DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & BUS DEVELO

Bascom Hunter; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Bascom Hunter seeks a Director of Government Relations & Business Development to represent the company before DoD, Congress, and federal stakeholders. The role supports defense business development, capture activities, and strategic engagement with industry partners.

The ideal candidate has DoD and Capitol Hill experience, knowledge of defense electronics, and a strong grasp of federal spending and acquisition processes.
Location: Washington, DC or Baton Rouge, LA. Limited travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years in government relations, legislative affairs, or defense business development.
• Direct DoD and Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of defense electronics systems and federal budgeting processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a government relations strategy aligning priorities with Bascom Hunter's growth goals.
• Build relationships with congressional members, defense committees, DoD offices, and industry partners.
• Monitor defense budget, authorization, and procurement developments; brief leadership on implications.
• Educate policymakers on Bascom Hunter's capabilities; coordinate briefings and site visits.
• Collaborate with Growth Officer to integrate outreach with business development and capture.

Skills

DoD & Capitol Hill liaison

Defense electronics knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science / public policy / engineering or related field

Advanced degree a plus

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 OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & BUS DEVELO

Full Time Professional

Bascom Hunter - Washington DC-Baltimore Area (On-site)

Bascom Hunter is seeking a Director of Government Relations & Business Development to represent the company's interests before the Department of Defense, Congress, and other federal stakeholders while supporting defense business development and capture activities. This individual will build relationships with DoD offices, congressional members and staff, and industry partners; connect Bascom Hunter's technical capabilities with federal funding and acquisition priorities; and help turn emerging opportunities into competitive pursuits. The ideal candidate brings experience with DoD and Capitol Hill, knowledge of defense electronics, and an understanding of federal defense spending and acquisition processes.

Company Overview

Bascom Hunter is an aerospace and defense contractor delivering mission-critical solutions to the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and prime contractor partners. Our team supports national security priorities through engineering, technical, and program services performed under strict compliance with U.S. Government contracting, security, and export-control requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a government relations strategy advancing Bascom Hunter's legislative, regulatory, appropriations, and growth priorities.
• Build and sustain relationships with congressional members and staff, defense committees, DoD offices, program executive offices, and acquisition organizations.
• Monitor defense authorization, appropriations, budget, and acquisition developments; advise leadership on implications and opportunities.
• Educate policymakers and government stakeholders on Bascom Hunter's capabilities; coordinate briefings, site visits, and technology demonstrations.
• Partner with the Chief Growth Officer to align congressional outreach, program funding initiatives, and government relations activities with business development priorities.
• Represent Bascom Hunter in relevant industry associations and coalitions, including NDIA, AFCEA, and AIA.
• Identify and pursue congressional add requests and program-specific funding opportunities, where appropriate, and prepare supporting briefings and position papers.
• Ensure government relations activities comply with lobbying disclosure, procurement integrity, ethics, and other applicable federal requirements.
• Identify, qualify, and develop new business opportunities across DoD, federal agencies, and prime contractors; cultivate customer and teaming-partner relationships.
• Support and lead selected capture efforts, including customer engagement, opportunity assessments, competitive positioning, win strategies, and capture plans.
• Coordinate with engineering, program management, pricing, and proposals teams on bid/no-bid decisions, teaming strategies, and proposal development to improve pursuit competitiveness.

Reports To:

Chief Growth Officer

Location:

Washington, D.C. or Baton Rouge, LA. Limited travel required.

Clearance:

Active or reinstateable U.S. Government security clearance preferred; must be able to obtain and maintain a clearance as a condition of employment

Citizenship:

U.S. Citizenship required per contractual and export-control requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
• 8+ years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, DoD acquisition, defense business development, or capture management; direct DoD and Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of defense electronics systems, technologies, or programs (e.g., RF/microwave, sensors, EW, avionics, or related subsystems).
• Established relationships with defense-focused congressional offices, committee staff, and relevant DoD organizations.
• Strong understanding of the federal budget cycle, defense authorization and appropriations process, and DoD acquisition system.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefings and position papers for senior leadership and government audiences.
• Ability to travel regularly between Bascom Hunter facilities, Washington, D.C., and customer locations.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior service as active-duty military, DoD civilian, or congressional staff with direct exposure to defense acquisition or authorization/appropriations processes.
• Existing active security clearance.
• Engineering or technical background in defense electronics, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into policy-relevant terms.
• Experience registered as a federal lobbyist or supporting registered lobbying activity.
• Familiarity with Bascom Hunter's core markets and existing DoD customer base; experience developing defense opportunities and capture plans preferred.

Compliance Notice

This position may require access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), classified information, or export-controlled technical data. Employment is contingent upon the ability to meet all applicable eligibility, citizenship, and government security requirements. All government relations and lobbying activities must be conducted in full compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, federal ethics and gift rules, procurement integrity regulations, and Bascom Hunter's internal compliance policies. Bascom Hunter is committed to full compliance with all export control (ITAR/EAR) and government contracting regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bascom Hunter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.