Director, Government Relations

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY:

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Vice President of Government Relations.Work location for this role is DC / Northern Virginia.The successful candidate is a proven leader focused on engagement with national and local legislative bodies and executive agencies, including: Congress, Department of Defense (DoD), the Intelligence Community (IC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and state governments and agencies. You will be responsible for leading legislative affairs and public policy advocacy at the federal and state levels. This position reports to the Chief Revenue Officer. If you are a self-motivated, driven team member with a passion for space and being part of a winning team that dominates space and in-space capabilities, then we want you to join us!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, develop and advocate the legislative priorities and public policies goals at the federal and state levels, including both appropriations and authorizations across civil, commercial, and national security space.
• Monitor and report to the executive team the legislative and budgetary environment and develop key strategies that are focused on winning business through a holistic government relations plan.
• Cultivate trusting and enduring relationships with federal, state, local, and foreign government officials and their staffs; specifically with the DoD, IC, FAA, NASA and the FCC.
• Lead bipartisan congressional advocacy efforts on behalf of Firefly at both the federal and state levels.
• Possess a strong interest in politics related to space policies with a focus on National Security Space and Civil Space.
• Prepare materials for Firefly executives, including remarks, briefing memos, presentations, and other materials related to government actions.
• Represent the company at political events, fundraisers, external meetings, and conferences as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelors Degree required; JD or equivalent experience a plus.
• 8+ years of U.S. federal government relations, congressional relations, and public policy experience, including:
• significant experience with authorization and/or appropriations committees, specifically with the House and Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees;
• expertise working with the DoD, IC and regulatory agencies for the space community; including satellite and launch vehicle government program offices;
• command of the acquisition lifecycle including defense policy, procurement and execution;
• and experience leading in complex and challenging environments to build trust and positive relationships.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills and ability to work with and direct a team of outside counsel and consultants on government affairs activities. Ability to get a Top-Secret clearance is required.
• Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• U.S. Citizen

Desired:

• Advanced degree or focused BS/BA in law or other equivalent field.
• 12+ years of U.S. federal government relations, congressional relations, and public policy experience
• Active Security Clearance (TS-SCI) is preferred.