Location: Alexandria, VA - Hybrid Available

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is committed to improving health through medical physics and advancing excellence in the science, education, and professional practice of the field. Our strategic priorities include advancing contributions in medical physics, adopting new computational technologies, promoting health equity, and ensuring organizational sustainability.

AAPM is seeking a Director of Government Affairs and External Relations to join our leadership team and lead our advocacy efforts and external engagement strategy. This role serves as AAPM's primary representative in legislative and regulatory matters, while building strategic partnerships to advance the field of medical physics.

The Director will shape public policy, strengthen the association's influence, and amplify the impact of medical physicists across the healthcare landscape. The ideal candidate must be committed to advancing the role of medical physicists in healthcare policy and expanding their contributions to patient care and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

Government Affairs

• Develop and lead comprehensive advocacy strategies for medical physics professionals at the federal and state levels.
• Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislation, regulations, and agency activities affecting medical physics.
• Serve as AAPM's primary representative to policymakers, regulatory agencies, and legislative bodies.
• Organize member fly-ins, Congressional visits, and grassroots mobilization campaigns.
• Deliver expert testimony, comment letters, and policy briefings.
• Prepare timely updates and actionable policy guidance for leadership and members.

Strategic Partnerships & External Relations

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with peer associations, coalitions, and policy bodies.
• Represent AAPM in collaborative initiatives and external forums that elevate the medical physics profile.
• Identify and lead outward-facing initiatives that enhance AAPM's visibility and influence.
• Engage with medical communities, including radiation oncology, radiology, nuclear medicine, and medical informatics.
• Build and maintain relationships with federal agencies, including CMS, NIH, NCI, NRC, CDC, and FDA.
• Collaborate with societies including the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), and Health Physics Society (HPS).
• Oversee the planning and execution of stakeholder summits, roundtables, and convening events.

Leadership & Operations

• Staff liaison to the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee (GRAC), the Professional Economics Committee (ECON), and the State Champions program.
• Oversee operations of the Medical Physics Institute and other joint venture programs, including the Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System (RO-ILS).
• Ensure compliance with federal and state lobbying regulations, reporting requirements, and ethical standards. Lead and support other external strategic priorities as assigned.
• Supervise one Program Manager and manage all outsourced advocacy resources, related tools, and services.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree in public policy, law, health policy, or science preferred
• 7+ years of government relations or public policy experience in scientific, medical, or health-related fields
• 3+ years of supervisory experience with team leadership
• Proven track record in legislative advocacy, policy analysis, and coalition-building
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
• Familiarity with the medical physics profession or health science policy is highly desirable
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
• Must be located within the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area for regular access to Congress and federal agencies.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Telework flexibility with office located in Alexandria, VA
• Leadership role in advancing healthcare policy and patient safety
• Professional development opportunities
• Collaborative environment focused on improving health equity

To Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to cbizhr@aapm.org. In your cover letter, please answer: What are the key issues affecting medical physics?

About American Association of Physicists in Medicine

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is a 501(c)(3) organization of approximately 10,000 medical physicists with its headquarters office located in Alexandria, VA. AAPM is committed to improving health through medical physics and advancing excellence in the science, education, and professional practice of the field. Our strategic priorities include advancing contributions in medical physics, adopting new computational technologies, promoting health equity, and ensuring organizational sustainability.

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