Director, Government Relations

1568 Airbus Americas, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Híbrido; USD 180.000 - 240.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Airbus Americas, Inc. seeks a Director of Government Relations to execute a high-impact advocacy agenda across aerospace policy.

You will translate business objectives into policy arguments, secure program funding, and manage political risk as a front-line diplomat with government stakeholders. Responsibilities include developing positions on key issues, supporting appropriations/authorizations, and building a robust network of government contacts to advance Airbus’ strategic goals in the U.S.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Communications, or Engineering (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years in Government Relations with Capitol Hill or federal agency experience.
• Willingness to register as a lobbyist and travel up to 20%.

Responsabilidades

• Direct Advocacy and Representation: Develop positions on key issues and influence policy discussions.
• Support legislative business goals—appropriations and authorizations—for Airbus businesses.
• Build and maintain a network of government contacts to amplify Airbus’ voice.
• Collaborate across Airbus businesses to support new opportunities, especially defense and helicopter programs.
• Provide political intelligence and early warnings on risks and opportunities.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to set strategic policy objectives with the Senior Director.

Conocimientos

Strategic thinking

Diplomatic communication

Policy advocacy

Relationship building

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Communications, or Engineering

Descripción del empleo

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail].

Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (English) Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminación (Spanish)

Job Description

The Director of Government Relations is responsible for executing a high-impact advocacy agenda that protects and promotes Airbus’ interests across the aerospace industry. This role is a strategic liaison between the company and government stakeholders, requiring a sophisticated navigator who can translate complex business objectives into persuasive policy arguments. Whether securing program funding, shaping regulatory frameworks, or managing political risk, you will act as a front-line diplomat ensuring our operational excellence is matched by our legislative and advocacy influence.

Primary Responsibilities

• Direct Advocacy and Representation: Develop positions on key issues and leverage Airbus’ reputation to influence policy discussions.
• Support legislative business goals—specifically appropriations and authorizations—for all Airbus businesses.
• Build and maintain a robust network of contacts within the government and among key industry stakeholders to amplify our corporate voice.
• Strategic Collaboration: Work across all Airbus businesses to collaborate with business development teams to generate and support new opportunities, particularly for helicopter and defense programs.
• Political Intelligence: Provide real-time intelligence on political risks and opportunities, acting as an early-warning system to identify potential risks or opportunities for the business.
• Internal GR Support: Communicate with internal stakeholders to provide updates on business priorities, political developments, and PAC solicitations. Work with the Senior Director Government Relations to develop clear strategic policy objectives.

Qualified Experience and Training

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, or Engineering; Advanced degree (Master’s Degree or J.D. preferred)

Experience: 10+ years of experience in Government Relations. Experience working on Capitol Hill (Member or Committee level) and/or a senior role within a federal agency or military service is required. Demonstrated track record of success in developing and executing strategies and campaigns in support of corporate objectives; a broad range of personal experience, relationships and understanding of the U.S. Federal, state and local government leaders, policies, procedures and processes; and an in-depth understanding of the global and U.S. aerospace industries.

Licensure/Certifications: Required: Must be able and willing to register with the US Government as a lobbyist.

Travel Required: 20% Domestic and International

Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is required. Must be eligible to obtain a security clearance if business objectives require it.

Qualified Skills: Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities: Required Ability to think strategically while analyzing complex legislative and regulatory issues. Must be an energetic self-starter capable of diplomatic interaction with senior executives and government officials.

Communication Skills: Required: Strong interpersonal communication skills, both spoken and written, and the proven ability to effectively lead corporate advocacy efforts across a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Complexity of the Role

Decisions & Recommendations: Develops positions on key issues and leverages Airbus’ reputation to impact policy discussions. Recommends tactical engagement strategies on legislative barriers or opportunities impacting Airbus programs.

Independent Decision-Making: Acts as an official spokesperson on specific issues and programs, requiring mature judgment in fast-moving political environments.

Environment & Change: Must operate effectively in a "fast moving" team environment, requiring participation in evening/weekend events and frequent travel.

Level of Decision Making: Level: Primarily Tactical with Strategic input. Impact: Engages business units to help develop strategic goals and actions tactical plans for implementation.

Job Dimensions

• Assists in managing external consultants and advisors.
• Strategic Influence: Direct lobbying accounts for 75% of the role, specifically targeting legislative goals related to appropriations and authorizations.
• Business Development: Providing support for new business opportunities, particularly for defense and helicopter programs, accounts for 25% of the role.

Nature of Contacts

Daily interaction with senior government officials, Members of Congress, and relevant associations/think tanks.

Primary Internal Audience

Head of Government Relations, senior Airbus executives, and business unit leadership.

Communication Type

Direct lobbying, influencing, and public speaking. Requires strong diplomatic skills to work with a broad range of individuals.

Physical Requirements

• Onsite or remote: Hybrid
• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
• Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.
• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visit, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Equal Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

Equal Opportunity: Airbus Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Airbus Group is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.

Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment.

Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

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Company: Airbus Americas, Inc. Employment Type: US - Direct Hire Experience Level: Professional Remote Type: Flexible Job Family: Legal