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Government Affairs Senior Manager

California Academy of Sciencse

About the Opportunity:

Reporting to the Director of Government Affairs, the Senior Manager, Government Affairs will develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders in the City & County of San Francisco (CCSF), the State of California, as well as external community and civic partners. As a respected scientific institution and a beloved cultural attraction in the heart of San Francisco, the Academy is committed to deepening its engagement with the City and contributing to its vibrant community. The Government Affairs Senior Manager leads the Academy's CCSF strategy, plays a major role in developing and executing the Academy's public policy, advocacy, and external engagement strategy, and managing the work of the Government Affairs Coordinator. The Senior Manager may also work with the Director on matters related to the State of California.

The Senior Manager collaborates with colleagues across the Academy on key institutional objectives, including public support and funding for scientific research, educational programming, exhibitions, and operations. They will also develop and leverage internal and external partnerships and communication networks to enhance the Academy’s presence in the City and State.

Organizational Culture:
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy's strategic plan includes three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

Key Responsibilities:
Local Government & Community Relations:

  • Lead the Academy’s engagement with City & County of San Francisco (CCSF) elected officials, department leadership, and staff. 
  • Proactively seek opportunities to align the Academy's expertise and resources with San Francisco's goals in areas such as climate action, environmental justice, science education, and public engagement.
  • Build collaborative partnerships with San Francisco-based organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to address shared priorities, strengthen community engagement, and collectively advance biodiversity in the city.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with the Mayor’s Budget Office, partnering with the Academy Finance team and Building Operations Team to ensure requirements are met for the annual CCSF budget process.

Funding and Partnerships:

  • Partner with the Government Grants team to identify funding opportunities aligned with the Academy's strategy and mission.
  • Coordinate cross-functional processes to prioritize and develop support for major Academy capital and programmatic initiatives
  • Build collaborative relationships with elected officials and staff at the local and state levels to advance the Academy's mission and goals.

Outreach and Engagement:

  • Develop and execute government affairs events that strengthen relationships and highlight the Academy’s work and impact.
  • Attend and represent the Academy at external events, conferences, and high-level meetings to promote our mission, build partnerships, and stay informed on relevant issues.
  • Serve as liaison to community organizations.
  • Produce communications such as factsheets, briefings, formal letters, and presentations for internal and external audiences.

Management & Operations

  • Partner with the Director to shape the Academy's public policy and advocacy strategy across all levels of government.
  • Supervise, mentor, and assign work to Government Affairs Coordinator.
  • Prepare briefing materials and advise senior leadership at external meetings in areas of responsibility.
  • Manage internal processes for reviewing relevant legislation and assessing potential impacts.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

    • Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, environmental science, communications, or a related field.
    • Minimum of 8 years of experience in local government, government affairs, public policy, or community relations

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

    • Deep knowledge of San Francisco's political landscape and community dynamics.
    • Experience working on policy issues related to the natural world, such as biodiversity, environmental protection, or climate change.
    • Exceptional collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a track record of partnering with diverse stakeholders and handling complex interactions with discretion and sensitivity.
    • Strong understanding of the legislative process and policy landscape.
    • Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize and communicate information effectively to diverse audiences.
    • Proven leadership and mentoring abilities, including previous supervisory experience.
    • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple short- and long-term projects simultaneously.
    • Demonstrated commitment to the Academy's mission, vision, and values.

Physical Environment:
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to meet the job’s essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, use a computer, and communicate on the phone, in person, and online meetings/calls. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 75% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $120,000. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Please scroll down to "Other details" for this position's hiring range.

Schedule: Full Time, 40 hours per week

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin on November 8, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please upload your resume, cover letter, and complete the brief online application 

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance(SF Police Code, Article 49).

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.

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