Public Affairs Strategist

At Evolv, we're redefining how public spaces approach safety. Trusted by schools, hospitals, entertainment venues, sports stadiums, and other organizations across the country, our technology is helping communities create safer environments while preserving the welcoming experiences people expect. As a Public Affairs Strategist, you'll lead Evolv's work to advance state‑level policy that establishes advanced weapons screening as a recognized standard for keeping students and staff safe in K‑12 schools. You'll build the state‑by‑state game plan — mapping the legislative and regulatory landscape, identifying and engaging the policymakers and community organizations who shape school‑safety decisions, and organizing the coalitions that turn a shared goal into enacted policy. You'll begin with top‑priority states and carry them forward over time, expanding to new states as the program grows, and you'll help identify, direct, and manage outside lobbying partners where they can accelerate progress. This role is ideal for a public affairs professional who has moved policy through statehouses before, thrives in complex multi‑stakeholder environments, communicates with credibility and diplomacy across the political spectrum, helps identify the funding for new policy mandates, and is energized by work that creates meaningful impact for students and communities. What does success in the role look like? Within the first 30 days, you will: Develop a deep understanding of Evolv's mission, products, customers, and the school‑safety policy landscape across priority states. Build familiarity with the environment in a few high‑priority states—existing legislation, recent legislative and regulatory activity, and the associations, research organizations, public‑sector entities, and community leaders who influence school‑safety decisions. Establish working relationships with internal partners across Growth, Marketing, Sales, Product, Legal, and Customer Success. Begin sharpening the prioritization view of where policy progress is most achievable, and put in place a game plan to help drive it forward. Within 90 days, you will: Deliver and begin executing a clear, actionable plan for each of the first three priority states — covering the legislative and regulatory landscape, the key policymakers and the path to engaging them, the coalition of supporters to organize, the most viable policy vehicle and funding pathway, and a clear-eyed read of likely opposition. Begin building relationships with key external stakeholders in those states, including legislators and committee staff, school‑safety associations, and education and parent organizations. Help develop evidence‑based, locally relevant messaging and supporting materials that communicate Evolv's impact to diverse audiences. Recommend where outside lobbying or government‑relations partners would accelerate progress and begin scoping and managing those engagements. Within your first year, you will: Move the first states forward toward introduced legislation or regulatory action, and stand up the next wave of priority states. Establish Evolv as a trusted, credible, and engaged participant in school‑safety policy conversations. Build and maintain meaningful relationships with priority associations, research institutions, public‑sector organizations, and community influencers. Develop a repeatable state playbook that allows the program to scale efficiently across many states. Identify, direct, and manage outside lobbyists and partners across multiple states, ensuring their work aligns with Evolv's strategy and compliance standards. Support the development of evidence‑based proof points and independent research that strengthen customer confidence and the broader case for advanced screening. The Work: What type of work will you be doing? State Policy Strategy & Campaign Development Build and own the state‑by‑state plan to advance advanced weapons screening as a school‑safety standard — beginning with priority states and expanding over time. For each state, map the legislative and regulatory landscape, identify the most viable policy vehicle (legislation, regulation, code, or funding mechanism), and define a realistic path to adoption. Pair each policy effort with a viable funding pathway so that adopted standards can actually be implemented. Maintain a prioritization framework that sequences states by feasibility and opportunity and adapts as conditions change. Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building Identify, map, and engage the legislators, committee staff, public‑sector leaders, and community organizations that shape school‑safety policy in each state. Build and organize coalitions of credible third‑party voices — parent and education organizations, school‑safety associations, principals and superintendents, and other community stakeholders — who can advocate for safer schools. Develop a tailored value proposition and engagement approach for each stakeholder, and build the relationships and pathways needed to earn the meeting. Represent Evolv in external forums, industry events, working groups, and standards organizations as appropriate. Outside Partner & Lobbyist Management Identify the states where engaging outside lobbying or government‑relations partners will accelerate progress, and recommend when and where to do so. Select, direct, and manage outside lobbyists and consultants, ensuring their work aligns with Evolv's strategy, messaging, and compliance standards. Coordinate registration, disclosure, and reporting requirements in partnership with Legal and Compliance. Evidence Development & Messaging Work cross‑functionally with Growth, Marketing, Sales, Product, and Customer Success to gather customer insights and develop evidence‑based proof points. Support relationships with research organizations and third‑party partners to advance independent validation and studies that strengthen market and policymaker confidence. Develop clear, locally relevant messaging and briefing materials for legislators, community organizations, and the public. Responsible Engagement & Compliance Partner closely with Legal and Compliance to ensure all external engagement aligns with company policy and applicable law, including lobbying registration, political neutrality, anti‑corruption, and business‑courtesy requirements. Uphold Evolv's commitment to