Capitol Hill NATO Policy Liaison (Secret Clearance Required)

ironcladdefenseworks; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ironclad Defense Works in Washington, D.C. seeks a U.S. Congressional Liaison Officer to support NATO ACT on Capitol Hill, monitoring U.S.

legislative developments and building relationships with Members of Congress and congressional staff. The role requires a professional who can synthesize defense policy and international security issues into actionable advice. The candidate must understand the congressional authorization and appropriations process, engage senior policymakers, and coordinate

Qualifications

• At least two years of experience working with or within the U.S. Congress, particularly on defense, appropriations, or foreign-policy issues.
• Demonstrated success in a government-relations role, including management of a legislative portfolio and navigation of the congressional process.
• Strong knowledge of the U.S. congressional authorization and appropriations cycles.
• Strong expertise in defense policy, international security, and political-military affairs.
• Ability to monitor and interpret complex political, legislative, and budgetary developments and convert them into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with elected officials, policymakers, congressional staff, federal officials, and senior leaders.
• Experience representing organizational policy positions to Congress, the Executive Branch, think tanks, or comparable external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and execute short- and long-term engagement plans supporting organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional relationships across congressional and federal agencies.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment while contributing effectively within a broader team.
• U.S. citizenship and English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze the U.S. defense budget process and identify implications for NATO.
• Track congressional defense reforms and assess their potential impact on NATO transformation.
• Monitor congressional debates and decisions concerning Ukraine and broader Euro-Atlantic security.
• Analyze issues related to U.S. force posture in Europe and burden-sharing.
• Assess political dynamics surrounding defense legislation, including key congressional influencers, priorities, and agendas.
• Monitor hearings, committee activity, legislation, and other congressional developments relevant to NATO.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with Members of Congress and congressional staff.
• Provide tailored briefings on NATO ACT priorities to legislators, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Plan and conduct informal congressional engagements, meetings, and other relationship-building activities.
• Coordinate messaging and engagement with U.S. executive agencies, NATO missions, Allied embassies, and other stakeholders.
• Produce regular reports for SACT and the Political Advisor on congressional trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support ACT delegations, SACT visits, Flag Officer engagements, and congressional interactions.
• Support NATO engagement with Washington-area think tanks, academia, and policy communities.
• Facilitate ACT participation in hearings, conferences, policy events, and professional networks.
• Support NATO political-military engagement as directed by the POLAD.

Skills

Congressional affairs

Government relations

Defense policy

International security

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Education

Master's degree or higher in Political Science / International Relations / Economics / Law

Undergraduate degree with substantial congressional staff experience

Job description

Ironclad Defense Works in Washington, D.C. seeks a U.S. Congressional Liaison Officer to support NATO ACT on Capitol Hill, monitoring U.S.

legislative developments and building relationships with Members of Congress and congressional staff. The role requires a professional who can synthesize defense policy and international security issues into actionable advice. The candidate must understand the congressional authorization and appropriations process, engage senior policymakers, and coordinate