Director, Government Affairs

Organizational Profile:

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with more than 56,000 members residing in the U.S. and 119 other countries, is the first and largest organization in the world dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure all cancers. Our members are the collective brain trust of all scientific areas in cancer research, from population science and prevention to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies, and survivorship.

We marshal the full spectrum of expertise in the cancer research community to identify the top scientific priorities and foster the exchange of new knowledge among scientists and physicians in the cancer field as well as in related biomedical sciences. We convene conferences and educational workshops each year, publish eight high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals, produce a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers, and work to raise funds for cancer research from the philanthropic community and the public.

The AACR also actively communicates to legislators, other policymakers, and the broader public about the importance of robust and sustained funding for cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. Additionally, the AACR advocates for science-based policies that accelerate progress against cancer, including interacting with regulatory agencies on key regulatory science and policy-related issues.

Responsibilities

Job Summary:

Under the leadership of the AACR Chief Policy Officer and Vice President, Science Policy and Government Affairs, the Director, Government Affairs, will provide specialized expertise and support to AACR leaders, including the Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee, its relevant subcommittees, and the broader advocacy community to further the goals of the AACR’s Strategic Plan and policy priorities. This includes programs and activities designed to create and strengthen the dialogue between policymakers on Capitol Hill and cancer scientists and patient advocates.

The Director, Government Affairs, will also play a key role in informing and educating legislators and their staffs on Capitol Hill about evidence-based policies to advance cancer research. These potential policy proposals are recommended by the AACR Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee and approved by the AACR Board of Directors on behalf of the collective membership of the AACR.

The Director, Government Affairs, plays a central role in the success of AACR’s work on Capitol Hill and guides AACR policy activities to a productive conclusion. This staff member provides real-time information, analysis, and expert oversight of legislative issues and pending bills related to the cancer field, and reports on them to the Chief Policy Officer, Vice President, Science Policy and Government Affairs, the CEO, other AACR officers, AACR committee members, and AACR members at large. The Director, Government Affairs, focuses on initiatives that inform policymakers about the value of cancer research in improving public health and saving lives.

The Director, Government Affairs, is charged with promoting AACR position statements on Capitol Hill, including in the areas of appropriations, science and health policy-related initiatives, tobacco and cancer recommendations, and regulatory science and policy-related topics. Additionally, the Director, Government Affairs, will identify ways to incorporate AACR’s policy proposals into pending legislation, such as into bills focused on cancer health disparities research, survivorship initiatives, and clinical trial-related issues.

The Director, Government Affairs functions as a representative of the AACR when making regular contacts with Congressional offices, survivor and patient advocacy organizations, and other relevant and appropriate bodies. He/she develops effective strategies that encourage members of Congress and their staff to consult with the AACR and its expert members on important matters related to cancer and cancer research. Also, the Director, Government Affairs helps to plan and oversee the activities of AACR members when they are engaged in public education activities on Capitol Hill related to cancer and cancer-related biomedical research. Overall, he/she is responsible for executing the AACR’s expanding policy agenda and strategic plan.

The Director, Government Affairs, will also work collaboratively with others in the AACR DC office, including the Director, Science and Health Policy; the Director, Regulatory Science and Policy; and the Director, Strategic Patient Advocacy and Engagement, particularly on the numerous policy-related issues that are cross-cutting and have a Congressional aspect to them.

The AACR is strongly focused on and committed to inspiring policymakers on Capitol Hill to support robust, sustained, and predictable funding increases for the NIH and NCI. Here are just a few of the specific initiatives that the Director, Government Affairs, is charged with overseeing in his/her role:

• An Early-Career Capitol Hill Day, where AACR Associate members from across the country will participate in meetings on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to make cancer research a national priority, while also informing Members of Congress about the vital importance of sustaining the nation’s pipeline of cancer scientists.
• An annual Joint Capitol Hill Day, where the AACR partners with the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) to bring researchers, physician-scientists, cancer center directors, survivors, and patient advocates to Washington D.C. to meet with congressional leaders and their offices to discuss the vital role of federally funded cancer research in improving the lives of patients.
• A special Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to unveil/release the AACR Cancer Progress Report. The annual AACR Cancer Progress Report includes the recent advances made against cancer as a result of federally funded research and calls on Congress to support future advances through robust, sustained, and predictable annual increases in funding. Additionally, and throughout the year, the AACR sponsors other Congressional briefings on Capitol Hill to inform lawmakers about specific areas of cancer research, expose Members of Congress to the perspectives of stakeholders from across the cancer community, and support the national conversation about many areas of cancer science policy, including cancer health disparities, survivorship, and topics involving the harmful effects of tobacco.
• As the founding organizer of the Rally for Medical Research, the AACR coordinates the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day, which is an initiative that takes place in September each year and involves 400 scientific and patient organizations working together to advocate for biomedical science. Hundreds of advocates will participate in meetings with nearly every legislator on Capitol Hill. Additionally, advocates from across the country are encouraged to participate through a Rally Hill Day National Day of Action that utilizes e-mail and social media to express their support to Members of Congress for robust, sustained, and predictable annual funding increases for the NIH.

Qualifications

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direction and support for AACR’s congressional-related activities and priorities, including providing advice, establishing needs assessment, outlining strategies for implementation, and carrying them out to successful completion.
• Work closely with the members of AACR’s Science Policy and Government Affairs (SPGA) Committee, including providing updates to keep them informed on policy-related issues.
• Support SPGA committee and other task force activities, including coordinating meetings on Capitol Hill and providing background materials for participants.
• Be proactive in identifying areas of importance for the AACR on Capitol Hill.
• Work collaboratively with others in the AACR D.C. office, including the Director, Regulatory Science and Policy, the Director, Science and Health Policy, and the Director, Strategic Patient Advocacy and Engagement, particularly on the numerous policy issues that are crosscutting and have a Congressional aspect to them.
• Monitor, analyze, and assess legislation as it pertains to AACR’s policy priorities.
• Prepare Congressional testimony and contribute policy articles for AACR’s monthly policy newsletter and the annual AACR Cancer Progress Report to help inform AACR members, cancer organizations, targeted individuals, and other groups.
• Help shape special sessions and briefings to educate Members of Congress and their staff about important pending legislation and issues affecting cancer research.
• Keep abreast of the scientific programs of the AACR and consider policy and Congressional implications where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships on Capitol Hill, as well as with the congressional affairs staff at other relevant organizations and coalitions.
• Establish relationships and collaborate with other AACR staff members who work in other areas, including program development, communications and public relations, and patient advocacy support, such as through the scientist-survivor program.
• Attend and report on relevant Congressional meetings and activities.
• Manage direct reports to achieve AACR’s legislative goals.

Position Requirements:

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in congressional affairs with some experience on Capitol Hill and familiarity with the political process.
• Knowledge of science, research, and/or public health policy issues.
• Proven ability to navigate the legislative process.
• Relationships with government agencies, legislative bodies, and coalitions; strong connections with key policymakers on Capitol Hill preferred.
• Very good policy analysis skills and the ability to use data/evidence to shape policy and advocacy messages.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• High degree of judgment and insight.
• Shown an ability to carry through to completion an important initiative and/or project on Capitol Hill.
• Ability to analyze complex political and policy issues.
• Ability to interact, negotiate, and work with AACR leaders on complex policy matters, including the CEO, Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee members, relevant subcommittee members, prominent scientists, and Administration and Congressional officials.
• Ability to manage direct reports.

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