Sr. Manager or Director of Policy & Government Affairs

What You’ll Do: 

Slingshot Aerospace is seeking a Senior Manager or Director of Policy & Government Affairs to execute the company’s government affairs portfolio.  Under the direct supervision of the Senior Vice President for Global Policy & Government Strategy, this individual will be responsible for working closely with external consultants, trade associations, likeminded competitor companies, and other external stakeholders to design and execute strategies to maximize the company’s impact on government policies, strategies, regulations, and appropriations.  
You must demonstrate an understanding of how the U.S. government policy-making process works, in particular the appropriations and authorization processes, and be comfortable working in a fluid environment influenced by domestic and international politics and governed by bureaucratic processes.  You will leverage this knowledge and experience to advance the company’s priorities in Washington, D.C. and globally. 

 Position Responsibilities:  

• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose; 
• Execute the company’s legislative engagement strategy in coordination with the company’s external government affairs consultants, including conducting meetings with Congressional staff to advocate for the company’s priorities on Capitol Hill;
• Manage the company’s policy-related engagement with trade associations, other companies, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations, and other external stakeholders to amplify the company’s government affairs impact;
• Support the planning and execution of meetings with Administration and Executive Branch officials in the U.S. government;
• Professionally represent the company at space and defense industry events in Washington, D.C. and globally, including cultivating and nurturing trusted relationships with government officials and industry partners; 
• Monitor news and other public and private sources of information on the space and defense industries and proactively identify and share market insights with relevant teams across the company;
• Support the business development team in identifying potential new customers and partners, as well as expansion opportunities with existing customers, and contributing to win strategies for growth opportunities;
• Work with the Slingshot marketing team to ensure an integrated approach to government affairs and public affairs, where necessary; and
• Perform other duties as assigned (to be less than 10% of the responsibilities listed above). 

 Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor's Degree; 
• 5-10 years of experience working in or adjacent to the U.S. government in a policy or government affairs role, with at least 2-3 years of experience on Capitol Hill preferred;
• Understanding of the U.S. government legislative process, including appropriations and authorization processes;
• Working knowledge of space and/or defense policy;
• Proven experience building, maintaining, and leveraging working relationships across a professional community;
• An existing network on Capitol Hill, with Executive Branch officials, and/or within the space or defense industries;
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate company priorities into persuasive policy arguments;
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to coordinate consensus positions among internal and external stakeholders;
• Fast learner and self-starter comfortable working in a high ops tempo, cross-functional, technically-oriented environment; and
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time. 

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Proven experience advancing legislative priorities (appropriations or authorization) on Capitol Hill; 
• Understanding of U.S. government policy, planning, programming, budgeting, and/or acquisition processes across Executive Branch departments and agencies;
• Ability to translate general guidance and direction into concrete action plans;  
• Active U.S. government security clearance; and
• Comfort with public speaking and publishing – or a willingness to grow! 

 *These skills are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. You don’t have to meet every qualification listed- if your skills are transferable and you meet the minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply.  

Location: Remote.  Note: this will be a remote position, but in-person attendance at numerous Washington, DC. meetings and events is expected.  A Washington metropolitan area presence is preferred. 

Classification: Full time Exempt (administrative exemption) 

Salary: $130,000 - $200,000, commensurate with experience  

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.