Director, Government Relations

sesengin • Reston, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

In this role, you’ll lead SES Space & Defense’s government affairs and public policy strategy, advancing the company’s interests on Capitol Hill, within the Executive Branch, and across the national security space community. Reporting to the SVP of Product & Innovation, Strategy & Government Relations, this position serves as the company’s primary advocate on legislative, budgetary, and regulatory matters affecting our space and defense business, with a focus on protected and resilient SATCOM, multi-orbit architectures, and U.S. Government space programs. You’ll partner closely with Business Development, Product & Innovation, Engineering, and Legal to shape policy outcomes that expand SES Space & Defense’s pipeline and protect mission-critical programs supporting DoD, the Intelligence Community, and allied governments.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or legislative roles focused on national security space, defense, or commercial SATCOM, backed by strong relationships across Capitol Hill, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community, and an active or recent Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Proven track record of advancing legislative and budgetary priorities through the NDAA and appropriations process, shaping committee inputs, and translating complex programmatic and technical issues into clear policy positions for senior officials.
• Deep familiarity with U.S. national security space architecture, MILSATCOM programs, multi-orbit (GEO/MEO/LEO) commercial integration, and the regulatory environment governing foreign-parent ownership of U.S. defense businesses (Proxy Agreements, ITAR, CFIUS).
• Ability to communicate with credibility before Members of Congress, senior Executive Branch officials, and industry coalitions, and exercise sound judgment in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.
• Ability to operate effectively in a global company with a U.S. defense subsidiary structure.
• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, or a related advocacy role focused on national security, defense, or commercial space.
• U.S. citizenship required; currently possess and able to maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the congressional authorization and appropriations process, key defense and intelligence committee jurisdictions, and the DoD/IC acquisition process.
• Working knowledge of policy issues affecting commercial and military satellite communications, U.S. national security space programs (MILSATCOM, protected SATCOM, Space Data Network), and resilient multi-orbit architectures (GEO/MEO/LEO).
• Established relationships with key stakeholders within DoD, the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Command, and the Intelligence Community.
• Demonstrated ability to represent a company effectively before Members of Congress, senior Executive Branch officials, and industry coalitions, with a track record of credibility and sound judgment.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare executive-level briefings, position papers, and congressional correspondence under tight timelines.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in public policy, law, national security studies, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks governing foreign-parent ownership of U.S. defense businesses, including Proxy Agreements, ITAR, EAR, and CFIUS, is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working for a Member of Congress on a relevant committee (Armed Services, Intelligence, Appropriations) or within the Executive Branch in a budgeting, acquisition, or policy role is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent SES Space & Defense before Members of Congress, congressional staff, and senior Executive Branch officials on legislative, budgetary, and policy matters affecting the company’s space and defense business.
• Develop and execute Hill and Executive Branch advocacy strategies to influence budget allocations, authorization language, and acquisition policy for U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Command, the Intelligence Community, NASA, and other DoD customers of SES Space & Defense.
• Identify and assess emerging public policy, regulatory, and legislative developments — including those affecting commercial SATCOM integration, multi-orbit architectures (GEO/MEO/LEO), spectrum policy, and protected tactical communications — and develop SES Space & Defense’s positions and response strategies.
• Partner with Business Development and Capture teams to clear policy, legislative, and budgetary hurdles for specific pursuits, programs, and contract opportunities supporting U.S. Government end-users.
• Build and maintain relationships with key government officials, congressional offices, defense and intelligence committees, industry associations (e.g., SIA, NDIA, AFCEA), and coalition partners to advance the company’s policy priorities.
• Coordinate closely with Legal, Security, and Compliance teams on matters relating to the SES Space & Defense Proxy Agreement, ITAR, CFIUS, and other regulatory frameworks affecting foreign-parent ownership of a U.S. defense business.
• Prepare executive leadership for engagements with senior government officials, including drafting briefing materials, talking points, position papers, congressional correspondence, and testimony.
• Create speaking opportunities, participate in industry forums, and represent SES Space & Defense at government, industry association, and coalition meetings on national security space and defense communications matters.
• Track and analyze the congressional defense and intelligence authorization and appropriations cycles, identify opportunities to shape committee inputs, and provide timely intelligence to leadership on relevant marks, amendments, and conference outcomes.
• Coordinate with the SES S.A. parent company government affairs function on matters of mutual interest while preserving the integrity of the Proxy Agreement and the independence of the U.S. business.

Benefits

• SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director