Director, Government Relations

Maxar Intelligence is currently seeking a Director of Government Relations who will support Maxar Intelligence’s 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. 

The Director of Government Relations works as part of the Government Relations team to develop and execute federal advocacy activities in support of Maxar 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 Maxar 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.   

Major Areas of Responsibility 

• Foster relationships to educate legislative and executive branch decision-makers and influencers on Maxar 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 Defense, the Intelligence Community, and/or NASA 

• Understand customer priorities and motivations and effectively communicate those drivers to business area leads  

• 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 (Maxar-wide) in strategy and message development 

• Identify/develop industry leadership opportunities and partnerships to advance Maxar’s goals 

• Represent the company among various industry groups and associations, and prepare and implement strategies to maximize the value of such groups 

• Prepare for and attend conferences, meetings, special events, etc.  

• Cultivate and maintain a wide and deep network of contacts 

• Prepare and edit correspondence, white papers, presentations, and other communications  

• Make oral and written presentations on behalf of the company 

• Assist with special events and projects 

• Coordinate with and/or direct interns and consultants 

• Other duties as assigned 

Required Skills 

• 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 

• Polished 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 

• Team player who can interact and build relationships with fellow employees from other corporate office locations 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelors degree, preferably in Political Science or a related field 

• 10+ years’ Capitol Hill and/or related experience with a substantial knowledge of issues related to the Department of Defense and/or Defense agencies, the Intelligence Community, and/or NASA 

• Experience in the legislative drafting process and crafting an overall engagement and communications strategy 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule in order to meet the demands of the position 

• Some travel (up to 25%) required 

• US citizenship required 

• Ability to get and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance 

Preferred Qualifications  

• 7+ years Capitol Hill experience and/or executive agency experience 

• The ability to thrive in a small team environment 

• Ability to quickly grasp and communicate complex technical concepts 

• Excellent oral, writing, and communication skills; ability to draft policy papers, letters, newsletters, editorials, and presentations and speak comfortably, confidently, and articulately before audiences of all sizes and levels 

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word, Power Point, Excel and Outlook 

• Current TS/SCI clearance preferred