Director of Government Affairs

Role Overview

Blueprint Biosecurity is seeking a Government Affairs Director to build out and lead our government affairs function. After beginning with work to advance our PPE policy goals, which primarily aim to ensure that sufficient quantities of protective PPE are available in a future crisis, this role will expand our government affairs and policy strategy to support all of our focus areas. You will report to the Executive Director and work collaboratively with other teams within and external to Blueprint Biosecurity.

We are seeking a proactive leader who thrives in a dynamic and evolving environment. You will have a high degree of autonomy to design and steer our government affairs work and build a team that is at the leading edge of biosecurity policy. A successful candidate will be excited about building an effort from the ground up and willing to pivot and iterate to find ways to succeed in a rapidly changing environment.

In this role, you will be working collaboratively across all of Blueprint Biosecurity’s teams, helping drive policy strategy across organizational priorities. You will serve as our face and voice in Washington, DC, building relationships with key federal and state legislators and executive branch policymakers, as well as with contractors, consultants, collaborators, and other partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Assemble and lead a high-performing team of internal and external government affairs professionals that can work across multiple ideologies and multiple branches of government to achieve ambitious policy goals
• Work collaboratively to develop Blueprint Biosecurity’s multi-year US government affairs strategy and policy priorities
• Create the plans, roadmaps, and tactics to achieve policy priorities and broader goals in Washington, DC
• Lead outreach and engagement with members of Congress, administration officials, agency staff, and other leaders across politics, policy, NGOs, and industry who intersect with Blueprint Biosecurity’s priorities
• Build and maintain partnerships and relationships across the biosecurity policy community, helping support the health and efficacy of the broader field
• Collaborate with Blueprint Biosecurity’s teams on policymaker-focused communications, including but not limited to published content, testimony, talking points, and briefing materials
• Speak with experts inside and outside of Blueprint Biosecurity to become a biosecurity policy expert, and incorporate and translate this expertise across strategies and materials
• Support Blueprint Biosecurity’s technical teams and executive team by providing expertise on political, policy, and regulatory considerations to improve our strategy and advance our mission
• Other duties as required

Our Ideal Candidate

• Wants to build solutions to prevent pandemics
• Possesses a deep passion for research and collaboration
• Is a fast learner and gets up to speed in new fields quickly
• Has a proven track record of initiating, navigating, and taking diverse projects to completion
• Is excited about building relationships with domain experts, nonprofits, industry leaders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders
• Is humble and ambitious, curious and analytical
• Thrives in ambiguity
• Is prepared to ask clarifying questions to acquire the information they need
• Appreciates the value of teamwork and regularly includes others in planning, decision-making, and execution
• Delivers results in high-energy settings without compromising on quality
• Demonstrates resilience in overcoming challenges
• Seeks out fresh opportunities and perspectives

Education and Experience

• Proven ability in leading and managing the policy process effectively, coupled with the skill to achieve outcomes by leveraging the capabilities of others
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in federal policymaking and/or the biosecurity space, including at least 3 years of direct federal legislative experience with policymakers (federal elected office, professional committee staff, leadership staff, or leadership staff in personal offices), with preference for 7+ years of experience
• Expertise and understanding of the annual appropriations process
• The ability to be proactive and assertive while successfully collaborating with politically diverse individuals externally and internally
• Expertise in government affairs with a clear record of policy accomplishment; must be able to articulate and give concrete examples of your distinctive role in driving major legislative action or administrative policymaking
• Ability to drive policy off the Hill, working with industry, NGOs, coalitions, and other key stakeholders as necessary to build support for policy priorities
• An openness to creative approaches in solving strategic problems
• Proven record of recruiting and managing high performing teams
• Executive-level written and verbal communication, including strong listening skills
• An understanding of health and biosecurity policymaking trends is preferred

If you are on the fence about applying because you are unsure whether you are qualified, we would strongly encourage you to apply.

What We Offer

Compensation: The base salary for this position ranges from $155,000–$196,000 USD. We consider a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the role and responsibilities, work experience, education/training, skills, expertise, and internal equity.

Benefits: Our benefits package for full-time employees includes:

• Unlimited PTO + paid holidays
• Generous health and wellness benefits through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) for you and your family
• Fully paid family leave
• Annual 401(k) contributions equal to 10% of your base salary
• Support for productive remote work

Equitable adjustments will be made for staff members outside of the United States hired through Employers of Record. Adjustments will be made in accordance with local laws and employment regulations in the primary location where the work is performed.

How to Apply

Submit your application here.

Here’s a summary of the application process for a successful candidate. We might make adjustments.

• Complete this application form by April 6, 2025 11:59 PM EDT; applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early
• Attend an initial screening call
• Attend remote/local interviews
• Complete 1–2 work test(s) designed to simulate the work you would do if hired and evaluate key skills important for success in the role; by default, compensation is offered for all work tests.
• Attend final remote/local interviews
• Submit references
• Receive an employment offer!

Application Details

Applications Due: April 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Location: We are a remote team headquartered in Washington, DC. This role is based in the Washington, DC area. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. Due to the nature of this role, competitive candidates will have the ability and willingness to work non-traditional hours and travel up to 25% of the time.

Start date: We’d like a candidate to start as soon as possible after receiving an offer, though there is some flexibility.

Workplace Inclusion and Accessibility: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Please let us know what accommodations you might need when applying or if asked to be interviewed by emailing us at recruiting@blueprintbiosecurity.org.