Federal Defense Lead, Government Relations

Parsons Corporation•Washington, DC

About The Position

This position is part of the Parsons Government Relations team and is responsible for direct legislative and executive branch advocacy for the Parsons defense business. Specifically, this position will create and execute federal lobbying efforts that advance our policy positions and achieve favorable outcomes with a focus on views and expectations with respect to federal budget submissions, congressional appropriations and authorization bills, and all business-related legislation consistent with established business priorities, values, and metrics. This position will support the Parsons Defense and Intelligence business unit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree plus 12-15 years professional experience
Working knowledge of legislative and executive branch processes, U.S. Government budget, defense authorization and appropriations cycles, and the cultures and key players in each institution.
Experience working defense and security issues, and preferably defense appropriations issues, in the U.S. Congress and/or Department of Defense.
Experience working with or for government customers, decision makers and senior officials in the legislative and executive branches of federal government, with a specific focus on defense matters, or other relevant professional or educational experience.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (including presentation and influence).
Demonstrated success working in a team environment.
Demonstrated ability to make effective presentations and communicate persuasively in a way that can confidently and positively shape the views and expectations of Members of Congress, Professional Staff Members, Senior Executive Branch officials, and corporate executives.
Experience managing multiple constituents internal and external – and customers in a way that keeps them fully informed of past progress, ongoing activities, and next steps.
Self-starter with a bias for action who is able to manage time and multi-task effectively in a pro-active and innovative way.
U.S. defense programs expertise.
Ability to obtain Top Secret-level security clearance
An active Secret security clearance is required for this position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree.
Current Secret-level or higher security clearance
Previous leadership, management, and business development experience.
Substantial experience with/within the defense community, including knowledge of a wide range of defense, security, or acquisition issues and stakeholders.
Previous employment on Capitol Hill with the House or Senate Defense Appropriations committees or Armed Services committees.

Responsibilities

Leverage your pre-existing network and the U.S. Government Relations team’s influencer network to advocate for positions on critical issues such as a strong national defense, intelligence, and space awareness.
Represent Parsons in general before Members of Congress and their staffs on Capitol Hill, and in their home states and districts.
Strengthen relationships with key Members, Staff, and Committees on Capitol Hill, especially those responsible for appropriations, intelligence, and defense matters, in a way that advances Parsons’ priorities, programs, and brand.
Advance the legislative priorities and needs of Parsons on Capitol Hill consistent with established goals and metrics.
Communicate effectively and continually with business leadership regarding ongoing Hill efforts, upcoming events, status of priorities—including appropriations and legislative language requests—and other information which affects the company’s goals.
Engage directly and frequently with the business development and operational leaders to determine where Congress could be leveraged to advance their programs. Take action to drive legislative initiatives into the portfolio.
Maximize the use and effectiveness of Parsons suppliers, industry groups, and trade associations, as well as outside consultants, advisers, and experts, to advance Parsons goals, priorities, and strategies.
Provide intelligence and conduct analyses of executive branch and legislative initiatives and policy proposals with a focus on broad budgetary trends and company operations, strategic planning and interactions with the government.
Attend congressional hearings, conferences, meetings, and special events as necessary to advance Parsons goals and provide valued service to customers.
Monitor congressional activities in defense, security, and intelligence and take action to ensure company interests are protected.
Plan and support visits by company leaders to Capitol Hill and by Members/staff to Parsons facilities for educational and/or constituent support purposes.