Senior Manager, Government Capacity

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.

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

• 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.

• Experience designing and managing events andings 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.

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 of FAS staff, expert senior advisors, and technical consultants in civic design 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 at the federal, state, and international level; building a “Red Tape Lab” for streamlining cumbersome government functions in FAS mission…