Partnership and Impact Officer

About CCST

The California Council on Science & Technology (CCST) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988 to provide science advice to the State of California. We connect state policymakers with leading experts in science and technology across our partner institutions, which include California’s top universities and laboratories. As a trusted advisor, CCST strengthens and informs California policy with scientific knowledge and innovation across technology, physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences. Guided by the core values of service, independence, partnership, and integrity, CCST works to improve the lives of Californians and sustain California’s leadership in technology and innovation for a healthy economy, society, and environment.

CCST provides independent science advising to help policymakers craft policies that benefit all Californians, including those who are underserved and underrepresented. Our program portfolio includes the Science & Technology Policy Fellowship and issue-specific Science Residencies, which place scientists and engineers in the legislative and executive branch for a year of government service, and a diverse set of Science Services, including expert briefings, workshops, peer-reviewed reports, and Government Staff Academies. Collectively, our programs support informed decision-making in California state government in a rapidly changing world.

Each role at CCST contributes to advancing our 2025-29 Strategic Plan, guided by four goals:

1. Equip California policymakers with trusted and timely expertise.
2. Strengthen California’s science and technology policy talent pipeline.
3. Anticipate California’s future opportunities and challenges.
4. Integrate California’s science, technology, and policy communities.

Our team is collaborative and inclusive. We believe more minds, with different perspectives and lived experiences, lead to greater impact. We are entrepreneurial and pursue opportunities that meet the greatest needs. Agile, flexible, and responsive, we thrive in the rapidly changing landscape in which we operate. We have a growth mindset and are continuously improving our approach. We care about each other as people.

Job Overview

The Partnership and Impact Officer drives partnership and fundraising strategies that advance CCST’s Strategic Plan. They expand CCST’s reach and impact by developing strategic relationships across California’s science, technology, innovation, and policy ecosystems and help secure funding through compelling proposals, innovative and thoughtful partner engagement, and proactive donor cultivation. They also support the programmatic work in ongoing strategic initiatives and improve CCST’s strategy to measure and communicate the organization’s impact across programs. By working collaboratively across internal teams to embed a partner-centric approach into program delivery and implementation, the Partnership and Impact Officer will work to sustain, communicate, and elevate the larger impact and significance of CCST’s work and partners.

This position is currently a limited-term role through December 2027, with an opportunity for extension pending funding availability.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives and collaborates closely with the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Communications team, Science Services team, Policy Engagement team, CEO, Partner Institutions, funders, and other CCST stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships and Sustainability (25%)

• Develop and implement strategies for partnership, building collaborations, and stewarding relationships with CCST’s Partner Institutions, research and education institutions, state government, industry, philanthropic foundations, and others to maintain and grow CCST’s network and increase engagement around our services.
• Support leadership in fundraising by drafting high-quality proposals and grant applications to foundations, the State, and other funders, managing funder relationships, and tracking a pipeline of prospective donors to advance CCST’s Strategic Plan.

Network Management (20%)

• Manage relationships with Partner Institutions and other key stakeholders, tracking important issues, coordinating meetings, and creating and implementing systematic reporting strategies.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of new approaches for CCST to formalize its relationships with other types of stakeholders in the science and tech policy ecosystem.
• Establish systems and processes to expand and document CCST’s relationships with new and existing stakeholders, including expanding, improving, and increasing the cross-organizational utility of CCST’s CRM (Salesforce).
• Support the reboot of CCST’s Distinguished Experts Network, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of nomination and onboarding processes, substantive engagement approaches, and impact reporting.
• Facilitate convenings of the Board, Distinguished Experts, and other Partners.

Impact Measurement, Analysis, and Communication (20%)

• Support the development of compelling communications, reports, presentations, and other products illustrating CCST’s impact for both internal (such as our annual End of Year Reports to Partner Institutions) and external audiences (such as our Annual Report and semi-annual Federal Labs Impact Report).
• Develop frameworks for evaluating program performance–including outputs, outcomes, and impacts–toward increasing partnership engagement.
• Use data and storytelling to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact to stakeholders, embedding a cross-sector, partner-centric approach into CCST’s program delivery and implementation.

Program-Related Outreach (15%)

• Contribute to program-related relationship management and outreach.
• Support the development and implementation of science and technology-focused workshops.
• Explore program- and issue-specific funding opportunities to meet the demand for scientific and technological expertise in State Government.

External Engagement and Representation (10%)

• Maintain regular interactions with relevant external communities, including professional associations relevant to CCST’s interests.
• Attend relevant briefings, conferences, and site visits to represent CCST and stay current on policy developments.
• Represent the organization in the California policy, research, and philanthropy landscape, building trust with external and internal stakeholders.
• Travel periodically to conduct in-person meetings with CCST partners.

Marginal Duties (10%)

• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support the organization, cover staff absences, or balance operational workloads as directed by management.
• Special Projects: Conduct special tasks, assignments, or administrative projects upon management request.
• Meetings and Training: Attend general staff meetings, participate in ongoing internal training, and serve on ad-hoc committees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in organizational development/leadership, nonprofit management, philanthropic studies, a STEM discipline, public policy, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of professional experience in fundraising, project management, and communications, preferably in nonprofit, academic, or policy environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing partnerships and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to synthesize information across diverse subject areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to facilitate meetings and present to diverse audiences.
• Prior experience working with government and an understanding of public policy processes. Knowledge of the California legislature and/or executive branch preferred.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with experience using project management and CRM software and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain quality standards while managing multiple concurrent projects.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Prior experience working with research institutions or academic partnerships.
• Knowledge of partnership development in nonprofit settings.
• Experience with Asana or similar project management platforms.
• Experience working with Salesforce.

Salary Range

$70,000-$90,000

Location

Sacramento, California. CCST has a hybrid work policy for our team, working from home as the default on Mondays and Fridays and working in person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in our office across the street from the State Capitol.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a 403b match; medical, dental, and vision insurance options; relocation assistance; and opportunities to telework. We are driven by a huge nonprofit vision, inviting you to contribute meaningfully to building the future, making a positive impact every day, and fostering personal and career growth in a supportive work environment.

• Competitive salary and 403b match after 1 year of employment
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Two weeks of paid vacation for new employees
• Three volunteer service days annually
• Flex Spending accounts for dependent care, parking, and transit
• Professional development support: individual support and quarterly team-based professional development engagements
• $20/month stipend for phone/internet
• Snack-filled kitchen
• Huge nonprofit vision (we need you to help build the future and do meaningful work every day that inspires and motivates you)

To Apply

Apply for this position by submitting a cover letter, CV, and names of 3 professional references through our online portal. The cover letter should explain your interest in the position and your relevant skills and experience. Please consider answering the voluntary questions on demographic data and where you learned about this position – this information helps us understand how we can continue to improve our recruitment processes to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work full-time in the United States as a U.S. citizen or national, asylee, refugee, lawful permanent resident, or other holders of Employment Authorization Documents. CCST will not sponsor a work visa.

CCST is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions based on qualifications, merit, and our organization’s business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any such status protected under federal, state, or local law.

For additional information about the opportunity, please contact Christy Shay at [email protected]. All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.

Application Deadline

Applications received by August 24th, 2026, will be prioritized for review. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Apply

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About CCST
The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. Modeled on the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), CCST is a unique, impartial resource for science and policy partnerships with California policymakers, such as those within the Governor’s Office, Agencies, and the Legislature. As a trusted advisor, CCST strengthens and informs California policy with scientific knowledge and innovation across technology, physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences. This helps improve the lives of Californians, ensures the state remains a leader in technology and innovation, and guides global progress towards a healthy economy, society, and environment.