Legislative Affairs Director

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)
• Maintains 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 AeroVironment 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
• Supports senior official visits to AV facilities and other customer engagements
• Performs 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
• Empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• 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
• 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