Director of Congressional Affairs

Umbra • Arlington, VA

5d • 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 translating Umbra's advanced space technology capabilities into legislative and budgetary support. The Director will educate policymakers on the value of Umbra's contributions to national security, intelligence, science, and commercial applications. The goal is to redefine how Congress understands and invests in U.S. commercial space, building enduring support for these capabilities. The ideal candidate will have experience at the highest levels of government, with a deep understanding of legislative processes, particularly concerning defense, space, and national security matters. They will leverage legislative expertise and commercial instincts to identify and pursue new program opportunities, working closely with the business development team. This role reports to the Vice President of Communications and 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, focusing on key committees such as the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, Defense Appropriations Subcommittees, Intelligence Committees, and commerce/space-focused authorizing committees.
• Lead efforts to transition Umbra capabilities into enduring programs within the national security space, including shaping statutory and report language, securing funding lines, and supporting these through the legislative process.
• Build and maintain deep, direct, trusted relationships with Members of Congress and staff.
• Identify new program opportunities, emerging funding lines, and customer requirements through Hill, committee, and agency networks, and partner with the business development team to pursue them.
• Design and execute a proactive legislative strategy to advance Umbra's priorities in key legislation like the NDAA, IAA, defense and intelligence appropriations, and commercial space policy.
• Partner with the Director of Public Policy to align legislative strategy with the broader policy agenda.
• Support engagement with the executive branch on issues intersecting with Umbra's legislative agenda.
• Prepare and staff Umbra executives for congressional engagements, including testimony, briefings, and site visits.
• Monitor, analyze, and translate legislative, budgetary, and political developments into actionable insights for Umbra leadership.
• Manage outside consultants, lobbying firms, and compliance obligations.

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