Senior Manager, Government Capacity

Full-time FAS staff

Washington, DC

Why FAS?  

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future where science, technology, ideas, and talent are deployed to solve the biggest challenges of our time—and we see government as the strongest enabler in that vision. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency.  As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise: Must Haves

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

FAS is seeking an entrepreneurial, ambitious, and resourceful individual to join the new Government Capacity team. The team is a growing cohort dedicated to dramatically increasing government’s ability to deliver for the American people, to create and deploy innovative science and technology solutions, and to act with agility and responsiveness to both crises and opportunities. 

• Relevant experience across think tanks, government, philanthropy, academia, or industry.
• Passion for driving reform in government (at the federal, state, or local level), with specific expertise or experience in one or more areas related to building government capacity  or curating public dialogue on reform of democratic institutions (might include but not be limited to civic tech or civic design; government performance and innovation; public sector talent; building connectivity between the legislative and executive branches; improving government implementation or service delivery; rethinking models of governance; design of public institutions). 
• Aptitude for policy entrepreneurship, including an ability to identify opportunity windows and match interventions (briefings, convenings, public comments, etc.) to moments of maximal impact.
• Proven ability to craft precise and persuasive writing and communicate complex ideas clearly to technical and non-technical audiences alike.
• Strong demonstrated project management skills, including:
  • Ability to break large and complex projects into manageable components and timelines, and to flexibly adjust project plans to changing circumstances.
  • Ability to coordinate work energetically, enthusiastically, and successfully across diverse teams.
  • Ability to provide clear direction to project contributors at very different levels of seniority, including peers and managing up/across FAS.

Skills and Experience: Preferred:

• Experience designing and managing events and convenings to build ideas, consensus, and opportunities, particularly around challenging topics.
• Experience, expertise, or interest related to the role of government in climate domains (e.g.,  clean energy, transportation, or housing.)
• Supervising, coaching and developing staff, with evidence to support success
• Research or publication record. 
• Budget and/or grant management experience.

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The Federation of American Scientists is seeking a full-time Senior Manager for Government Capacity.   

The Senior Manager will work with the Director for Government Capacity and a team including FAS staff, expert senior advisors, and technical consultants in civic design. The team collaborates to understand the root causes of barriers and bottlenecks to more effective governing, rapidly develop and evaluate new policy and practice changes, and then support their implementation by working closely with agency leaders and policymakers in the executive branch, Congress, and state and local government. Initial projects may include project managing a series of retrospective sprints on digital services capacity in at the federal, state, and international level; working with the Director to stand up a “Red Tape Lab” for streamlining cumbersome government functions in FAS mission areas; or coordinating rapid-response policy and coalition support for emerging government capacity reform moments.

As a new cross-cutting initiative, the government capacity team will also work with other issue portfolios across FAS to enable them to deploy government capacity expertise, reform proposals, institutional design, and practices changes at government agencies.  With the Director,  Senior Manager will dedicate part of their time to the government capacity pillar of the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity,  a new initiative to generate solutions that will sustain climate progress while rebuilding trust in government.  The Senior Manager will play a critical role in coordinating and contributing to a new body of work exploring how to build a better climate and environmental regulatory state in the United States, including by engaging with diverse stakeholders, partners, and teams; planning convenings designed to meaningfully advance policy dialogues; and contributing original research and writing. 

Externally, the senior manager will (with support from the director and senior advisors, and with increasing independence) engage as a thought leader in the emerging government capacity movement, building and strengthening coalitions of individuals and organizations working to advance common goals in this field. This is a role for a policy entrepreneur: someone who sees opportunities for change and moves to realize them.

Key Responsibilities:

The following is an overview of the main responsibilities of the successful candidate. Please note that other tasks may be required, and responsibilities will vary over time.

Policy Analysis and Development

• Collaborate with with Director, FAS staff and senior advisors to plan and implement relevant government capacity policy work, taking increasing leadership and responsibility  where appropriate (e.g., the future of digital services; civil service reform; outcomes-based procurement; deproceduralizing government functions).
• Identify policy windows (with guidance from the Director and senior advisors, and with increasing independence), including areas where proactive, targeted interventions (e.g., public comments, convenings, briefings) can support tangible change. 
• Write and publish rigorous, timely analysis (in collaboration and independently) that anticipates government capacity challenges and opportunities and is useful to policymakers.
• Shape and respond to requests for technical assistance from policymakers, including through briefings and responses to requests for information.  

Project and Program Management 

• Collaborate with FAS staff and senior advisors to plan and implement government capacity projects, taking increasing leadership and responsibility  where appropriate (e.g., What’s Next for Digital Services retrospective sprints; Digital Capacity Accelerator; the Red Tape Lab; the future of the regulatory state).
• Manage, coordinate, and mentor staff and interns with regular, timely, and constructive feedback. Contribute to personnel development and foster a curious, inclusive, and ambitious team culture.
• Manage project deadlines and deliverables, ensuring timeliness and high quality. Collaborate across other internal teams to ensure alignment and execution on relevant government capacity projects. 
• Assist with the preparation and management of budgets in collaboration with other FAS staff.
• Participate in fundraising efforts as appropriate and draft reports for relevant funders.

Policy Engagement & Convening

• As part of the government capacity team, regularly engage with policymakers, civil society, technical experts, and a range of government capacity communities to share and refine ideas. 
• Represent FAS at relevant external events, including travel as needed.
• Serve as an expert commentator (in collaboration with the government capacity team and with increasing independence) for journalists, via social media, and through publications in the popular press.  
• Design and manage relevant events (workshops, briefings, convenings, etc.), supported by other FAS staff, including formulating event agendas, themes, and speakers, and bringing a diverse range of ideas into dialogue.

Work Environment 

This position will be a hybrid role. Meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated, generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote depending on the needs of the organization.

Salary Range

• $90-$120K

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.