Director, Government & Public Affairs

Defense Maritime Solutions Inc• US,

1d•$140,000 - $195,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Government & Public Affairs leads DMS's federal government affairs, external communications, marketing, and internal communications in support of company strategy, growth, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. Based in the Washington, DC area, the Director serves as DMS's senior day-to-day representative to congressional offices and committees, executive branch and federal agency stakeholders, and other public-sector partners. The position manages DMS's third-party government relations and lobbying services provider and directly supervises the Marketing Team. Reporting to the President and serving on the DMS Leadership Team, the Director provides senior-level guidance on government, policy, reputation, communications, and stakeholder matters. The role coordinates with the DMS Board of Directors and Wartsila stakeholders while maintaining DMS governance and compliance requirements. It requires regular in-person engagement with federal stakeholders and travel to DMS locations, customer sites, industry events, and other meetings as business needs require.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Communications, Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or a similar discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in federal government affairs, public affairs, government service, strategic communications, or a closely related field, including senior responsibility for external stakeholder engagement.
Extensive knowledge of the federal legislative, authorization, appropriations, budget, policy, acquisition, and procurement environment.
Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with congressional and federal agency stakeholders and effectively direct external government relations or lobbying consultants.
Demonstrated experience overseeing integrated corporate communications, marketing, media/public relations, trade shows and events, and internal communications.
Strong executive writing and presentation skills.
Executive communication skills: ability to communicate complex business, policy, and technical topics clearly and persuasively, verbally and in writing, for senior leaders, government officials, media, customers, and employees.
Relationship-building and influence skills, including developing trusted relationships, understanding stakeholder interests, creating alignment, and advancing priorities through credible engagement and follow-through.
Strategic and critical thinking skills, including connecting federal, market, communications, and business developments to company strategy; evaluating options, risks, and opportunities; and recommending practical actions.
Dependability, integrity, discretion, adaptability, innovation, independence, and sound judgment, including careful handling of sensitive information and proactive execution with limited supervision.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodations as applicable. Physical demands may include occasionally standing, walking, sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching; climbing stairs; balancing; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; talking or hearing; tasting or smelling; and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Position is based in the Washington, DC area and requires regular in-person engagement with federal stakeholders and travel to DMS locations, customer sites, industry events, and other meetings as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level degree in public policy, government, business, communications, law, or a similar discipline.
Experience in the defense, maritime, shipbuilding, or industrial-base sectors.
Experience working with U.S. Government contractors and relevant lobbying, ethics, export-control, security/FOCI, and information-handling requirements.
Knowledge of DMS/Wartsila products and markets.

Responsibilities

Promote the DMS Enthusiast culture, collaborate respectfully with company leaders, and hold Marketing Team members accountable to the company-wide standard for interpersonal relationships.
Develop and execute DMS's government and public affairs strategy, annual goals, priorities, budget, and performance measures in alignment with company strategy, Leadership Team direction, and shareholder expectations.
Lead federal government relations and advocacy activities and build and maintain relationships with congressional offices and committees, executive branch and federal agency stakeholders, and other government influencers.
Provide strategic guidance to the Marketing Team in its delegated support of state and local community engagement activities.
With the Director, Business Development, monitor and assess federal authorization, appropriations, legislative, policy, acquisition, procurement, and industrial-base developments; translate relevant developments into recommendations and actions for the President and Leadership Team.
Manage the third-party government relations and lobbying services provider, including setting scope and priorities, coordinating work, tracking actions, managing performance, reviewing invoices, and aligning services with leadership objectives.
Plan and coordinate government and executive stakeholder engagements, including meetings, briefings, site visits, industry events, and outreach campaigns; prepare supporting materials such as briefings, talking points, letters, and presentations.
Partner with Business Development, Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and other functions to coordinate government engagement around business priorities while protecting controlled, proprietary, export-controlled, and customer information.
Oversee and guide the Marketing Team's external communications and corporate messaging, including press releases, media engagement, website and social media content, brand standards, marketing collateral, executive presentations, and company announcements.
Oversee and guide the Marketing Team's work on trade shows, conferences, industry associations, customer and VIP visits, product or company events, and employee engagement activities; delegate routine logistics and execution where appropriate.
Lead internal communications with the Marketing Team, President, and Leadership Team, including Town Halls, mass employee communications, leadership messaging, strategic change communications, and other company-wide information needs.
Directly supervise, develop, and prioritize the Marketing Team's work and manage external communications, marketing, event, and public-affairs vendors as required.
Develop and manage the function's operating budget, including government relations retainers, marketing and communications spending, memberships, events, and other external services; ensure appropriate financial controls and value for DMS.
Coordinate with Wartsila corporate communications, government affairs, legal, and other affiliate stakeholders while maintaining DMS governance, Special Security Agreement/FOCI, export-control, information-security, lobbying, ethics, and reporting requirements.
Represent DMS with federal government, industry, and external stakeholders; maintain credible relationships and advance approved company priorities.
Set priorities for the Marketing Coordinator, outside government relations firm, vendors, and cross-functional contributors, ensuring accountability and effective communication.
Gather and synthesize federal, market, customer, media, and industry information; identify implications and recommended actions for DMS decision-making.
Develop concise, accurate, audience-appropriate executive and public communications, including messages, briefings, presentations, correspondence, press materials, and internal communications.
Organize and prioritize government affairs, communications, marketing, and event activities across concurrent priorities.
Analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and select practical solutions in time-sensitive, high-visibility situations involving company reputation and external stakeholders.