Director, Government Relations

Vantor is currently seeking a Director of Government Relations who will support our overall U.S. government engagement strategy, reporting to the Vice President of Government Relations.  The position is based in Herndon, VA but allows for some telecommuting throughout the week based upon mission requirements. Current TS/SCI clearance is preferred. Ability to obtain clearance is required.

The Government Relations Director works as part of the Government Relations team to develop and execute federal advocacy activities in support of Vantor policy, regulatory, legislative, and budget objectives. This position will represent the Company with both the legislative and executive branch representatives, coordinating content and messaging with industry leads.  Further, the position will coordinate Vantor engagement with certain industry groups and associations, and support senior-level engagements in a wide variety of settings in support of strategic messaging objectives. 

The Government Relations Director must have extensive knowledge of the legislative process, the ability to build relationships, and the ability to define and articulate policy positions. In addition, he or she should have experience working with executive branch departments and agencies and a working understanding of their processes.   

Responsibilities 

• Foster relationships to educate legislative and executive branch decision-makers and influencers on Vantor products, services, and technologies 
• Develop, drive, and manage legislative and executive branch outreach strategy and activities 
• Monitor, analyze, respond to, and influence federal (and from time-to-time state and local) policy and regulatory trends affecting the aerospace and defense industry 
• Understand US Government customer processes, problems, and interests with a specific focus on the Department of War, the Intelligence Community, and/or Department of Homeland Security
• Work closely with other corporate business functions (e.g., business development, sales, communications, and marketing) to ensure a coordinated communications strategy in pursuit of strategic objectives 
• Incorporate an enterprise perspective (Vantor-wide) in strategy and message development 
• Identify/develop industry leadership opportunities and partnerships to advance Vantor's goals 
• Represent the company among various industry groups and associations, and prepare and implement strategies to maximize the value of such groups 
• Prepare and edit correspondence, white papers, presentations, and other communications  

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to operate with uncompromising integrity, working in a collaborative team environment 
• Knowledge of legislative and executive branch processes, U.S. Government budget cycle, and U.S. Government agency behaviors and cultures; must be able to successfully maneuver corporate issues through the U.S. Government budget and policy decision-making processes and possess a minimum of 10 years’ Capitol Hill and/or related experience
• A substantial knowledge of issues related to the Department of War and/or related agencies, the Intelligence Community, and/or the Department of Homeland Security 
• Polished writing and interpersonal skills, especially when dealing with corporate executives and senior government officials and leaders; must know proper etiquette and protocol, and be able to confidently and convincingly represent corporate issues before them 
• Self-starter, able to manage time and multi-task effectively in a hectic, fast-paced, and very demanding environment 
• Bachelors degree, preferably in Political Science or a related field 
• U.S. citizenship and ability to get and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance is required
• Some travel (up to 20%) required

Preferred Qualifications  

• The ability to thrive in a small team environment 
• Ability to quickly grasp and communicate complex technical concepts 
• Current TS/SCI clearance preferred