Government Affairs Senior Manager

About the Opportunity:

Reporting to the Director of Government Affairs, the Senior Manager, Government Affairs will develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders in the City & County of San Francisco (CCSF), the State of California, as well as external community and civic partners. As a respected scientific institution and a beloved cultural attraction in the heart of San Francisco, the Academy is committed to deepening its engagement with the City and contributing to its vibrant community. The Government Affairs Senior Manager leads the Academy's CCSF strategy, plays a major role in developing and executing the Academy's public policy, advocacy, and external engagement strategy, and managing the work of the Government Affairs Coordinator. The Senior Manager may also work with the Director on matters related to the State of California.

The Senior Manager collaborates with colleagues across the Academy on key institutional objectives, including public support and funding for scientific research, educational programming, exhibitions, and operations. They will also develop and leverage internal and external partnerships and communication networks to enhance the Academy’s presence in the City and State.

Organizational Culture:
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy's strategic plan includes three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

Key Responsibilities:
Local Government & Community Relations:

• Lead the Academy’s engagement with City & County of San Francisco (CCSF) elected officials, department leadership, and staff. 
• Proactively seek opportunities to align the Academy's expertise and resources with San Francisco's goals in areas such as climate action, environmental justice, science education, and public engagement.
• Build collaborative partnerships with San Francisco-based organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to address shared priorities, strengthen community engagement, and collectively advance biodiversity in the city.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Mayor’s Budget Office, partnering with the Academy Finance team and Building Operations Team to ensure requirements are met for the annual CCSF budget process.

Funding and Partnerships:

• Partner with the Government Grants team to identify funding opportunities aligned with the Academy's strategy and mission.
• Coordinate cross-functional processes to prioritize and develop support for major Academy capital and programmatic initiatives
• Build collaborative relationships with elected officials and staff at the local and state levels to advance the Academy's mission and goals.

Outreach and Engagement:

• Develop and execute government affairs events that strengthen relationships and highlight the Academy’s work and impact.
• Attend and represent the Academy at external events, conferences, and high-level meetings to promote our mission,