The Opportunity  

FAS seeks a dynamic leader to build and oversee a new portfolio focused on expanding the federal government’s capacity to deliver. FAS’ government capacity portfolio spans the key elements that underpin government effectiveness: talent, spending, modernization and oversight.

The Director will build and lead a team that works across these domains 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 and Congress. As a new cross-cutting initiative, the government capacity team will also work with other issue portfolios across FAS to help them deploy government capacity expertise, reform proposals, and practice changes at federal  agencies across core domains, from clean energy to national security. 

The ideal candidate will be action-oriented with the demonstrated ability to articulate strategy, execute, adapt, learn and improve upon existing work.  Experience with and understanding of how government agencies work, and how to deploy levers of change to improve how government functions will be essential to the success of this new body of work.  

About FAS

At the Federation of American Scientists, we believe in embracing a growth oriented and entrepreneurial mindset to drive impact for our colleagues, our customers and the world.  We envision a world where cutting-edge science, technology, ideas and talent are deployed to solve the biggest challenges of our time. We embed science, technology, innovation, and experience into government and public discourse in order to build a healthy, safe, prosperous and equitable society.

What You’ll Do

• Refine a government capacity strategy for FAS, focusing on federal government hiring, spending and policy implementation initiatives.

• Develop relationships and partner with key stakeholders across key federal agencies to improve federal implementation.

• Lead and grow a team of staff and work closely with FAS’ team of expert senior government capacity fellows including Cristin Dorgelo and Jen Pahlka, author of Recoding America, who are helping to guide the development of this initiative.

• Spearhead business development with both philanthropy and government to support this agenda raising at least $1-2M annually.

• Work across the organization to deploy key government capacity strategies within existing portfolios and initiatives.

• Serve as a member of the FAS leadership team.

• Engage as a thought leader in the emerging government capacity movement and help build the coalition of individuals and organizations working to advance common goals.

Skills and Experience 

• Proven ability to be a champion for change within the federal government.

• Experience in building and leading a team.

• Capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders and invest in building an ecosystem of government capacity change agents.

• Demonstrated ability to build and scale a successful multi-million dollar initiative.

• Subject matter expertise in federal hiring and talent is preferred, and expertise acquisition/procurement, modernization, or evidence-based policy-making a plus.

• Ability to be persistent and tenacious in driving change inside government.

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.

Salary Range

• $150,000 - $200,000

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.