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. Bar Harbor: The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries. Ellsworth: The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine’s fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants. Farmington: JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine’s research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the-art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports. Sacramento: The JAX® Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation’s Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums. Outdoor activities are plentiful: Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year. Augusta: JAX’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.

Director Government and Community Relations.

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