Legislative Affairs Director

Job Overview

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 role offers significant autonomy and direct impact on business outcomes, collaborating with senior leadership and cross‑functional teams to drive growth goals through strategic capture of new opportunities and protection of existing programs.

• Represent AV to the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government.
• Coordinate and support AV U.S. Government customer interaction in Washington, D.C.
• Develop and maintain relationships with members of Congress, congressional committees and personal staff; identify and coordinate opportunities for AV leadership interaction with Congress.
• Lead execution of AV’s congressional advocacy and engagement strategies; manage consultant lobbyist relationships and resources, and fully comply with lobby laws, lobbying disclosure, and political action committee management.
• Monitor and assure AV awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests.
• Provide annual U.S. Government program and budget justification documents to AV leadership and Business Development team.
• Monitor and provide AV with congressional markup results of annual U.S. Government budget requests; secure and protect U.S. Government funding for AV programs through Congress; drive additional congressional funding for strategic AV programs.
• Represent AV interests to aerospace, national defense and international professional organizations.
• Interact regularly with senior management or executive levels.
• Travel to support senior official visits to AV facilities and other customer engagements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree 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 U.S. government programs, as well as international sales.

• Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships.
• Ability 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.
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and 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.
• Commits 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.

• Ability to work in an office environment (constant).
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (frequent).
• Occasional or frequent travel may be required.

Clearance Level: TS/SCI.

• ITAR U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability to obtain a clearance is desired.

• Salary range: $145,000 – $221,250.
• Medical, dental, vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company matching.
• 9/80 work schedule and paid holiday shutdown.
• ITAR compliance requirements.

Aero Vironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.