Head of External Affairs

Position Overview

A rapidly growing, venture-backed company in the advanced energy sector is seeking a dynamic, outward-facing leader to serve as Head of External Affairs. This role is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive external engagement strategy across public affairs, government relations, and business development support.

As a primary external representative, this individual will engage with stakeholders across federal and state governments, national laboratories, academia, industry partners, and the broader energy ecosystem. The role will ensure the company's mission, capabilities, and market position are clearly communicated to advance strategic partnerships and commercial opportunities.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this position requires a highly entrepreneurial, self-directed leader who thrives in fast-moving environments and can build an external affairs function from the ground up. The role is closely tied to long-term revenue generation through strategic partnerships, commercial agreements, and market development initiatives.

Location

Greater Boston Area (required).
This role will begin as remote, with an expected transition to an in-office environment once a headquarters location is established locally. Regular travel is required for conferences, stakeholder engagement, and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

1. Corporate Outreach & Public Affairs Strategy (25%)

• Develop and execute a comprehensive external communications and outreach strategy aligned with company growth objectives
• Shape and maintain consistent external messaging and narrative across audiences
• Lead development of press releases, public statements, and communications materials
• Engage with state and regional stakeholders on infrastructure and development opportunities
• Support structuring and negotiation of commercial frameworks and partnership models
• Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships
• Provide market intelligence to inform pricing, positioning, and commercial strategy

2. Government Affairs & Strategic Engagement (25%)

• Build and maintain relationships with federal and state agencies, policymakers, regulators, and research institutions
• Support leadership in navigating complex policy and regulatory environments
• Identify and pursue opportunities for government funding, partnerships, and collaboration

3. Industry Development, Business Intelligence & Commercial Growth (20%)

• Represent the company at industry conferences, forums, and working groups
• Communicate the company's value proposition while gathering competitive and market insights
• Support business development through lead generation and partnership identification
• Contribute to development of commercial opportunities and long-term customer relationships
• Help establish revenue-generating agreements and pipeline growth
• Provide insights to inform broader go-to-market strategy

4. Digital Presence & Communications Management (15%)

• Oversee external communications channels, including website and public content
• Ensure consistent and timely updates reflecting company progress and milestones
• Coordinate messaging across internal and external stakeholders

5. Strategic Support to Executive Leadership (10%)

• Support executive team with briefing materials and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Contribute to investor-facing communications and strategic messaging
• Act as an advisor on external positioning and reputational considerations

6. Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Perform other duties as required in a high-growth environment

First-Year Success Metrics

• Establish and execute a comprehensive external affairs strategy with measurable impact on visibility and engagement
• Build strong relationships across government, industry, and research stakeholders
• Successfully represent the company at major industry events, contributing to pipeline development
• Deliver high-quality, consistent external communications
• Develop a robust and qualified pipeline of commercial opportunities
• Support partnerships and initiatives that contribute to near- and long-term revenue growth
• Build repeatable outreach processes and engagement frameworks
• Become a trusted advisor to the CEO on external strategy and positioning

Authority & Ownership

• Full ownership of external engagement strategy, priorities, and execution
• Acts as a primary external representative of the company
• Operates autonomously in identifying and advancing strategic opportunities
• Responsible for building and scaling the external affairs function
• Owns budget and future team build-out as the function expands

Leadership Profile

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of building programs and relationships from the ground up
• Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
• Highly collaborative and effective across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communicator across technical and executive audiences
• High ownership, initiative, and accountability

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• 7+ years of experience in communications, government affairs, public affairs, or related fields
• Experience engaging with government stakeholders or regulated industries
• Strong writing and content development experience (press releases, executive communications, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies
• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain access to controlled information
• Strong leadership, organizational, and execution skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in energy, advanced technology, defense, or other regulated industries
• Existing relationships with government agencies, research institutions, or policymakers
• Background supporting business development or strategic partnerships
• Experience in startup or high-growth environments
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and government processes

Additional Requirements

• Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Greater Boston area
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Must maintain eligibility for access to controlled information