responsible, neutral, and transparent engagement with public officials, partners, and communities. What is leadership like for this role? The Public Affairs Strategist will report directly to Evolv's Chief Growth Officer and work closely with senior leaders across Marketing, Sales, Product, Legal, and Customer Success. Where is the role located? Our preference is for the Public Affairs Strategist to be based near Evolv's headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts; however, we are open to exceptional candidates located in strategic cities in the United States, including New York and Washington, DC. This is a relationship‑oriented, externally facing role that requires regular engagement with legislators and committee staff, associations, research partners, community organizations, and industry events — including frequent travel to state capitols and stakeholder meetings. Travel will vary throughout the year based on legislative calendars and business priorities, so candidates should be comfortable traveling as needed and reside within reasonable access to a major airport. Notes on Confidentiality & Compliance This role operates within a sensitive, politically neutral, and externally visible area of the business. The successful candidate will be expected to exercise strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism when engaging with legislators, public officials, and other external stakeholders, and when handling confidential information. Public‑facing materials, engagement plans, and stakeholder communications should be developed in partnership with the appropriate internal teams and approved through established company processes. Interactions with government officials, public‑sector entities, and other external stakeholders — including the engagement of outside lobbyists — must align with Evolv's policies related to political neutrality, business courtesies, anti‑corruption, lobbying registration, and compliance. Compensation and Transparency Statement The base salary range for this full‑time position is $102,000–$166,000. In addition to base salary, this role offers a competitive target bonus, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. This range reflects our commitment to pay transparency and equity, in alignment with applicable state laws. Our compensation ranges are determined based on factors such as role, level, location, market benchmarks, and internal equity. The posted range represents the good‑faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this role across U.S. locations. Actual compensation within the range will be based on the candidate's skills, experience, education, and geographic location. In accordance with state and local pay transparency laws—including those in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and others—wedisclosesalary ranges in all job postings and provideadditionalinformation upon request. The specific salary range for your preferred location A general overview of our benefits and equity offerings Insights into how compensation decisions are made, including factors that influence starting pay We are committed to fair pay practices, and we regularly review our compensation programs to ensure they are competitive, equitable, and aligned with our values. Requirements Must Have 5+ years of experience in government affairs, public affairs, legislative or regulatory campaigns, stakeholder engagement, chief of staff or public‑sector relations, with direct experience advancing policy at the state level. Demonstrated success helping develop and pass — or materially advance — state legislation or regulation, ideally across more than one state, from concept through enactment. Demonstrated ability to build and organize coalitions of external stakeholders (associations, advocacy and community organizations, public‑sector partners) and mobilize them in support of a shared policy goal. Strong influence skills: the ability to map a legislative landscape, identify the right decision‑makers, and earn the meeting without formal authority. Experience working across the political spectrum and tailoring messaging to different political environments. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear messaging, briefing materials, stakeholder communications, and executive‑ready updates. High integrity, discretion, and professionalism when operating in sensitive, politically neutral, and externally visible environments. Nice to Have Experience in K‑12 education, school safety, public safety, violence prevention, healthcare, or other mission‑driven sectors. Experience selecting, directing, and managing outside lobbyists or government‑relations firms. Familiarity with school safety standards organizations, research institutions, advocacy groups, or public‑sector partners. Familiarity with state legislative process, regulatory pathways, public funding mechanisms, and grant programs relevant to school safety. Experience building evidence‑based cases or supporting independent research and validation. Comfort operating in a fast‑moving, high‑growth environment where priorities may evolve and the path forward is not always fully defined. Benefits At Evolv, we're on a mission to help make public spaces safer through innovative security technology. So, we're looking for future teammates who embody our values, people who: Do the right thing, always; Put people first Own it Win together; and continue to Be bold, stay curious. Our Benefits Include: Equity as part of your total compensation package Medical, dental, and vision insurance Health Savings Account (HSA) A 401(k) plan (and 2% company match) Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) — take the time you need to recharge, with manager approval and business needs in mind Quarterly stipend for perks and benefits that matter most to you Tuition reimbursement to support your ongoing learning and development Subscription to Calm Evolv Technology ('Evolv') is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace, and all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law in the locations where we operate. Evolv will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Evolv is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of the job application process, please connect with us at [emailprotected]. Evolv participates in E‑verify for all employees after the completion of Form I‑9. #J-18808-Ljbffr