Public Affairs and Institutional Relations Manager (Chile)

The Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the most powerful ground-based telescopes ever engineered. It is designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and explore the unknown. Now under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the premier locations on Earth for astronomy, the telescope will deliver the highest-performing combination of image quality, field of view, and light sensitivity ever achieved. From this southern hemisphere location, the Giant Magellan Telescope will use seven of the world’s largest mirrors to uncover the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets.

When complete in the 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be one of the largest public-private funded science projects in history. It is the work of the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international research consortium, founded by 16 universities and research institutions from the United States, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We tackle the most complex engineering challenges and scientific questions alongside talented individuals who share a passion for advancing humanity’s understanding of the Universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on the future of astronomy and beyond.

The Universe Awaits®

Representation Chile.

Vice President and Legal Representative in Chile.

Lead and execute GMTO’s public affairs and institutional relations strategy in Chile, ensuring effective and long-term engagement with authorities, communities, local governments, relevant organizations, and other key stakeholders. This role is strategic within the organization, contributing to decision-making, anticipating reputational risks, and strengthening institutional presence. Additionally, the role will develop crisis communication protocols and ensure alignment with legal and technical strategies to protect GMTO’s mission.

• Design, implement, and evaluate GMTO’s public affairs strategy in Chile, focused on helping the organization engage with key stakeholders.
• Manage messaging, spokesperson guidance, and communication frameworks to strengthen corporate reputation.
• Develop and implement strategic campaigns that represent GMTO’s values, mission, and initiatives.
• Craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Manage and coordinate joint initiatives and collaborations with strategic third-party partners to enhance GMTO’s engagement.
• Monitor the national communication, political, and social landscape to anticipate risks and opportunities.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with government authorities, regulatory bodies, local governments, communities, scientific groups, and other relevant institutions.
• Map and prioritize key stakeholders, developing engagement plans for each.
• Analyze the regulatory, legislative, and political context, identifying potential impacts for the organization.
• Represent the organization in public forums, industry associations, and meetings with authorities.
• Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations on public policies relevant to the Project.
• Lead the community engagement strategy, including STEM outreach and partnerships with local universities.
• Oversee initiatives with local communities, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and best sustainability practices.
• Collaborate with other corporate areas to ensure strategic alignment.
• Report regularly on progress, risks, and metrics to the Vice President and Representative in Chile, as well as to various areas and roles in the U.S.
• Manage internal or external teams (consulting firms, agencies, etc.) when required.
• Support the Vice President and Representative in Chile in key meetings.
• Develop and execute crisis communication strategies to protect GMTO’s reputation during high-risk events or regulatory processes.
• Collaborate with legal advisors to ensure alignment of public affairs strategy with environmental permitting and SEIA interventions.
• Define and track performance indicators for stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, and reputation management.

• Professional degree in Political Science, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Law, Sociology, or related fields.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in similar roles in public affairs, external communications, government relations, or community engagement.
• Proven experience working with authorities, local governments, territorial organizations, and strategic stakeholders in Chile.
• Experience in regulated sectors or areas with high public exposure preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the country’s political, regulatory, and communication landscape.
• Ability to analyze public policies and prepare strategic reports.
• Experience managing external agencies and consulting firms.
• Advanced English / full proficiency (spoken and written).
• Strong strategic and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
• Critical thinking and results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage complex, high-level relationships.
• Proactive and focused on building trust.

• Experience in international and/or scientific organizations.
• Ability to understand and communicate technical issues related to environmental impacts and astronomical protection.

• The position is primarily based in Santiago, with availability to travel and work in La Serena (GMTO Site) and in the United States, as required by operations or the Project.
• Normal office environment. Remote working location is possible.

• No direct reports.

To apply send your resume or CV and a cover letter to careers@gmto.org.

If your skills and experience are a match for the position or if we need additional information, we will contact you. If we do not see a suitable match between your qualifications and the position, we will keep your information on file in the event future positions become available that are more suitable to your qualifications.

The GMTO Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer.