About Activate Global
Activate empowers scientists and engineers to reinvent our world by bringing their research to market. We partner with leading funders and research institutions to offer the Activate Fellowship, providing the funding, community, mentorship, network, and time that scientists need to become entrepreneurs.
The results are game changing: Activate Fellows have launched 197 new companies since 2015. These companies have raised $4B in follow-on funding, created more than 2,800 U.S.-based jobs, and defined several new market categories. Activate supports fellows in Berkeley, CA; Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; and across the U.S. through Activate Anywhere.
Position Summary
The Government Relations Associate will support Activate's efforts in developing and implementing fundraising, policy advocacy, and positioning strategies with federal and state governments. This role involves assisting in various projects aimed at influencing key stakeholders to support Activate’s government fundraising, partnership, and policy objectives. This role reports to the Government Relations Director and works in close partnership with the Government Awards Manager and Chief Development Officer. Candidates based in Washington, DC or Boston, MA are strongly preferred.
Primary Responsibilities
- Support the identification of federal and state funding opportunities and collaborate with Activate’s development team to prepare and submit proposals and/or reports.
- Assist in managing Activate’s CRM, other related databases, and notes related to government contacts and funding opportunities.
- Support on government relations-related events, such as tracking attendees, managing logistics, etc.
- Assist in managing Activate’s relationship with government relations firms, tracking meetings and managing notes, etc.
- Research opportunities for Activate to serve as a resource to government, including participation in government commissions, working groups, advisory committees, events, and meetings.
- Support on connecting Activate Fellows and alumni with congressional and agency staff.
- Assist in monitoring, researching, analyzing, and tracking key legislation and executive orders that align with Activate’s priority areas at the federal level.
- Other duties and special projects as assigned.
The Ideal Candidate
- Has 2–4 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, policy, or a related field.
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, communications, or a related field.
- Has a strong interest in public affairs and government relations.
- Has excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Is able to research information and prepare collateral and other correspondence.
- Is experienced with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel.
- Has the ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
- Has experience with Hubspot, Asana, and Airtable (a plus).
About the Role
This is a full-time position with a competitive salary of $75,000 and a generous benefits package that includes professional development, $2,000 in annual wellness funds, flexible paid time off, healthcare coverage for employees and dependents, with 90–100% of premiums covered, and the opportunity to join a retirement plan with a 3% match beginning after 3 months at Activate.
This position is available to candidates at any of the following locations: Washington, DC; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; or Berkeley, CA. Candidates based in Washington, DC or Boston, MA are strongly preferred. Occasional travel will be required. Additionally, occasional in-person participation is required for monthly programming (depending on location) and as needed for special team events.
Encouraging Applications from All Backgrounds
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Activate Global, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Top Skills
What We Do
We empower scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market.
Founded in 2015, Activate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that empowers scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market to address climate change and other global challenges.
Activate works between government and the private sector, transforming scientists into high-impact entrepreneurs through a fellowship that guides them along every step of the journey. The Activate Fellowship provides two years of funding and connects fellows with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. The fellowship does not take equity in fellows' startups.
Activate's entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, a division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and founding Activate partner. Today, Activate supports 20-30 new Activate Fellows each year in with plans to expand to 100 new fellows, across the United States, each year.
For more information, go to Activate.org.
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