Legislative Affairs Director

** Worker Type*
* Regular

** Job Description*
* Summary:

Develop, coordinate and implement legislative affairs strategy for Aero Vironment (AV). The Legislative Affairs Director will shape and execute comprehensive legislative affairs strategies that support AV priorities with Congress and the U.S. Government. This high-visibility role offers significant autonomy and direct impact on business outcomes, collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to growth goals through strategic capture of new opportunities and protection of existing programs.

Position Responsibilities

+ Represents AV to the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government

+ Coordinates and supports AV U.S. Government customer interaction in Washington D.C.

+ Develops and maintains relationships with Members of Congress, congressional committees and personal staff members; identifies and coordinates opportunities for AV leadership interaction with Congress

+ Develops and leads execution of AV's congressional advocacy and engagement strategies; manages consultant lobbyist relationships and resources, and fully complies with lobby laws, lobby disclosure and assists with Political Action Committee management (filing PAC reports and statements, depositing & dispersing funds, authorizing expenditures, advocating for contributions)

+ Monitors and assures AV awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests

+ Provides annual U.S. Government Program and Budget Justification documents to AV leadership and Business Development team

+ Monitors and provides Aero Vironment with Congressional Mark Up results of annual U.S. Government Budget Requests; secures and protects U.S. Government funding for AV programs through Congress; drives additional congressional funding for strategic AV programs

+ Represents AV interests to Aerospace, National Defense and International professional organizations

+ Regularly interacts with senior management or executive levels

+ Travel to support senior official visits to AV facilities and other customer engagements

+ Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

+ Bachelor's degree is required in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

+ 12+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, national defense activities

+ 5+ years experience working congressional activities

+ Demonstrated understanding of the Department of Defense resource allocation process

+ Demonstrated understanding of congressional oversight process

+ Demonstrated expert knowledge of government proposal and program requirements

+ Demonstrated knowledge of international procurements

+ Demonstrated understanding of regulatory requirements for US government programs, as well as international sales

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

+ Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills

+ Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships

+ Able to perform in a rapidly growing organization with rapidly changing requirements and sales targets

+ Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

+ Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances

+ Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees

+ Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision

+ Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change

+ Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks

+ Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

+ Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

+ Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)

+ Required to sit and stand for long periods;…