External Affairs Lead

As Reflective's External Affairs Lead, you'll own the organization's relationships and strategy at the intersection of science, policy, and public legitimacy. Your job is to build the trust, partnerships, and political and institutional foundations required for empirical research into SAI/SRM to proceed responsibly, and in a timely manner.

• Identify and create opportunities to cultivate a core network of institutional allies—scientific, policy, and philanthropic—who can publicly and privately support responsible research.
• Coordinate with legal, governance, and field partners to map out permitting and policy pathways for a potential controlled, small-scale, outdoor experiment. Build relationships with relevant agencies, civil society organizations, and research bodies in candidate countries.
• Translate internal milestones into external opportunities, and ensure stakeholders hear about Reflective's work at the right time and through the right channels.
• Anticipate reputational and political risks. Prepare guidance, messaging, and contingency plans for sensitive topics or potential controversies.

This role creates positive change by building the trust, partnerships, and political foundations needed for responsible research into sunlight reflection (SAI/SRM), which could help limit climate impacts alongside emissions reductions and carbon removal.

• 10+ years of experience in policy, external relations, philanthropy, or research-based advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-sector coalitions, stakeholder engagement, or government relations in a complex scientific or technology context.
• Exceptional judgment and discretion. You can navigate politically sensitive issues without losing sight of long-term strategy.
• Excellent writing and synthesis skills—you can distill complex scientific and policy material into crisp, credible prose.

We expect this position to be a regular, full-time position, with an annual salary between $145,000 and $190,000 USD, depending on level of experience. In addition to salary, we offer a comprehensive set of benefits to all full-time employees:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off and sick leave, including 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Flexible working hours

Reflective is a philanthropically-funded initiative to develop the necessary knowledge base and do the requisite technology research and development for sunlight reflection (SAI/SRM), urgently and responsibly, to help limit climate impacts.