Director, Government Relations

Rocketdyne; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 220,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocketdyne in Washington, DC seeks a Director of Government Relations to shape federal policies, priorities, and investments that support our growth and mission. You will connect Rocketdyne’s national security, space, and exploration programs with Congress, the Department of Defense, U.S.

Space Force, NASA, and other federal agencies. The role requires independent development and execution of government relations strategies, building trusted relationships with senior policymakers, anticipating

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in government relations, congressional or legislative affairs, or related field.
• Experience engaging with Congress, committees, federal agencies and senior government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of authorization, appropriations and federal budgeting processes.
• Ability to translate policy developments into business implications for leadership.
• Experience advising senior executives for engagements with policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute federal government relations strategies aligned with Rocketdyne's objectives and programs.
• Build and leverage relationships with Members of Congress, staff, and federal agencies.
• Represent Rocketdyne to policymakers, advocating priorities for programs and industry.
• Lead engagement strategies related to authorization, appropriations, and legislative priorities.
• Identify opportunities or risks in policy and funding affecting Rocketdyne.

Skills

Government relations

Policy advocacy

Congressional engagement

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent work

Public policy

Aerospace policy

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director, Government Relations

Full Time Regular US

Salary Range: $220,000.00 To $260,000.00 Annually

Moving Space Forward

Rocketdyne is back — and we're just getting started.

We are unleashing decades of unrivaled flight heritage to power the most critical missions in space today, from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to an MMRTG journeying to Saturn's largest moon. National security space is shifting to proliferated constellations, creating compounding demand for exactly what we build.

If you want to do the most important work of your career at a company where One, Trust, and Bold are a way of life, Rocketdyne is your place.

The Role

Rocketdyne’s Government Relations Director will shape federal policies, priorities, and investments that support the company’s growth and mission. The role connects Rocketdyne’s national security, space, and exploration programs with decision-makers across Congress, the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, NASA, and other federal agencies.

The Director will independently develop and execute government relations strategies while building trusted relationships with senior policymakers. They will anticipate legislative, budgetary, and policy developments, identify potential opportunities and risks, and translate insights into coordinated action. Working across Business Development, Strategy, Communications, program leadership, and senior executives, the director will align government engagement with critical programs and long-term growth objectives. The ideal candidate has strong Washington relationships, sound political judgment, and deep expertise in federal authorization, appropriations, and budgeting.

Why This Role Matters

• Rocketdyne is operating at a defining point in both our company's history and the evolution of the space and national security landscape.
• Federal policy, budgets, and acquisition priorities will play a critical role in determining how the aerospace and defense markets evolve — and where Rocketdyne can make the greatest impact. As an independent company, we need a clear voice in Washington and a government relations strategy directly connected to our programs, pursuits and long-term growth.
• This is an opportunity to be Bold — anticipating change and advocating for the priorities that will shape Rocketdyne's future; to build Trust — serving as a credible partner to policymakers, government leaders and senior executives; and to operate as One — connecting Business Development, Strategy, Communications, program leadership and the broader enterprise behind a coordinated approach to federal engagement.

Success in this role looks like:

• Rocketdyne has clear, coordinated federal government relations priorities aligned with its business objectives, key programs and growth strategy
• Congressional authorization and appropriations strategies support Rocketdyne's most important programs and pursuits
• Leadership understands how legislative, budgetary, and policy developments may affect the business — and what Rocketdyne should do about them
• Trusted relationships across Congress, federal agencies and the Administration strengthen Rocketdyne's visibility, credibility and influence
• Emerging policy, funding and stakeholder opportunities or risks are identified early enough for Rocketdyne to act
• Business Development, Strategy, Communications and program leadership operate from a shared government engagement strategy
• Senior leaders are prepared to engage policymakers and government officials with clear, consistent and compelling messages

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute federal government relations strategies aligned with Rocketdyne's business objectives, growth priorities, key programs and strategic initiatives
• Build, maintain and leverage relationships with Members of Congress, Congressional staff and committees, federal agencies, Administration officials and other influential government stakeholders
• Serve as a senior external representative for Rocketdyne, advocating for company, program and industry priorities with policymakers and government leaders
• Develop and lead Congressional engagement strategies related to authorization, appropriations and other legislative priorities
• Identify opportunities to shape federal policy and funding outcomes in support of Rocketdyne's strategic objectives
• Anticipate, monitor and assess legislative, budgetary, regulatory and policy developments affecting Rocketdyne and the broader aerospace, defense and space markets
• Translate government developments into clear business implications, strategic recommendations and engagement plans for senior leadership
• Develop engagement strategies across the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, NASA and other relevant federal agencies based on Rocketdyne's business and program priorities
• Partner with Business Development, Strategy, Communications and program leadership to support critical pursuits, existing programs, market development and long-term growth
• Advise and prepare senior executives for engagements with Members of Congress, Administration officials, agency leaders and other senior government stakeholders
• Develop executive briefing materials, talking points, position papers and strategic recommendations that enable effective external engagement
• Identify emerging policy, funding and stakeholder developments that may create opportunities or risks for Rocketdyne and proactively determine how the company should respond
• Build internal alignment around government relations priorities, bringing together business and functional stakeholders to establish clear positions and coordinated external messaging
• Plan and lead visits and engagements with elected officials, government leaders and other external stakeholders at Rocketdyne facilities
• Represent Rocketdyne with relevant industry associations, coalitions and external organizations, helping shape industry positions where appropriate
• Build and maintain an effective network across the aerospace, defense, national security and space communities to strengthen Rocketdyne's visibility and influence
• Ensure all government relations and lobbying activities comply with applicable lobbying, ethics, disclosure and company requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Progressive experience in government relations, Congressional or legislative affairs, federal public policy, aerospace and defense, national security or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing government relations or advocacy strategies with a high degree of independence.
• Experience engaging directly with Congress, Congressional committees, federal agencies and/or senior government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the Congressional authorization and appropriations processes, federal budgeting and the broader legislative and policy environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate policy and government developments into implications and recommendations for business leaders.
• Experience developing relationships and influencing stakeholders across complex organizations without direct authority.
• Demonstrated experience developing advocacy strategies tied directly to business, program, capture or growth objectives.
• Experience advising and preparing senior executives for engagements with policymakers and government leaders.
• Ability to navigate complex and evolving policy environments, exercise sound political judgment and determine when and how an organization should engage.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Business Development, Strategy, Communications, Program Leadership, Legal and Compliance.
• Strong executive presence and exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively represent the organization with senior internal and external audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the aerospace, defense, space or national security sectors, including an understanding of the intersection between government policy, federal funding and business priorities
• Established relationships across Congress, relevant Congressional committees, the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, NASA, the Administration and/or other federal organizations relevant to Rocketdyne
• Prior experience working on Capitol Hill, within the Executive Branch or at a federal agency, combined with subsequent government relations experience in industry
• Knowledge of U.S. national security, defense, space and aerospace policy and associated federal budget priorities