Director of Congressional Affairs

Umbra • Arlington, VA

6d • $225,000 - $275,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Umbra is seeking a Director of Congressional Affairs to serve as the company's principal representative to the United States Congress. This role is crucial for shaping the laws, budgets, and policies that govern the nation's use of space. The Director will communicate Umbra's critical capabilities for U.S. national security, intelligence, and science missions, as well as commercial applications, to Capitol Hill. The goal is to redefine how Congress understands and invests in U.S. commercial space, highlighting the role these capabilities play in national security, information, and scientific competitiveness, with Umbra's three business units at the forefront. The ideal candidate will have experience working at the highest levels of government, such as on a defense, intelligence, or commerce committee, or as a senior policy advisor. They will possess a deep understanding of legislative processes, including the NDAA, IAA, and appropriations bills, and how funding is secured. This role requires strong commercial instincts and a belief in Umbra's mission, leveraging their network to identify new program opportunities and collaborate with the business development team. The Director will work closely with the Director of Public Policy and report to the Vice President of Communications, as part of the Communications organization which includes government relations, marketing, and communications. This position is based on-site in Arlington, VA.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• 12+ years of combined congressional, executive branch, and/or industry government affairs experience.
• Senior Capitol Hill service in at least one of the following: counsel or professional staff on a defense, intelligence, armed services, or commerce committee; or senior defense/national security policy advisor in a Member's personal office, directly briefing and staffing the Member.
• Demonstrated legislative craftsmanship: hands-on experience drafting statutory language, report language, and amendments, and navigating markup, conference, and floor processes for the NDAA, IAA, or appropriations bills.
• Proven experience helping move defense, intelligence, or space capabilities into Programs of Record, with specific funding lines, legislative language, or programs the candidate helped create and sustain.
• Established, current, direct relationships with Members of Congress and professional staff on the defense, intelligence, appropriations, and/or space-related committees.
• Demonstrated ability to identify new opportunities through congressional and agency channels and translate them into results for a company or program office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical and budgetary issues for Members, staff, and executives alike.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree such as a JD, MPP, MPA, or comparable.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance, or the eligibility to obtain one.
• Self-starter able to build and run a function independently, set strategy, and work effectively without close supervision.
• Executive branch experience in a Senate-confirmed, appointed, or senior career role (OSD, service legislative liaison, NRO/NGA, NTIA, FCC, OMB, or White House).
• Experience representing a high-growth space, defense tech, or telecommunications company, or a relevant trade association.
• Experience planning or leading congressional staff delegations (STAFFDELs/CODELs), site visits, and Member-level engagements with operational commands and programs.
• Familiarity with export control regimes (ITAR/EAR) as they affect commercial space.
• Passion for space, technology, and national security, which drives a deeper understanding of Umbra's mission and audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Umbra's primary interface with Congress, with emphasis on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, the Intelligence Committees, and the commerce and space-focused authorizing committees.
• Lead efforts to transition Umbra capabilities from congressional adds, pilots, and demonstrations into enduring programs within the national security space, including drafting and shaping statutory language, report language, and funding lines, and supporting them through markup, conference, and execution.
• Build and maintain deep, direct, trusted relationships with Members of Congress and staff, including principals on the defense, intelligence, and appropriations committees and relevant state and district delegations.
• Identify new program opportunities, emerging funding lines, and customer requirements early through Hill, committee, and agency networks, and partner with Umbra's business development team to pursue them.
• Design and execute a proactive legislative strategy to advance Umbra's priorities in the NDAA, IAA, defense and intelligence appropriations, and commercial space, spectrum, and remote sensing policy.
• Partner with the Director of Public Policy to align legislative strategy with Umbra's broader policy agenda.
• Support engagement with the executive branch on issues that intersect with Umbra's legislative agenda across DoD, the IC, and civil space stakeholders.
• Prepare and staff Umbra executives for Hill engagements, testimony, briefings, staff delegations, site visits, and classified or controlled discussions as appropriate.
• Monitor, analyze, and translate legislative, budgetary, and political developments into clear, actionable insight for Umbra leadership.
• Manage outside consultants, lobbying firms, and compliance obligations (LDA filings and related requirements).

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
• Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded)
• 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
• Stock Options
• Free Parking
• Free lunch daily in office

What This Job Offers

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