Senior Director, Government Relations

Position Summary

The Senior Director leads Activate's government relations strategy across the federal government and state governments, particularly California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. This role sets the direction for Activate's government fundraising, policy advocacy, partnerships, and positioning, and leads the internal team and external firms who carry that strategy out. Based in Washington, DC, the Senior Director is Activate's senior representative to federal agencies, Congress, and the region's innovation and policy community.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and lead Activate's long-term government relations strategy at the federal, state, and local levels, in coordination with the CDO and teams across the organization.
• Set government funding and policy priorities that diversify Activate's government portfolio across federal agencies, states, and international government partners.
• Lead the government awards team, directly managing the Government Award Manager who oversees the government funding pipeline and stewardship; set priorities, provide regular feedback, conduct performance reviews, and support professional development.
• Advise organization leadership and the Activate community on policy developments, funding trends, and agency priorities relevant to Activate.

Partnerships

• Build and manage strategic partnerships that expand Activate's reach in government, turning strategies developed with external advisors into active relationships, including teaming and sub-award partnerships with universities, national labs, and other organizations pursuing larger federal opportunities.
• Maintain Activate's day-to-day presence in DC and the broader DMV innovation ecosystem, building on relationships introduced through external advisors and deepening ties with local government, economic development organizations, and research institutions.
• Cultivate relationships with policy organizations, coalitions, and peer organizations to advance shared policy priorities.
• Support relationships with international government partners in coordination with Development colleagues and external advisors.

Oversight of External Firms

• Select and oversee Activate's federal and state government relations and lobbying firms, including setting scopes of work, priorities, and budgets, and holding firms accountable for results.
• Translate firm intelligence and activity into funding, partnership, and policy opportunities, and ensure firm work aligns with Activate's overall strategy.
• Oversee monitoring and analysis of key legislation and funding opportunities at the federal and state levels, drawing on external firms and the government awards team.
• Ensure Activate meets federal and state lobbying registration and reporting requirements.
• Manage relationships with external consultants, sharing on-the-ground insight that informs and expands their strategies.

Representation and Policy

• Serve as Activate's primary representative and liaison to elected officials and their staff, government agencies, and policy organizations at the federal and state levels.
• Seek opportunities for Activate to serve as a resource to federal and state government, including submitting Requests for Information (RFIs), serving on government commissions, working groups, and advisory committees, participating in government events and meetings, and testifying before legislative committees.
• Grow Activate's network of federal and state government relationships and identify ways to engage government personnel in the Activate community.
• Lead Activate's thought leadership on science commercialization policy, including convenings, publications, and speaking opportunities, in coordination with external advisors.

The Ideal Candidate

• Is passionate about Activate's mission and motivated by the opportunity to shape public policy and government partnerships that drive hard tech innovation.
• Is a strategic thinker who navigates complex federal and state funding and policy landscapes with ease.
• Builds trust with elected officials, agency leaders, and partners across the political spectrum.
• Is entrepreneurial, collaborative, and skilled at getting the most out of external firms and advisors.
• Demonstrates impeccable judgment, discretion, and integrity.
• Is a skilled team leader who creates a culture of accountability, trust, and continuous improvement.
• Has strong project management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities.
• Is comfortable working in a dynamic, remote-friendly organization while serving as Activate's in-person presence in Washington, DC.
• Understands the value of high-quality data and is committed to maintaining accurate, timely CRM information.