Director, Partnerships and Government Affairs

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Inc; Olivette (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Inc. seeks a Director of Partnerships and Government Affairs to lead government engagement at local, regional, and national levels and align it with the center’s mission and strategic plan.

Responsibilities include tracking funding opportunities, coordinating with finance and research offices, and representing the center in coalitions and external forums while ensuring compliance with lobbying and nonprofit requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, business or related field.
• Typically requires 4+ years of progressively responsible external affairs/government relations experience.
• Experience engaging with government officials and senior external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Center’s relationships with local, state, and federal officials and agencies.
• Monitor policy developments and translate them into actionable intelligence for leadership.
• Coordinate responses to inquiries, site visits, and collaboration opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with lobbying, disclosure, and nonprofit requirements.

Skills

Public policy engagement

Strategic leadership

Written and verbal communication

Relationship management with officials

Discretion and credibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy or related field

Job description

Description: Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Partnerships and Government Affairs leads the Danforth Center’s engagement with government at the local, regional, and national levels and ensures that engagement is strategic, coordinated, and aligned with the Center’s mission, values, and strategic plan. Because the Center’s science is largely grant funded, this role focuses on how public policy, appropriations, and agency priorities shape the Center’s funding environment, and on positioning the Center to anticipate change, compete effectively, and leverage public-sector partnerships.The Director also serves as a core member of the Office of the President. Working in partnership with the Executive Assistant, the Director helps the President focus time on the highest-value priorities, manages key projects and strategic initiatives and initiatives on the President’s behalf, and ensures commitments and action items are carried through to completion.Responsibilities:Government affairs: local, regional, and nationalLead the Center’s relationships with elected officials, staff, and agencies at the local, state and federal levels.Build visibility for the Center with federal agencies (such as USDA, NSF, and DOE) and congressional liaisons and appointed officials.Engage regional government and economic development partners to position the Center within the St. Louis innovation and agtech ecosystem.Monitor legislative, regulatory, budget, and appropriations developments and assess their impact on the Center’s research, funding, workforce, and operations.Coordinate institutional responses to government inquiries, requests, site visits, and collaboration opportunities.Ensure all government relations activity complies with federal and state lobbying, disclosure, and nonprofit requirements, including restrictions on the use of grant funds for lobbying.Leveraging government relations for research fundingTrack federal and state research funding trends, agency priorities, and emerging programs, and translate them into actionable intelligence for the President and scientific leadership.Partner with Sponsored Research and Finance to identify how policy and appropriations changes affect current awards, pipeline proposals, and the Center’s budget.Identify and help pursue public funding opportunities, including large-scale, multi-institution, and economic development initiatives.Advocate, directly and through coalitions and peer institutions, for sustained public investment in plant science and agricultural research.Brief leadership on policy shifts that may affect their programs.Partnerships and external representationServe as a senior representative of the President in meetings with public-sector leaders and strategic partners.Develop and sustain relationships with peer institutions, universities, coalitions, industry, and cross-sector collaborators.Represent the Center in coalitions, advisory bodies, and external forums.Partner with the Communications team to ensure consistent, accurate, and mission-aligned messaging to government and external audiences.Support executive thought leadership, testimony, public statements, and external presentations.Office of the PresidentPartner with the Executive Assistant to manage the President’s priorities, calendar strategy, and time allocation so effort is focused where it has the greatest impact.Lead or coordinate special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the President, ensuring clear ownership, timelines, and completion.Track decisions, commitments, and action items from the President’s meetings and follow through with internal and external stakeholders.Prepare or coordinate briefing materials for the President’s meetings, events, and travel, including government and board-facing engagements.Synthesize and brief the President on emerging trends, opportunities, and sensitive or high-profile external matters.Coordinate cross-functional input for engagements led by the President.Support the President in board-facing external matters, including preparation for meetings with board members and external stakeholders.Performs other duties assignedRequired knowledge, skills, and abilities:Leadership experience in nonprofit, public sector, or mission-driven organizationsDemonstrated success engaging with government officials and senior external stakeholdersFamiliarity with public policy and government processes relevant to the Center's workStrong strategic judgment and ability to represent executive leadership with credibility and discretionExperience working closely with boards and executive leadershipExperience in complex, multi-stakeholder environmentsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsLive the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and StewardshipQualifications:Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, business or a related field, or relevant professional experience.Typically requires 4+ years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs, public-sector engagement, government relations, or similar fields.Submission:Cover letter clearly describing interest and career goalsResumeContact information for three (3) professional references