Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Affairs

Overview

Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Affairs at Zap Energy. Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission, and hybrid applications. The role shapes how Zap Energy is understood by policymakers, industry leaders, customers, investors, and the public. You will lead the external affairs strategy, integrating communications, government affairs, policy engagement, executive positioning, and stakeholder relations into a single function.

You will help define the emerging category of the integrated nuclear company and ensure Zap is a trusted voice in energy security, AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and technology leadership. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CEO and requires the judgment, presence, and credibility to advise the leadership team and guide strategic decisions before challenges arise. You will lead a growing team responsible for communications, government affairs, policy, executive communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement, while managing external agencies, consultants, and lobbying partners to advance Zap's objectives.

• Strategic Communications & Corporate Narrative — Translate Zap's scientific and strategic vision into a compelling narrative for policymakers, customers, investors, regulators, engineers, and the public. Partner with the CEO and executive leadership to articulate what Zap is building and why it matters for America’s energy future. Own the overarching narrative and ensure consistency across external touchpoints. Lead executive communications, speeches, congressional testimony, op-eds, white papers, and strategic thought leadership.
  
  Build and maintain Zap's editorial voice: technically rigorous, credible, ambitious, and grounded. Partner with engineering and scientific teams to translate milestones into clear public messages.

• Government Affairs & Public Policy — Develop and execute Zap's government affairs strategy across federal, state, local, and international stakeholders. Build long-term relationships to position Zap as a trusted partner on advanced nuclear energy, national security, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, and innovation policy. Build relationships with members of Congress, congressional committees, executive agencies, governors, state legislatures, regulators, national laboratories, and local governments.
  
  Partner with internal leadership and external lobbying firms to influence legislation, appropriations, regulatory frameworks, and public policy. Identify policy opportunities and risks while advising leadership on evolving political and regulatory landscapes. Coordinate government engagement across commercialization, siting, licensing, funding, defense, and research initiatives. Represent Zap before policymakers, industry associations, and public forums. Support pursuit of federal funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and public‑private initiatives.

• Messaging & Brand — Define and steward the messaging architecture that positions Zap as a category‑defining company. Develop core messaging frameworks and audience‑specific positioning. Ensure alignment across marketing, recruiting, investor relations, government affairs, and policy communications. Continually refine messaging based on evolving technology, policy, competitive dynamics, and public perception.

• External Engagement & Executive Visibility — Build Zap's presence where energy policy, technology, and investment are shaped. Develop an integrated strategy for conferences, policy forums, industry events, and executive speaking engagements. Secure opportunities for Zap leadership before industry, government, defense, and academic audiences. Prepare executives for congressional hearings, media interviews, keynote presentations, panels, and investor engagements. Host government officials, policymakers, investors, strategic partners, and media at Zap facilities.

• Publishing, Media & Thought Leadership — Build Zap into a respected voice in advanced nuclear energy. Develop a publishing strategy spanning scientific communications, policy papers, op-eds, technical perspectives, and…