (e.g., AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues).

• Provide strategic leadership for AAAS’ work on analyzing federal research and development budgets and related science and technology policy.
• Oversee analysis and advocacy related to federal R&D funding, agency budgets, appropriations, and broader research policy.
• Ensure AAAS’ R&D budget and policy work is translated effectively into advocacy and public communications.
• Partner with scientific societies, research institutions, universities, industry, philanthropy, and other stakeholders to advance effective federal investment in research and innovation.
• Ensure the COO, CEO, and senior leadership have clear, timely, and credible analysis of developments affecting the federal R&D enterprise.
• Position AAAS as a leading, trusted voice on the federal research and development landscape.
• Establish AAAS’ strategy for analyzing state, regional, local, and private research and development budgets and related science and technology policy.

• Serve as a leading resource on S&T policy, legislation, and R&D funding for internal (AAAS staff and members) and external (government, peer organizations) audiences.
• Direct advocacy programs within the Office of Government Affairs, including weekly Policy Alert, congressional briefings, policy briefs, and S&T policy workshops and trainings.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Office of Communications to develop and execute a public affairs strategy that advances institutional policy and advocacy priorities.
• Actively and constructively contribute to AAAS-wide planning and strategy discussions.
• Supervise Government Affairs staff, projects, and events; plan and oversee staff professional development, vendor management, performance management, and budgeting.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Manages 2 direct reports (total staff of 5):
• Director, Federal Affairs

• Deputy Director, Federal Affairs
• Senior Government Affairs Officer
• Director, R&D Budget and Policy
• Senior Analyst, State R&D

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of senior-level government affairs leadership; political, policy, and advocacy expertise; and exceptional communications judgment.

• Significant experience (at least 15 years) in government affairs, advocacy, strategic communications, public policy, or a closely related field. At least 5 years of relevant senior leadership experience.
• Deep understanding of the federal policymaking process and the political environment in Washington, DC.
• Strong understanding of science, technology, research, higher education, or related policy environments.

• Demonstrated ability to explain complex policy or technical issues clearly and persuasively to non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated success building relationships with senior policymakers, government officials, media, and other influential stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and in building, coaching, and mentoring a team of government affairs professionals at various career stages.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent political judgment and the ability to operate effectively in highly sensitive and rapidly changing environments.
• Experience advising senior executives on high-stakes public affairs matters.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute organization-wide strategies rather than managing individual functions in isolation.
• Advanced university-level training leading to a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; master’s degree preferred

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Highly collaborative, unifying leadership and work style, including experience leading and working as part of diverse, cross-organizational teams with colleagues at all levels.
• Strong record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• Ability to position government relations and advocacy discussions at both the strategic and tactical level.
• Self-starter that can work independently and entrepreneurially. 

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