Director of Government Relations

Overview

 

 

Position Summary:

 

Nusano is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Government Relations, based in the Washington, DC area, to lead our advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels. 

This is a foundational leadership role as this individual will be instrumental in building the internal government relations function, including developing foundational strategies and processes, and continuing to build relationships that support long-term business success. The Director of Government Relations will be at the frontline, fostering relationships and driving Nusano’s agenda forward.

 

Areas of Focus for this Role:

• Navigating the federal appropriations process (particularly with DoD and DoE).
• Building public-private partnerships, especially those with national security relevance.
• Pursuing innovation-focused funding (e.g., ARPA-H).
• Enabling DoD/VA procurement pathways.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do:

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Policy Advocacy & Government Engagement:

• Develop and implement strategies to build relationships with Congressional offices, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on legislative and regulatory developments impacting Nusano’s interests.
• Advocate for Nusano’s priorities through direct engagement, including meetings, written correspondence, and participation in hearings or public forums.
• Coordinate and lead tours, site visits, and events with elected officials and key stakeholders to showcase Nusano’s capabilities and contributions.
• Serve as a liaison between Nusano and trade associations, industry groups, and think tanks to advance key policy initiatives.

 Stakeholder Engagement & Communications:

• Cultivate relationships with government officials, policymakers, and regulatory agencies to ensure Nusano’s voice is represented in key policy discussions.
• Distribute Nusano’s thought leadership content, including videos, articles, and podcasts, to targeted government stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of advocacy materials such as briefing documents, policy memos, position statements, and presentations.
• Provide guidance and support to internal teams regarding government affairs, policy trends, risks and opportunities, and regulatory matters.

 Monitoring & Reporting:

• Track and assess proposed and existing government policies, regulations, and legislation at the federal and state levels, providing regular updates and strategic recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to influence policy development and collaborate with internal teams to align government relations efforts with business objectives.

 Event Coordination & Representation:

• Represent Nusano at industry events, public hearings, conferences, and meetings with government stakeholders.
• Organize and coordinate policy briefings, advocacy events, and stakeholder meetings that align with Nusano’s government relations goals.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
• 5-8+ years of progressively increasing experience in government relations, public affairs, or advocacy, preferably within healthcare, biotech, or a highly regulated industry; specific experience with the federal appropriations process and relevant committee relationships.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, early-stage, and sometimes changing priorities/ environments.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrated ability to both identify and create opportunities that will advance the company’s mission
• Strong understanding of federal and state legislative processes and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures.
• Ability to analyze complex policy issues and communicate their impact to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including experience drafting advocacy materials and policy briefings.
• Strong public speaking skills and executive presence, with the ability to confidently represent the company in high-stakes settings including legislative hearings, industry events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Excellent storytelling ability—skilled at crafting and delivering compelling narratives that convey complex technical topics in accessible, mission-driven language.