Director, Fellowships and Products

Director, Fellowships and Products

Full-time Federation of American Scientists staff

Washington, DC 

Why FAS?  

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency. As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise: Must Haves

What leadership skills do you need to possess to be a strong candidate?

Strategic Leadership

• Provide vision and strategic direction for our signature initiatives that seek to power a policy entrepreneurship revolution - our policy entrepreneurship programming and talent fellowships platform, ensuring alignment with FAS's overall mission and organizational priorities
• Develop and execute multi-year strategies to expand the reach, impact, and sustainability of both initiatives through the creation of replicable, scalable products
• Serve as a senior member of the FAS leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and decision-making
• Represent FAS in external forums, conferences, and meetings with senior government officials, foundation leaders, and other key stakeholders

Fundraising & Partnerships

• Work closely with the FAS development team to secure funding from foundations, government grants, and individual donors
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with universities, nonprofits, research institutions, professional societies, and industry
• Develop collaborative relationships with aligned organizations in the science policy ecosystem, identifying opportunities for joint initiatives, co-funding, and shared resources

Products Leadership

• Build and oversee deployment of the scalable infrastructure for programming, training, community-building and processes for converting promising ideas into policy action. 
• Work across FAS domains in partnership with FAS subject matter experts, fellows, contractors and expert reviewers and contributors.
• Translate proven FAS models into a movement at scale that activates new communities, secures new partnerships, and builds a deeper ethos of policy entrepreneurship in S&T policymaking, while scaling a sustainable operating model.
• Ensure Day One Project deliverables are timely, high-quality, and strategically positioned for maximum impact.
• Coordinate dissemination strategies to place recommendations before policymakers, the scientific community, and the public.
• Pursue opportunities to integrate our policy entrepreneurship engine with our talent and fellowships platform to drive greater impact.

Fellowships Leadership

• Oversee and expand the FAS Talent Hub's work to put policy entrepreneurship into practice, by connecting technical experts with high-impact government positions across federal and state governments, and ensure their success, as well as connecting experts at all levels with roles in civil society.
• Develop recruitment strategies to build a robust pipeline of science and technology talent interested in public service and civil society and inculcate them in the policy entrepreneurship ethos.
• Cultivate relationships with new partners at state and federal agencies and congressional committees seeking technical expertise, and help them curate high-impact opportunities for fellows to drive impact.
• Track and evaluate the impact of talent placements on government capacity and policy outcomes.
• Pursue opportunities to integrate more deeply our Talent Hub’s work with FAS’ engine for policy entrepreneurship to drive greater impact.

Team Management & Operations

• Hire, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of program managers and policy analysts
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures for both programs
• Oversee program budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation and financial sustainability
• Implement systems and processes to enable scalable growth while maintaining program quality
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values innovation and excellence

What proficiency (or higher) do you need to demonstrate in order to be a strong candidate?

• 10+ years of professional experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing teams and complex programs.
• Proven success in fundraising and donor relations.
• Experience launching or scaling innovative programs across sectors. 
• Demonstrated experience in science and technology policy, with knowledge of how technical expertise informs government decision-making.
• Proven track record of program development and management, including setting strategy, building teams, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Strong network within government, policy, and scientific communities, with the ability to open doors and build influential relationships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for policy audiences.
• Strategic thinking combined with operational excellence, balancing big-picture vision with attention to detail.
• Experience managing budgets and financial resources for programs or organizations.
• Commitment to FAS's nonpartisan mission and ability to work effectively across political administrations.

To Sum It Up…

The elevator pitch.

FAS seeks an exceptional Director to lead two flagship initiatives: the Day One Project and the FAS Talent Hub. This role represents a unique opportunity for a policy entrepreneur to build and scale a new integrated platform for our policy entrepreneurship and talent initiatives to deliver policy impact at scale.

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial leader who knows policy entrepreneurship, can build excellent, sustainable programs that scale, establish influential partnerships, and manage complex stakeholder relationships across government, academia, and the private sector. You will have proven experience in the following areas: 

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to see possibilities, set ambitious goals, and inspire others toward a shared mission
• Relationship Building: Natural connector who builds trust and maintains diverse networks across sectors with an ability to fundraise and drive vision broadly 
• Political Savvy: Understanding of government dynamics, processes, and how to navigate complex political environments
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Comfortable with ambiguity, willing to take calculated risks, and focused on results
• Collaborative Approach: Seeks input, builds consensus, and empowers team members
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and emerging opportunities
• Integrity: Demonstrates ethical leadership and maintains nonpartisan credibility

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

$160,000-$190,000

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.