Public Affairs Specialist at Horizontal Talent in Washington, Washington DC

Public Affairs Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled Public Affairs Specialist to support a fast-moving, high-visibility federal science policy initiative focused on shaping national-level recommendations for the future of the National Science Foundation. This role sits at the intersection of science policy, executive facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and program management. The ideal candidate will be responsible for coordinating a high-level working group of senior experts, synthesizing complex input from a broad stakeholder community, and supporting the development of policy recommendations and formal written deliverables. This is an exciting opportunity that requires a polished, politically savvy professional who can operate confidently with senior executives, scientists, and policy leaders in high-stakes discussions. This is a hybrid role with in-office presence required in Washington, DC (2 days per week).
Key Responsibilities
Facilitate and coordinate high-level working group meetings and discussions with senior scientists, policy experts, and executive stakeholders
Manage end-to-end program execution including agendas, scheduling, logistics, timelines, milestones, and deliverables for a fast-paced initiative
Design and support stakeholder engagement efforts, including large-scale input campaigns, workshops, and coordination of external submissions and white papers
Synthesize complex technical, scientific, and policy input into clear insights, briefing materials, and structured recommendations
Support drafting of reports and policy documents that inform national-level science policy recommendations
Partner closely with senior leadership and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, continuity, and execution across all workstreams
Required Qualifications
3-5+ years of experience in federal science policy, science & technology policy, government affairs, or research policy
Deep knowledge of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. federal science funding ecosystem (required)
Proven experience supporting or facilitating high-level working groups, advisory boards, committees, or multi-stakeholder initiatives
Strong experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs or projects with aggressive timelines
Excellent written communication skills, including experience drafting policy materials, reports, briefings, or strategic documents
Strong executive presence with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, scientists, and policy experts
High degree of professionalism, discretion, and independent judgment in sensitive or high-visibility environments