The posting
About Activate
Activate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Through partnerships with government, philanthropy, universities, and industry, Activate builds the cross-sector ecosystem that drives hard tech innovation—equipping scientists and engineers with world-class resources, training, and community to bring their work from discovery to deployment.
Since 2015, Activate's flagship fellowship has supported nearly 350 fellows across the United States, who have launched more than 275 companies and secured over $5.5 billion in follow-on funding. Now expanding beyond its flagship program, Activate is reaching scientists and engineers at more stages of their entrepreneurial journey across the world—multiplying the pathways from innovation to commercialization. Learn more at Activate.org.
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, building the relationships and partnerships that position Activate as a trusted resource on supporting entrepreneurial scientists and engineers who are commercializing science. The Senior Director leads Activate’s government awards team and reports to the Chief Development Officer (CDO).
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.
Competencies / Skills / Abilities
- 10+ years of experience in government or government relations, ideally including fundraising, policy advocacy, and grassroots or political campaigns.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Track record of winning 6-8 figure federal and/or state government awards, with preference for federal awards.
- Demonstrated experience building and managing high-performing teams.
- Experience managing government relations or lobbying firms, consultants, or other external partners to clear results.
- Experience building partnerships or coalitions across government, research institutions, industry, or nonprofits.
- Strong contacts across the federal government, with preference for DOE, DOW, NSF, DOC, and NASA, as well as state governments, particularly in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas.
- Ability to effectively interact with elected and career officials and drive influence.
- Familiarity with federal funding award (grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, etc.) legislation and regulations.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, and proven ability to work as part of cross-functional teams.
- Science and/or entrepreneurship experience, an advanced degree, relationships in the DC/DMV innovation ecosystem, or experience with international government funding or partnerships are a plus.
About the Role
This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, with a competitive salary of $175,000 and a generous benefits package that includes professional development, $2,000 in annual wellness funds, flexible paid time off, healthcare coverage for employees and dependents, with 90–100% of premiums covered, and the opportunity to join a retirement plan with a 3% match beginning after 3 months at Activate.
This role involves up to 15% travel, including to Activate’s state priorities, and frequent cross–time zone collaboration.
Encouraging Applications from All Backgrounds
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Activate Global, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
