Washington Operations Director

AeroVironment • Arlington, VA

1d

About The Position

The Washington Operations Director will provide support to the Government Affairs organization for matters that relate to Federal Government policies and funding, Actions include researching and analyzing legislation and regulations to help AeroVironment influence the Federal resource allocation process. Coordinate customer advocacy and lobby actions. Engage with legislators and staff implementing policy and authorizing and appropriating federal funds. The Washington Operations Director is the lead information source for congressional activities, providing guidance and recommendations to AeroVironment senior leaders. Duties Coordinates and supports AeroVironment’s U.S. Government and International customer interaction in Washington D.C. Monitors and assures AeroVironment awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests Provides annual U.S. Government Program and Budget Justification documents to AeroVironment leadership and Business Development team Monitors and provides AeroVironment with Congressional Mark Up results of annual U.S. Government Budget Requests; assures U.S. Government-funded AeroVironment programs are fully funded by the congress Analyzes pending and/or proposed legislation/regulations (including amendments) by identifying and tracking proposals and routing information to AeroVironment subject matter experts for review Coordinates and supports AeroVironment leadership visits to Washington DC Manages AeroVironment Political Action Committee to assure compliance Maintains and cultivates personal relationships with congressional staff Maintains network to communicate with internal and external stakeholders and entities (e.g., government organizations, customers, coalitions, business associations) Coordinates visits by elected officials and staff to AeroVironment Represents company at selected events Drafts reports and documentation (e.g., employee labor reports, expense reports, local/state/Federal reporting requirements) Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum 8 - 12 years’ relevant experience
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Experience working with and partnering with cross-functional teams on projects and initiatives
• Basic knowledge of aerial loitering munitions, small and medium UAS, and UGV preferred
• Advanced degree preferred
• Experience interacting with senior business leaders and government customers
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Congressional, Regulatory or Administration office
• Experience working on grassroots advocacy programs on behalf of industry or specific programs and/or legislation
• Experience working within a fast-paced team environment, which required strong communication skills to frequently interact with leadership or internal and external customer representatives
• Demonstrates strong verbal, writing, and computer skills
• Exhibits high level of organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Possesses strong decision-making skills and attention to detail
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives; delivers message to Garcia (“A Message to Garcia,” Elbert Hubbard’s essay on initiative, first publication 1899)
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
• Clearance Level Secret
• ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of aerial loitering munitions, small and medium UAS, and UGV preferred
• Advanced degree preferred
• Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and supports AeroVironment’s U.S. Government and International customer interaction in Washington D.C.
• Monitors and assures AeroVironment awareness of annual U.S. Government funding requests and Department of Defense reprogramming requests
• Provides annual U.S. Government Program and Budget Justification documents to AeroVironment leadership and Business Development team
• Monitors and provides AeroVironment with Congressional Mark Up results of annual U.S. Government Budget Requests; assures U.S. Government-funded AeroVironment programs are fully funded by the congress
• Analyzes pending and/or proposed legislation/regulations (including amendments) by identifying and tracking proposals and routing information to AeroVironment subject matter experts for review
• Coordinates and supports AeroVironment leadership visits to Washington DC
• Manages AeroVironment Political Action Committee to assure compliance
• Maintains and cultivates personal relationships with congressional staff
• Maintains network to communicate with internal and external stakeholders and entities (e.g., government organizations, customers, coalitions, business associations)
• Coordinates visits by elected officials and staff to AeroVironment
• Represents company at selected events
• Drafts reports and documentation (e.g., employee labor reports, expense reports, local/state/Federal reporting requirements)
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

What This Job Offers

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