Director Government and Community Relations

About the Role

As the Director of Government & Community Relations, you will develop and manage relationships with federal, state, and local officials to promote the mission and strategic objectives of The Jackson Laboratory (JAX). You will shape and monitor legislation, policies, and regulations affecting the Laboratory, and serve as liaison to civic organizations, chambers of commerce, trade groups, and community stakeholders.

In this role you will identify opportunities for collaboration and support organizational initiatives through targeted advocacy and community engagement, and serve as JAX's lead government affairs representative in New York.

What You'll Contribute

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with state, federal, and local officials under the direction of senior leadership.
• Shape legislative and policy agendas at the local, state, and national levels (consistent with nonprofit limitations), focusing on employee relations, nonprofit policy, regulatory affairs, and legislation related to research, biotechnology, and health care.
• Serve as the organization's liaison to civic organizations, chambers of commerce, trade groups, and community groups, representing JAX across the state.
• Identify opportunities for colleagues to advance programs and organizational objectives through community connections and collaborative strategies.
• Develop and communicate government affairs strategies with senior leadership, internal stakeholders, and aligned external organizations.
• Serve as JAX's lead government affairs representative in New York, developing and coordinating federal, state, and local strategies that advance organizational, scientific, policy, and funding priorities.
• Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and policy developments affecting biomedical research and nonprofit research institutions, and advise senior and executive leadership on emerging risks, opportunities, and organizational impact.
• Develop and execute advocacy, policy, and stakeholder engagement strategies, building strategic relationships with government officials, agencies, community leaders, and external partners.
• Identify and advance state, local, and federal funding opportunities, including appropriations, capital investments, economic development initiatives, grants, and other public-sector funding aligned with organizational priorities.
• Represent and strengthen JAX's presence within New York's life sciences, policy, business, philanthropic, and advocacy communities by developing strategic partnerships, facilitating executive engagement, and advancing initiatives that support research, workforce, and economic competitiveness.
• Support senior leadership on initiatives as needed and directed.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (a combination of education and experience may be considered). Master's degree is preferred
• 6+ years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy advocacy. 8+ years preferred
• 6+ years of supervisory experience. 8+ years preferred
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes relevant to biomedical research and nonprofit operations.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with government officials and community organizations.
• Ability to translate organizational priorities into effective advocacy strategies, and to navigate complex policy landscapes while anticipating political implications and advising leadership on emerging risks and opportunities.
• Polished strategic communication skills, delivering clear, compelling messages tailored to diverse audiences and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder and community engagement skills to build trust with community partners, government entities, and advocacy groups through transparent, proactive engagement.
• Strong relationship-building skills, using diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness to cultivate internal and external relationships.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills to integrate scientific, technical, and administrative teams in coordinated, evidence-based decision-making.
• Ability to identify emerging issues, lead crisis response, and protect organizational credibility through strategic foresight and communication.
• Deep knowledge of New York City and New York State legislative, regulatory, budgetary, appropriations, and economic development processes, with an understanding of federal government affairs.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and coordinate advocacy strategies across federal, state, and local jurisdictions, aligning policy, funding, and institutional priorities.
• Experience identifying and advancing public-sector funding opportunities, including appropriations, capital investments, economic development initiatives, grants, and competitive funding proposals.
• Strong ability to build trusted relationships, convene coalitions, and facilitate executive-level engagement across government, research, policy, business, philanthropic, advocacy, and community stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of policy and funding issues affecting biomedical research, stem cell science, novel therapeutics, scientific workforce development, and nonprofit research institutions.

$157,563 – $228,467, based on years of related experience and internal equity considerations

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California, New York, Florida), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.