Vice President U.S. Government Affairs

Core Power•Washington, DC

About The Position

The VP U.S. Government Affairs leads CORE POWER’s U.S. government engagement strategy—owning relationships at the federal level and in priority states—to advance policy, regulatory, and funding outcomes that enable deployment of advanced nuclear technologies in the maritime sector. This role serves as the senior U.S. government-facing leader, aligns advocacy with company strategy, and manages a small team plus external advisors to build durable coalitions across national security, maritime, and energy stakeholders. This role sets and executes an integrated U.S. government affairs plan spanning federal advocacy, priority-state engagement, coalition-building, and strategic partnerships—ensuring CORE POWER is positioned with decision-makers shaping nuclear, maritime, defense, and industrial policy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in political science, international affairs, public policy, engineering, law, or a related field required.
Extensive (typically 8+ years) leadership experience in U.S. government affairs, including leading public policy, regulatory advocacy, and/or national security–focused engagement, with a demonstrated track record engaging senior leaders across the Executive Branch, Congress, and federal agencies.
Experience leading issue advocacy campaigns, including designing and leading teams and coalitions, and executing strategies that drive engagement and action.
Experience managing external lobbyists/contractors and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives across government and industry.
Knowledge of U.S. and relevant international nuclear/energy and maritime standards and legislation; ability to explain technical and operational realities clearly to non-specialist stakeholders.
Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills; excellent written and verbal communication for briefs, position statements, and policy/legislative proposals.
Strong critical thinking, active listening, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
Executive presence and credibility with senior government and industry stakeholders.
Politically astute, with strong judgement and discretion in complex environments.
Strategic, systems-level thinker who turns signals into clear priorities and action.
Outcome-driven and accountable; owns delivery from strategy through execution.
Calm and decisive under pressure; comfortable operating with ambiguity.
Strong people leader—sets direction, develops talent, and drives performance.
Collaborative and influential across functions; aligns teams and builds coalitions.
Resilient and persistent; maintains momentum in long-cycle, high-scrutiny settings.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (e.g., MPP, MPA, JD, MS or MBA) preferred.
Strong preference for experience in or around energy, nuclear, maritime, defense, or adjacent regulated/industrial sectors.

Responsibilities

Lead CORE POWER’s federal engagement strategy, including congressional outreach, committee engagement, and support for legislative/funding activity that advances CORE POWER priorities.
Build and maintain senior relationships across the Executive Branch and priority agencies (including, as relevant, DOE, DOC, State, U.S. Coast Guard, DoD, Department of the Navy, and DHS) and associated policy community stakeholders.
Establish and lead a priority-state engagement program (governors’ offices, legislatures, regulators, and economic development stakeholders), coordinating with federal efforts to accelerate enabling policy and partnerships.
Direct and coordinate U.S. government relations campaigns, including advocacy strategies to engage policymakers and regulators on key nuclear and maritime policy and regulatory issues.
Provide forward-looking analysis of legislative, regulatory, geopolitical, and economic developments; translate trends into actionable risks/opportunities and clear recommendations for leadership.
Represent CORE POWER at hearings, briefings, government meetings, and industry events; communicate company positions clearly and credibly to political leaders and senior stakeholders.
Build and manage coalitions with industry associations, think tanks, academia, and NGOs to strengthen CORE POWER’s profile and advance shared policy goals.
Identify and pursue public-private partnership and government support opportunities (including relevant federal programs and aligned state initiatives) that support market and product development.
Lead and develop the U.S. government affairs function, including management of direct reports and oversight of external lobbyists/consultants as needed.
Ensure ethical, professional, and compliant engagement with political and appointed authorities in line with CORE POWER’s mission.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required.