VP, Washington Operations

Divergent • Torrance, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Divergent Technologies is seeking a Vice President, Washington Operations to lead the strategic development of its newly formed Washington, DC / Northern Virginia office. Working at the intersection of business and government, this executive serves as Divergent’s primary liaison to the Department of War and other Executive Branch agencies, leading strategic engagements to advance the company’s interests and identify, shape, and support business development and other strategic opportunities.

The role represents Divergent in the Washington defense and aerospace community and helps establish the office’s strategy, operating model, staffing plan, budget, and performance metrics. The Vice President builds relationships with senior government stakeholders and industry organizations, contributes to business development and capture efforts, monitors policy and budget developments, and advises executive leadership on related risks and opportunities. The position also helps establish protocols to ensure government engagement complies with applicable laws and regulations. It is not a registered lobbyist role and operates below Lobbying Disclosure Act registration thresholds.

The position is based in Washington, DC / Northern Virginia, with regular travel to Divergent facilities in California and to customer sites. The listed salary range is $282,220–$317,490, with equity and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities. Benefits include paid vacation, sick time, company holidays and a year-end shutdown, paid parental leave, health and wellness benefits, company-sponsored life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and reimbursement for learning and development.

Requirements

• Current DoD security clearance, or ability to obtain and retain clearance within 365 days from submission.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 15 or more years of progressive experience in defense, aerospace, or national security business development, government relations, or senior government service.
• Demonstrated record of leading strategic engagements with the Department of War, Military Departments, or other Executive Branch agencies.
• Proven experience identifying and shaping opportunities and contributing to major captures and awards.
• Deep understanding of the defense acquisition process, federal budget cycle, and defense industrial base.
• Established network of senior relationships within the Washington national security community.
• Experience building or leading teams; experience establishing a new office or function is preferred within this criterion.
• Exceptional executive presence, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced communication skills, strategic thinking and opportunity shaping, relationship building and influence, entrepreneurial leadership, integrity, judgment, discretion, cross-functional collaboration, and results orientation.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Experience with government contracting, advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, or emerging defense technology companies.
• Familiarity with nontraditional acquisition pathways, including Other Transaction Authorities, SBIR/STTR, and rapid acquisition programs.
• Prior senior service in the Department, a Military Department, or a congressional or White House national security role.
• Experience supporting a growth-stage or venture-backed company.

Responsibilities

• Represent Divergent as a senior presence in the Washington defense and aerospace community and help shape business development and strategic opportunities.
• Assist in establishing and leading the Washington, DC / Northern Virginia office, including its strategy, operating model, staffing plan, budget, and performance metrics.
• Assist with recruiting, developing, and leading a team of government relations, policy, and business development professionals.
• Serve as the principal point of contact with the Department of War, Military Departments, defense agencies, and other Executive Branch agencies, and connect those stakeholders with congressional defense committee staff and relevant industry and policy organizations.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior acquisition, requirements, technology, and industrial base leaders and decision makers.
• Lead strategic engagements to position Divergent as a preferred partner for advanced manufacturing and defense industrial base priorities.
• Engage with the White House, the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Branch stakeholders, industry partners, think tanks, and trade associations as appropriate.
• Assist in identifying, shaping, and qualifying business opportunities before formal solicitation.
• Partner with the Chief Commercial Officer and Capture, Proposal, and Business Development teams to develop capture strategies and win themes.
• Provide customer insight, competitive intelligence, and budget and requirements analysis to inform pursuit decisions.
• Support teaming and partnership strategies with prime contractors, nontraditional defense firms, and other industry partners.
• Contribute to bookings and revenue growth targets through disciplined pipeline development.
• Monitor and interpret defense policy, budget formulation, acquisition reform, appropriations, and authorization activity affecting Divergent’s markets.
• Advise executive leadership on policy and regulatory developments, risks, and opportunities.
• Support the Chief Commercial Officer’s registered legislative engagement and that of outside advisors or a future legislative affairs hire with technical, budget, and requirements information supporting Divergent’s positions.
• Ensure government engagement complies with applicable laws and regulations, including lobbying disclosure, gift and ethics rules, procurement integrity, and export control requirements.
• Establish internal protocols for Washington-based activity and customer contact.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities.
• Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown.
• Paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including HMO and Premium PPO options.
• Company-sponsored life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives.

What This Job Offers

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