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Director, Federal Government Relations

Location: Washington, DC
Department: Policy and Advocacy
Reports to: Senior Director, Federal Government Relations
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Salary Range: $120,000–$150,000
Travel: Up to 10–15%

About California Life Sciences (CLS)

California Life Sciences (CLS) is the state’s leading life sciences membership organization, advocating for California’s world-class innovation ecosystem across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and healthcare. For more than 30 years, CLS has supported companies ranging from early-stage startups to global industry leaders.

CLS works closely with policymakers, research institutions, healthcare leaders, investors, and industry partners to advance public policy, improve access to breakthrough technologies, and support innovation that leads to healthier lives. With offices in South San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, CLS is committed to protecting and strengthening California’s life sciences industry.

CLS Purpose: Empowering our life sciences community to deliver innovative solutions for healthier lives.

CLS Core Values: Impact, Integrity, Community, Equity, and Collaboration

About the Role

The Director, Federal Government Relations is a Washington, DC-based role responsible for advancing CLS’ federal advocacy priorities and strengthening the organization’s visibility and engagement within the federal policy landscape. This position works directly with Members of Congress, congressional committees and caucuses, administration officials, industry stakeholders, and partner organizations on issues impacting California’s life sciences ecosystem.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and skilled communicator with strong legislative and policy expertise, particularly within healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical innovation. This role supports the design and execution of advocacy strategies that drive policy outcomes for CLS membership while identifying legislative and regulatory opportunities, risks, and impacts affecting the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Federal Advocacy & Policy Engagement

• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, congressional committees, administration officials, the California delegation, and key external stakeholders.
• Monitor and evaluate legislative and regulatory developments impacting California’s life sciences ecosystem and provide policy analysis, recommendations, briefing materials, and communications to CLS membership.
• Support the development and execution of comprehensive advocacy strategies and federal policy solutions aligned with CLS priorities.
• Represent CLS at meetings, coalition calls, industry events, conferences, and policy forums.
• Assist with educational programming and policy engagement initiatives that highlight California’s biomedical research and innovation ecosystem.
• Register and maintain compliance as a federal lobbyist as required.

Relationship Management & External Affairs

• Build and maintain relationships with CLS member companies, trade associations, advocacy groups, and affiliate organizations.
• Elevate CLS’ visibility through strategic engagement, issue education, events, and partnership development.
• Support sponsorship and engagement opportunities related to CLS programs and Washington, DC-based events.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to strengthen CLS’ federal presence and advocacy efforts.

Strategic & Organizational Support

• May provide project leadership or managerial responsibilities depending on organizational needs.
• Demonstrate professionalism, sound political judgment, collaboration, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of work.
• Maintain flexibility to support occasional early morning, evening, and nontraditional work hours associated with legislative schedules and events.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in federal government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or advocacy.
• Direct Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred, including experience working for a Member of Congress or congressional committee.
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory environment impacting healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex policy and legislative issues and translate them into actionable strategies.
• Strong bipartisan relationship-building skills and experience engaging with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, collaboration, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment.

Preferred

• Experience supporting political or issue advocacy campaigns.
• Familiarity with California’s congressional delegation and California-specific policy priorities.
• Experience within a trade association, membership organization, healthcare organization, or mission-driven advocacy environment.
• Subject matter expertise related to biotechnology, biomedical innovation, healthcare policy, or pharmaceutical policy.

Final compensation will be based on experience, skills, internal equity, and organizational budget.

CLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.